Junior Architect

SSP Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts across brands

Health and wellbeing support

Hybrid working flexibility

Training and development programmes

Job summary

SSP Group is seeking an experienced architect/designer to provide architectural design support across its capital project portfolio. You will lead feasibility studies, develop test-fit layouts and produce professional drawings, coordinating with SSP stakeholders, external architects and franchise partners to align with brand requirements.

You will translate commercial and operational needs into practical design solutions, maintain design governance, and contribute to successful project approvals

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in Architecture or related design discipline.
• Ability to produce feasibility studies and test-fit layouts.
• Strong drawing production and design presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide architectural design support across capital projects from feasibility to construction.
• Produce architectural drawings, layouts, and design information for each project.
• Coordinate design inputs with SSP stakeholders and external partners.
• Ensure design solutions meet commercial, operational, site and brand requirements.
• Support franchise partner design approval processes and reflect brand standards.

Skills

Architectural design

Feasibility studies

Communication skills

Project coordination

Attention to detail

Reading drawings

Education

Degree in Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

REVIT

SketchUp

Job description

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Working closely with the Head of Design, you’ll provide architectural design support across SSP’s capital project portfolio, taking projects from feasibility and concept design through approvals, detailed design and construction. You’ll produce key drawings and layouts, coordinate design requirements with internal and external stakeholders, and help ensure each scheme meets commercial, operational, site and brand requirements.

What you'll be doing:

• Undertake project-specific feasibility studies, test-fit layouts and early-stage architectural design activities for new units, refurbishments and other live capital projects.
• Produce architectural drawings, layouts, presentations and design information required to evaluate, develop, approve and deliver individual projects.
• Translate commercial, operational, site, landlord and brand requirements into practical design solutions under the direction of the Head of Design.
• Support the development of project design briefs by coordinating the information required to establish the basis of design for each capital project.
• Collate and coordinate project-specific requirements including lease demise, surveys and existing site information, commercial assumptions, category mix, operational requirements, budget and programme.
• Coordinate design inputs and project information between SSP stakeholders, external architects, designers, consultants, landlords, franchise partners and other project participants.
• Review architectural and design information produced by external project teams, identifying missing information, conflicts or matters requiring clarification and escalating these to the Head of Design as appropriate.
• Assist with the progression of projects through internal design governance and the Schematic Design Committee process, coordinating submissions, comments, design actions and updated project information.
• Support the franchise partner design approval process by coordinating project-specific drawings, design submissions, comments and revisions with partners such as Starbucks, Tortilla and LEON.
• Interpret relevant franchise and brand design standards and coordinate with the Head of Design, architects and designers to ensure that these are appropriately incorporated into each project.
• Coordinate responses to franchise partner design comments and communicate agreed requirements to the relevant architects, designers and project stakeholders.
• Update project-specific drawings and design information to reflect agreed internal, landlord and franchise partner requirements.

What you'll be doing:

• Track design comments, decisions and outstanding information required to progress projects through design development and approval.
• Support architects and designers in resolving project-specific design queries by coordinating the required inputs from SSP’s commercial, operational and project stakeholders.
• Produce and coordinate project-specific design information required to support progression into detailed design, procurement and construction.
• Maintain accurate project drawing packages, approval records and design documentation throughout the project development lifecycle.
• Assist with the development of project-specific architectural details and design solutions that support the successful implementation of approved schemes.
• Undertake appropriate feasibility and early-stage design activities internally, helping to reduce reliance on external architectural and design consultants.
• Take responsibility for assigned project design deliverables and coordination activities, completing them accurately and in line with agreed project programmes.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Degree-level qualification in Architecture, Architectural Technology, Interior Architecture, Interior Design or another relevant design discipline.
• Architectural and spatial design capability, with the ability to produce feasibility studies and test-fit layouts.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD & REVIT and the ability to produce accurate and professional architectural drawings.
• Experience using SketchUp or equivalent 3D design software.
• Ability to interpret a project brief and translate commercial, operational and spatial requirements into practical design solutions.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, surveys and technical design information.
• Understanding of the principal stages of architectural design development and project delivery.
• Ability to produce clear drawings, layouts and presentation information for project review and approval.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, coordinated design information.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to work with architects, designers, consultants and franchise partners.
• An understanding of how operational, commercial, site and brand requirements influence project design.
• Ability to manage assigned design activities and deliverables to agreed project deadlines.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Experience producing feasibility studies or test-fit layouts for retail, food and beverage or other commercial spaces.
• Experience within retail, food and beverage, hospitality and/or travel environments.
• Experience working on airport, railway station or transport-related projects.
• Experience coordinating project information with external architects, designers or specialist consultants.
• Exposure to new-build, refurbishment or fit-out capital projects.
• Exposure to franchise or licensed brand design standards.
• Experience supporting internal, landlord or brand design review and approval processes.
• Understanding of food and beverage operational and back-of-house requirements.
• Understanding of existing building, landlord, lease and site constraints.
• Knowledge of relevant UK Building Regulations and accessibility requirements.
• Awareness of project budgets, programmes and the implications of design decisions on project delivery.
• Experience working across multiple live projects in a fast-paced commercial environment.

Why Join SSP

At SSP, we’re passionate about creating places people want to be - whether that’s for our customers, our partners or our colleagues.When you join us, you’ll be part of a business where commercial thinking, collaboration and ownership really matter, and where your work can make a visible difference.

We Offer

• Employee discounts across our brands
• Friends and Family Discount App
• Award-winning training, apprenticeships and development programmes
• Health and wellbeing support
• Hybrid working with flexibility to support work–life balance
• An inclusive and diverse workplace, with employee networks and communities

Start the best part of the journey with us.
At SSP, we value diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, skills and perspectives.