Associate / Associate Director | Architecture & Masterplanning

MADE Careers; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working

Enhanced annual leave and pension

Employee owned practice

Learning and professional development

Job summary

MADE Careers in Birmingham is seeking a design-led Associate or Associate Director to join its growing studio. You will lead design across a varied portfolio, generating strong ideas from inception through development, and collaborate with clients and consultants.

The role emphasizes leading design teams, masterplanning experience, and a broad, multi-sector approach. Hybrid and flexible working, enhanced annual leave, and an employee-owned practice are offered as part of a comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• Associate level or above within a recognised architecture or design practice.
• Standout, design-led portfolio across a mix of sectors and project types.
• Strong conceptual design ability and architectural judgement.
• Masterplanning experience within the portfolio would be particularly valuable.
• Experience on larger scale, mixed-use, regeneration or complex projects advantageous.
• Excellent sketching, graphic communication and presentation skills.
• Confidence leading design teams and presenting ideas to clients.
• Able to work across different scales, sectors and stages rather than being defined by one specialism.
• Collaborative, ambitious and keen to contribute to a growing studio.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design direction of projects from early concept onwards.
• Develop strong architectural and masterplanning ideas.
• Lead design reviews, workshops and client presentations.
• Guide and inspire project teams.
• Work collaboratively across architecture, urban design and other disciplines.
• Build strong relationships with clients and consultants.
• Contribute to the wider creative direction and growth of the Birmingham studio.

Skills

Design-led portfolio

Leadership of design teams

Masterplanning experience

Client presentations

Strong conceptual design

Job description

MADE Careers is working with a leading international architecture practice looking for a design led Associate or Associate Director to join its growing Birmingham studio.

This is less about finding someone from one particular sector and more about finding a really strong all round designer; someone with a varied portfolio, excellent design instincts and the experience to take a leading role across projects and teams.

A background that includes masterplanning or larger scale, mixed-use projects would be particularly useful, alongside experience across other sectors.

The Role

Working alongside with the Studio Lead and wider senior team, you’ll take a leading design role across a varied portfolio of projects, helping establish strong ideas from the outset and carrying that thinking through as projects develop.

You’ll lead and support design teams, work directly with clients and consultants, and contribute to the wider design culture of the Birmingham studio.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design direction of projects from early concept onwards
• Develop strong architectural and masterplanning ideas
• Lead design reviews, workshops and client presentations
• Guide and inspire project teams
• Work collaboratively across architecture, urban design and other disciplines
• Build strong relationships with clients and consultants
• Contribute to the wider creative direction and growth of the Birmingham studio

Requirements

• Associate level or above within a recognised architecture or design practice
• A standout, design led portfolio across a mix of sectors and project types
• Strong conceptual design ability and architectural judgement
• Masterplanning experience within your portfolio would be particularly valuable
• Experience on larger scale, mixed-use, regeneration or complex projects advantageous
• Excellent sketching, graphic communication and presentation skills
• Confidence leading design teams and presenting ideas to clients
• Able to work across different scales, sectors and stages rather than being defined by one specialism
• Collaborative, ambitious and keen to contribute to a growing studio
• Competitive salary + extensive benefits package
• Employee owned practice
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Enhanced annual leave and pension
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• UK and international project exposure
• Strong progression opportunities within a growing regional studio

Why This Role

This is a great fit for a senior architect who is a designer first and wants a role with plenty of variety.

Rather than being brought in to service one sector, you’ll have the opportunity to work across different project types and scales, including masterplanning, while taking a senior role in the design culture and continued growth of the Birmingham studio.