Associate Director

Scale Careers; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Scale Careers in Dublin seeks an experienced Aviation Studio Lead to head the aviation studio, driving the design and delivery of major international airport projects and shaping the practice's aviation offering across Ireland and Europe.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor designers and engineers, manage client partnerships and contribute to business development while aligning with senior leadership across the international studio network.

Qualifications

• Qualified Architect with substantial experience in international architecture or multidisciplinary design practice.
• Extensive experience in aviation, including airports, terminals, expansions or refurbishments.
• Proven leadership at senior levels (Studio Lead/Director/Associate Director/Principal).
• Strong understanding of airport planning, passenger experience and aviation operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the aviation studio in Dublin, overseeing design, coordination and delivery of major airport and aviation projects.
• Provide strategic and architectural leadership across international aviation developments, including terminals and related infrastructure.
• Oversee projects from feasibility through design development, technical delivery and construction.
• Build and maintain relationships with aviation clients, operators and stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop architectural teams and contribute to new business opportunities.

Skills

Architectural leadership

Aviation sector experience

Client facing

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Business development

BIM / Revit

Design coordination

Education

Qualified Architect

Tools

BIM / Revit

Job description

A leading international architecture and design practice is looking to appoint an experienced Aviation Studio Lead to join its Dublin office, taking a senior leadership role within its growing aviation team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the design and delivery of large-scale international airport and aviation projects, while playing a key role in developing the practice's aviation offering across Ireland and the wider European market. The practice is seeking an accomplished architectural leader with a strong background in aviation, excellent client-facing capabilities and experience managing multidisciplinary design teams. The successful candidate will combine design leadership, project delivery and commercial awareness, helping to shape the strategic direction and continued growth of the studio. Working closely with senior leadership across the wider international business, the Aviation Studio Lead will oversee major aviation projects, develop client relationships, mentor architectural teams and contribute to new business opportunities.

Job Description

• Lead and develop the aviation studio in Dublin, overseeing the design, coordination and delivery of major airport and aviation projects.
• Provide strategic and architectural leadership across international aviation developments, including airport terminals, terminal expansions, refurbishments and associated infrastructure.
• Take responsibility for the overall quality of architectural design, ensuring projects meet client expectations, operational requirements and commercial objectives.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating architects, designers, engineers, specialist consultants and external stakeholders.
• Oversee projects from early feasibility and concept design through design development, technical delivery and construction.
• Act as a senior point of contact for key aviation clients, airport operators, consultants and project stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, identifying opportunities for repeat business and long-term partnerships.
• Support business development activities, including identifying new opportunities, preparing proposals, participating in interviews and contributing to competitive bids.
• Work closely with international studio leaders to develop the practice's aviation portfolio and strengthen its presence across the European market.
• Oversee project programmes, resources, budgets and deliverables, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and to a consistently high standard.
• Provide design direction and technical oversight, ensuring architectural solutions respond to complex airport operations, passenger requirements and regulatory constraints.
• Lead internal design reviews, client presentations and project coordination meetings.
• Support recruitment, team development and resource planning as the aviation studio continues to grow.
• Mentor and develop architects, designers and project leaders, encouraging collaboration, professional development and design excellence.
• Promote effective collaboration between the Dublin studio and the practice's wider international aviation teams.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the studio, supporting operational improvements, commercial performance and long-term growth.

Key Skills

• Qualified Architect with substantial experience working within a recognised international architecture or multidisciplinary design practice.
• Extensive experience within the aviation sector, ideally involving major international airports, terminal developments, expansions or refurbishment programmes.
• Proven experience operating at Studio Lead, Director, Associate Director, Principal or equivalent senior leadership level.
• Strong understanding of airport planning, terminal design, passenger experience and the operational requirements of aviation environments.
• Experience leading large-scale, technically complex architectural projects across multiple design and delivery stages.
• Demonstrable experience managing multidisciplinary architectural and engineering teams.
• Strong client-facing capabilities, with experience developing and maintaining relationships with airport operators, developers and other major stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness, including experience managing project budgets, fees, resources and delivery programmes.
• Experience contributing to business development, project pursuits, fee proposals and client presentations.
• Ability to balance architectural design quality with operational, technical and commercial project requirements.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary coordination, project delivery processes and construction documentation.
• Experience overseeing BIM-led project delivery, with knowledge of Revit and other digital design platforms advantageous.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities, with experience developing teams and supporting career progression.
• Experience working on international aviation projects and collaborating with geographically distributed design teams.
• A proactive, commercially minded approach with the ability to contribute to the strategic growth of an architectural studio.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Aviation Director, Studio Lead or senior architectural leader looking to take on a significant leadership position within a highly regarded international architecture and design practice. The role offers the chance to lead a growing aviation team in Dublin, working on major international airport and terminal developments while contributing to the strategic direction and expansion of the practice's aviation business. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to combine hands-on architectural leadership with broader responsibilities across client relationships, business development, team management and studio growth. Working closely with established international aviation specialists, they will play an important role in strengthening the Dublin studio's capabilities, developing its project portfolio and building long-term relationships with key clients. The practice offers a collaborative international working environment, exposure to high-profile aviation projects and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the continued growth of its aviation division.