Senior Architect

Fora; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Work from Anywhere 2 weeks

Pension 5% matched

Life assurance

Gym discount

Health cash plan

Mental Well-being support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Season Ticket Loan

25% off Fora cafés

Volunteer days

Employee Referral Scheme

Job summary

Fora is seeking a Senior Architect to shape design across our growing portfolio. Lead architectural and interior design from feasibility to on-site delivery, collaborating with Real Estate, Development, Operations and Marketing.

You’ll guide external partners while upholding Fora’s design principles and sustainability targets. The role combines creative leadership with technical detail, requiring strong Revit/AutoCAD skills and UK regulations knowledge.

Qualifications

• Strong post-qualification experience within commercial office, workplace or hospitality design.
• Strong interior design capability with materiality and design development.
• Experience leading projects through RIBA Stages 0-7 and managing multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural and interior design direction across new developments, refurbishments, portfolio interventions and workplace fit-outs.
• Develop strong concepts, space plans, layouts and material approaches translating Fora's design principles.
• Balance design quality with operational requirements and sustainability goals.
• Represent Fora in meetings with external architects, designers, engineers, cost consultants and contractors.

Skills

Office design

Interior design

Project leadership

RIBA Stages 0-7

Autodesk Revit

AutoCAD

UK Building Regulations

Stakeholder management

Education

Postgraduate Architecture degree

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

At Fora, we're reimagining what the workplace can be.

We create inspiring, design-led spaces that blend hospitality, community, and wellbeing, so people can work productively, creatively, and happily.

From our first London workspace over 20 years ago, we've grown to 60+ locations across the UK, supporting 30,000+ members and partnering with trailblazing brands.

Backed by The Office Group, Blackstone, and Brockton Capital, we're growing fast and pioneering conscious design, sustainable construction, and workspaces that empower people to work in their own unique way.

At Fora, we're not just shaping workplaces, we're shaping the future of work.

About the Company

At Fora, we're reimagining what the workplace can be.

We create inspiring, design-led spaces that blend hospitality, community, and wellbeing, so people can work productively, creatively, and happily.

From our first London workspace over 20 years ago, we've grown to 60+ locations across the UK, supporting 30,000+ members and partnering with trailblazing brands.

Backed by The Office Group, Blackstone, and Brockton Capital, we're growing fast and pioneering conscious design, sustainable construction, and workspaces that empower people to work in their own unique way.

At Fora, we're not just shaping workplaces, we're shaping the future of work.

The Role

We're looking for a Senior Architect to play a key role in shaping the design and evolution of Fora's growing portfolio.

This role brings together architectural rigour and interior design creativity. You'll lead design across projects ranging from potential acquisitions and new developments to refurbishments, portfolio enhancements and member workplace fit-outs, taking ideas from early feasibility and concept through technical design and on-site delivery.

Working across Design & Development, Real Estate, Commercial Insights, Operations, Finance, Sales and Marketing, you'll help ensure our spaces are distinctive, commercially considered and grounded in how people actually use them. You'll also collaborate closely with external architects, designers, consultants and contractors, acting as a guardian of Fora's design principles throughout the process.

This is a 12-month maternity leave cover.

Working Pattern

Please note this position is 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere.

Why This Role Matters

Design is fundamental to what makes a Fora workspace distinctive. This role has the opportunity to influence that experience across both our existing portfolio and future spaces.

You'll bring together creativity, technical expertise and commercial thinking, using data and post-occupancy insight alongside strong design judgement. Success means creating spaces that feel unmistakably Fora while working operationally, commercially and technically for the people who use them.

What You'll Be Doing

Design Leadership

• Lead the architectural and interior design direction across new developments, refurbishments, portfolio interventions and workplace fit-outs.
• Create strong concepts, space plans, layouts and material approaches that translate Fora's design principles into individual spaces.
• Balance design quality with operational requirements, sustainability goals, budget considerations and relevant data.
• Bring clarity and direction to multidisciplinary teams, coordinating different perspectives while protecting the overall design vision.

Acquisitions & New Opportunities

• Bring a design perspective to potential acquisitions, helping assess how new buildings could work for Fora and our members.
• Work with Real Estate and Development on site visits, building analysis, feasibility studies and due diligence.
• Develop and review space plans to test opportunities, constraints and key metrics.
• Help turn early-stage analysis into clear design recommendations that inform investment decisions.

Project Delivery

• Lead design through RIBA Stages 0-7, from strategic definition and early concepts through technical development, construction and in-use evaluation.
• Oversee presentations, drawing packages, specifications, technical detailing and stage reporting while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Represent Fora in meetings with external architects, designers, engineers, cost consultants and contractors, reviewing their work to safeguard design intent.
• Stay closely connected to delivery on site, resolving design queries and working with Development, project teams and FF&E colleagues to turn the design vision into reality.

Design Standards & Continuous Improvement

• Help develop and evolve Fora's Design Principles, applying them consistently while creating room for innovation and fresh ideas.
• Champion quality, user experience and sustainability throughout the design process.
• Use post-occupancy performance and data to understand how spaces are working and translate those findings into future design improvements.
• Contribute to the continued development of Fora's Autodesk Revit BIM environment and support colleagues through day-to-day design guidance.

Why Fora?

You’ll have the opportunity to influence design at portfolio level while remaining closely involved in the creative and technical detail of individual projects.

The breadth of the role means your work could begin with assessing the potential of a new building and continue through concept, detailed design and delivery, right through to understanding how the completed space performs in use. It’s an opportunity to see the real impact of your design decisions and apply those lessons across future projects.

Requirements

Essential Experience

• Strong post-qualification experience within commercial office, workplace or hospitality design.
• Strong interior design capability, with a refined understanding of materiality and design development.
• Experience leading projects through RIBA Stages 0-7 and managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Excellent technical and construction detailing knowledge, supported by a strong understanding of architectural, structural and MEP coordination.
• Excellent knowledge of UK Building Regulations and relevant statutory requirements.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating design iteration, concept development, interior design and technical detailing.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Adobe Creative Suite.
• A postgraduate degree in Architecture or Interior Design.

Desirable Experience

• ARB registration.
• Experience working client-side or extensively with end users.
• Understanding of FF&E procurement and specification.
• Knowledge of sustainability certifications such as BREEAM and WELL.
• Proficiency in relevant visualisation software.

Benefits

At Fora we energise and empower people to create their best work. We understand that in order to do that we need to support you every day, which is why we offer a range of benefits.

Please note this position is 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere.

Work Your Way

• Core working hours with flexibility- because life doesn't run 9-5
• Two weeks ‘Work from Anywhere' - swap your desk for a beach, a mountain... anywhere that inspires you

Time to Rest & Recharge

• 28 days' annual leave + bank holidays
• Your birthday off - celebrate you
• Buy additional annual leave to create even more time for what matters

Well-being & Security

• 5% matched pension scheme - supporting your future
• Life assurance for peace of mind
• Discounted gym membership to keep you feeling your best
• Access to our gyms and selected wellness classes with Restore at Fora
• Health cash plan - supporting day to day medical expenses
• Mental Well-being support - confidential in-person or online therapy sessions

Smarter, Greener Commuting

• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season Ticket Loan to make your journey easier and more affordable

Perks That Make You Smile

• 25% off at Fora cafés - your morning coffee just got better
• 2 x volunteer days / year
• Generous Employee Referral Scheme