Associate Director | Education

MADE Careers; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

MADE Careers is partnering with a leading international architecture and design practice to appoint an Associate Director in Birmingham. The role blends leadership, client development and project oversight, with a strong emphasis on education sector knowledge and regional growth across the Midlands.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Studio Lead, guiding the Birmingham team, winning new work and shaping the studio’s next growth phase within the Midlands market.

Qualifications

• Qualified Architect with experience at Associate or Associate Director level.
• Strong track record in a recognised UK architecture practice.
• Experience in UK education projects highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop client relationships and build new opportunities across the Midlands and wider UK.
• Lead client conversations, pitches and bids with the leadership team.
• Provide senior oversight across projects and multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior staff.

Skills

Client relationships

Leadership

Business development

Education sector knowledge

Education

Architecture degree

Job description

MADE Careers is partnering with a leading international architecture and design practice looking to appoint an Associate Director to join the senior leadership of its growing Birmingham studio.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Architect who wants to take on a broader role beyond project delivery, working closely with the Studio Lead to develop client relationships, win new work and help grow the regional business and team.

We’re particularly interested in people with a strong background in the UK education sector, bringing established sector knowledge and relationships alongside the leadership and commercial drive to help build the studio’s wider presence across the Midlands.

The Role

You’ll work closely with the Studio Lead as a senior figure within the Birmingham team, combining client development, work winning, team leadership and project oversight.

There’s already an established platform to build from, but plenty of opportunity to develop new relationships and help shape where the studio grows next. You’ll be visible in the market, developing opportunities and representing the practice, while providing leadership and support to the wider architectural team.

This could suit an established Associate Director or a strong Associate ready for the next step, particularly someone who has built a good network within education and the wider Midlands market.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Studio Lead to support the continued growth of the Birmingham studio
• Develop existing client relationships and build new ones across the Midlands and wider UK
• Identify opportunities and play an active role in winning new work
• Bring sector knowledge and relationships, particularly across UK education
• Lead client conversations, pitches and bids alongside the wider leadership team
• Provide senior oversight across projects and multidisciplinary teams
• Lead, mentor and develop architects within the studio
• Support wider business development and regional growth strategy
• Represent the practice across the Midlands architecture and property market

Requirements

• Qualified Architect with experience at Associate or Associate Director level
• Strong track record within a recognised UK architecture practice
• Experience across UK education projects would be highly advantageous
• Strong client relationships and confidence developing new opportunities
• Experience contributing to work winning, pitches and bids
• Good network across the Midlands and/or relevant UK client markets
• Strong project and team leadership experience
• Commercially aware with an understanding of how successful studios and projects operate
• Confident working directly with clients and senior stakeholders
• Ambitious, personable and motivated by the opportunity to help grow a regional studio

Why This Role

This is a particularly good opportunity for someone looking for more influence over the growth of a studio and business, rather than simply taking on a bigger portfolio of projects.

You’ll work closely with the Studio Lead, with the backing of a major international practice, but within a growing Birmingham team where your relationships, ideas and ability to develop new work can have a real impact on its next stage of growth.