Associate Architect (Bids + Proposals)

ZipRecruiter; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design-led architectural studio is searching for an Associate Architect to lead bids and proposals in their Central London office. This role requires a qualified architect with experience in international project proposals and strong strategic thinking, to work collaboratively with top-tier professionals in a dynamic environment. The studio offers competitive remuneration along with exciting opportunities for travel across Europe and the Middle East.

Benefits

Private healthcare

32 days’ holiday (including bank holidays)

Pension contribution

Opportunity for regular travel across EMEA + Europe

Qualifications

• Experience working on international bids and competitions from a London-based design studio.
• Strong experience in strategic thinking and storytelling to create compelling narratives.
• Experience with lead tracking and submissions management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review and strategic decisions for incoming bids and proposals.
• Collaborate with marketing and design teams to create compelling proposals.
• Manage multiple submissions and liaise with senior leadership during the proposals process.

Skills

International bids

Strategic thinking

Storytelling

Managing multiple submissions

Education

Qualified architect or design-trained professional

Tools

CRM tools

AI-driven research platforms

Job description

Job Description

Associate Architect – Bids & Proposals

Location: Central London (Office-based 5 days per week, with flexibility available to support those with family or caregiving commitments)

Salary: £70,000 to £80,000 + Highly Competitive Bonus

Start Date: Q2 / Q3 2025

Reporting To: London Studio Director

Grõ Careers is proud to be the exclusive recruitment partner for one of the world’s most design-led architectural studios …a practice with a celebrated legacy, now propelled by a bold and contemporary vision for the future.

This is a rare and defining moment to join the studio as it reimagines its and expands its global footprint.

Now officially operating as the firm’s global headquarters, the London office is at the heart of this transformation. Having grown from a 40 person team last year to an 80+ desk studio in a stunning river-side location in Central London, they’re building a studio environment that’s as inspiring as the work they create and designed to attract and nurture world-class architectural talent.

The Opportunity…

This is a rare opportunity for an architecturally trained professional with proven experience supporting or leading successful international bids and competitions, someone ready to step into a strategic Associate-level role that combines creativity, commercial thinking and leadership.

You will work as part of a high-trust trio alongside the London Studio Director and Director of Architecture, jointly responsible for reviewing all incoming leads, assessing strategic fit, shaping narratives, and advancing the studio’s business development efforts and global reputation.

In short, you will be supported by a first-class team of in-house experts at the top of their game, including graphic designers, PR and marketing specialists and branding professionals who are among the best in the industry. You will collaborate closely with them, helping guide and shape outputs that are as visually compelling as they are strategically sharp.

A Day in the Life…

• Kick off the day reviewing a series of RFPs and competition briefs. You lead the first-pass review, evaluating risks, deliverables, and alignment with studio priorities and key strengths.
• Mid-morning strategy session with the Operations and Architecture Directors to decide which opportunities to pursue, your opinion is pivotal here.
• Over lunch, you meet with the marketing and graphics team to storyboard a new proposal for a landmark cultural + hospitality project in the EMEA.
• In the afternoon, you dive into market intelligence platforms and AI tools to unearth new opportunities, spotting patterns and identifying clients before the competition.
• You wrap up the day fine-tuning a proposal layout with the branding team, ensuring the final document reflects the studio’s unique voice and vision.
• You may also find yourself prepping for travel to a pitch meeting in Milan or attending a regional design review in Dubai. This is a role that combines strategic influence with creative execution, and international visibility.

Why This Studio?...

• They build around people. Many in the team were hired into hybrid roles that match their wider skillset, from architecture to PM, to BD and ops, and have flourished as a result.
• They’re growing with intent. The London HQ is not a satellite, it’s the heart of their global operations, and your role is central to their next phase.
• You’ll have influence. This isn’t about just responding to briefs, you’ll help shape where the studio goes and how it gets there.
• You’ll be supported by the best. From designers to marketers, the quality of your collaborators will raise your game every day.
• There’s space to grow. The right candidate will have a clear pathway to shaping and leading a world-class proposals and business development function.

You Will Thrive Here If…

• You’re a qualified architect or design-trained professional with strong experience working on international bids, competitions or proposals from a London-based design studio.
• You love strategy, storytelling and design and know how to translate design values into compelling narratives.
• You’re comfortable managing multiple submissions at once, liaising with senior leadership, and delivering at pace.
• You’ve used (or are ready to learn) platforms for tracking leads, CRM tools, and AI-driven research to support work-winning.
• You’re motivated by the idea of travelling internationally to represent the studio and build its presence across Europe and the Middle East.

What’s on Offer…

• Salary: £70,000 to £80,000 (depending on experience)
• Bonus: Highly competitive year-end bonus
• Benefits: Private healthcare, 32 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), pension contribution
• Location: A fantastic riverside office in Central London
• Travel: Regular opportunities across EMEA + Europe for pitches, design reviews, and market development

If you’re ready to combine your architectural training with strategic influence and lead the proposals process for one of the world’s most design-led studios, we would love to hear from you!

This opportunity is available exclusively through Grõ Careers, the studio’s trusted recruitment partner for all current and future hires.

Applications are reviewed directly by our team and shortlisted candidates will be invited to book a one-on-one consultation with one of our specialist consultants.