Senior Associate/Project Director

Carrington West; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading architectural studio in London is seeking a Senior Associate / Project Director to lead architectural teams and manage large-scale projects. The role offers hybrid working and a competitive salary of up to £70,000. Ideal candidates will be ARB-registered architects with proven experience in managing complex projects and excellent client communication skills. Opportunities for professional development and collaboration in a supportive studio culture await you.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative studio culture

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success managing teams and leading complex projects.
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills.
• Sound knowledge of UK building regulations and construction methodology.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive design concepts across various typologies.
• Lead projects from briefing to completion, ensuring high-quality delivery.
• Define team structures and provide leadership and mentoring.
• Prepare and manage fee proposals, mitigating commercial risks.
• Oversee audits and ensure compliance with best practices.
• Build and maintain networks for repeat business and new opportunities.

Skills

Design Leadership

Project Delivery

Team Management

Commercial Oversight

Client Development

Education

ARB-registered Architect

Tools

Design and management software

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Senior Associate / Project Director
Location: London (Hybrid - 2 days/week in-office)
Salary: Up to £70,000 per annum + benefits

About the Practice

Join one of the UK's leading architectural studios based in central London, with a distinguished track record delivering bold, sustainable, and future-ready design solutions. With offices across multiple nations, this global practice is renowned for shaping complex and high-profile projects across sectors including aviation, transport, healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality.

From major international airports to award-winning educational campuses and rail hubs, this studio combines technical precision, aesthetic clarity, and environmental responsibility to bring ideas to life—whether on home ground or abroad.

The Opportunity

We're seeking a talented and driven Senior Associate / Project Director to lead architectural teams and project portfolios across all RIBA stages. This is a strategic design, leadership, and business development role, offering significant scope to shape large-scale, technically demanding, and visually striking schemes.

You'll work directly from the central London studio (just a short walk from the Thames), with flexible hybrid working—balancing team presence and individual autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Design Leadership - Develop and drive design concepts across a diverse range of typologies and scales.
• Project Delivery - Lead projects from early briefing to completion (RIBA 0-7), ensuring efficient, profitable, and high-quality delivery.
• Team Management - Define team structures and provide clear leadership, mentoring, and line management.
• Commercial Oversight - Prepare and manage fee proposals; identify and mitigate commercial risks.
• Quality Assurance - Oversee audits, ensure compliance with best practice, and uphold industry-leading standards.
• Client & Business Development - Build and maintain networks that bring repeat business and new opportunities to the studio.

What We're Looking For

• ARB-registered Architect with strong design and technical credentials.
• Demonstrated success managing teams and leading complex, multi-sector projects.
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills.
• Sound knowledge of UK building regulations and construction methodology.
• Proficiency with sector-relevant design and management software.
• A proactive leader with the ability to foster long-term relationships and identify commercial opportunities.

What's in It for You

• Competitive salary up to £70,000.
• Hybrid working with 2+ days in the Blackfriars studio.
• Opportunity to lead major international and UK-based projects.
• Professional development and clear career progression.
• Collaborative, innovative, and supportive studio culture.
• Be part of a global team shaping sustainable, people-centred environments.

Apply

Ready to make your mark? Submit your CV and portfolio, along with a brief cover letter, to (url removed).