Design Architect

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement support

Career development

Paid holidays

Family leave

Licensure reimbursement

In-house mentorship

Job summary

SOM London is seeking a hands-on Associate Designer with 8+ years' experience to lead design on large, complex projects from first principles through schematic design. This senior studio role focuses on staying close to the work and leading through the design itself, not design management.

Portfolios must be submitted. The role offers medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement support, in-house career development, paid holidays, family leave and support for licensure costs, with

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years leading architectural design.
• Experience developing concepts for large projects through schematic design.
• Experience leading teams, projects or significant design workstreams.
• Strong judgment across form, programme, structure, material, environmental performance and context.
• Ability to turn complex ideas into clear narratives and presentations.
• Experience advising senior clients and guiding interdisciplinary teams.
• Record of mentoring designers and contributing positively to studio culture.
• Professional registration mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead design direction on large, complex projects from first principles through schematic design.
• Recognise, strengthen and communicate emerging design ideas.
• Set the cadence across teams with clarity, momentum and consistency.
• Lead teams and workstreams while staying hands-on in the design.
• Build design narratives connecting concept, context, programme, structure, material and experience.
• Shape presentations with a strong editorial eye and persuasive visual storytelling.
• Translate design ambition into coherent spatial, structural, environmental and material strategies.
• Guide senior clients and collaborators through complex design decisions.
• Lead interdisciplinary reviews and maintain design quality.
• Work closely with clients, consultants and SOM's global studios.
• Mentor designers and contribute to studio culture.
• Contribute to competitions, pitches and new business.
• Help shape the wider creative direction of SOM London.

Skills

Lead design

Team leadership

Concept development

Editorial storytelling

Presentations

Client guidance

Mentoring

Education

Professional registration (architect)

Job description

Associate Designer – SOM London

We are seeking a hands‑on Associate Designer with 8+ years' experience to lead design on large, complex projects from first principles through schematic design. This senior studio role focuses on staying close to the work and leading through the design itself, not design management.

Responsibilities

• Lead design direction on large, complex projects from first principles through schematic design
• Recognise, strengthen and communicate emerging design ideas
• Set the cadence across teams with clarity, momentum and consistency
• Lead teams and workstreams while staying hands‑on in the design
• Build design narratives connecting concept, context, programme, structure, material and experience
• Shape presentations with a strong editorial eye and persuasive visual storytelling
• Translate design ambition into coherent spatial, structural, environmental and material strategies
• Guide senior clients and collaborators through complex design decisions
• Lead interdisciplinary reviews and maintain design quality
• Work closely with clients, consultants and SOM's global studios
• Mentor designers and contribute to studio culture
• Contribute to competitions, pitches and new business
• Help shape the wider creative direction of SOM London

Qualifications

• At least 8 years leading architectural design
• A clear record of developing concepts for large, complex projects through schematic design
• Experience leading teams, projects or significant design workstreams
• Strong judgement across form, programme, structure, material, environmental performance and context
• Ability to turn complex ideas into clear narratives and presentations
• Experience advising senior clients and guiding interdisciplinary teams
• A record of mentoring designers and contributing positively to studio culture
• Professional registration mandatory

Portfolio Guidance

Portfolios must be submitted. The portfolio should clearly identify your individual contributions and show design leadership through a project's development from concept to schematic design. Final renders or completed project photography alone will not be sufficient. Submit a PDF attachment of 10–20 pages (max 5MB).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, life and accident insurance
• Retirement support
• Free access to employee assistance programs for employees and family members
• Workplace flexibility
• Paid holidays
• Family leave and paid time off
• Reimbursement of professional license, certification and exam costs
• In‑house career development and mentorship programs

Equal Opportunity

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.