Architectural Graduate/Designer (2-5yr) - Client Side

Grada Recruitment; Waitakere Ranges; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tech tools access

Senior mentorship

Lifecycle exposure

Job summary

Grada Recruitment is partnered with a leading New Zealand retail property developer seeking a hands-on architect to gain NZRAB experience across concept to construction. You’ll work in a rotating studio, develop design packages and contribute at stage gates, with guidance from senior architects and regular reviews.

Ideal candidates have 2–5 years in architectural practice or client-side roles, with strong communication and a willingness to learn.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years' experience in an architectural practice or client-side environment.
• Actively building NZRAB experience areas, with genuine support to progress toward registration.
• Revit experience preferred
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to ask questions early

Responsibilities

• Develop design packages with guidance, contributing to concept, developed design and consent documentation
• Take a small project stage end to end with light review as you progress
• Support consultant coordination and code compliance within your scope
• Work to regular direction, with your work reviewed at each stage gate
• Collaborate across departments and directly alongside the construction team
• Use BIM360, cloud-based tools, and emerging AI workflows as part of day‑to‑day delivery

Skills

NZRAB experience

Communication

Teamwork

Revit

Tools

BIM360

AI workflows

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

My client is one of New Zealand's largest privately owned retail property development and management companies, with a portfolio spanning major town centres across Auckland and Tauranga. They run an internalised in-house Design & Architecture division, giving the team full visibility across the project lifecycle, from concept through to construction, working hands‑on with tools like BIM360, cloud laser scanning, and AI-integrated workflows, and collaborating directly with the construction team.

About the Role

A hands‑on delivery role within a rotating, collaborative studio structure. You'll develop design packages with guidance from senior architects, contributing across concept, developed design and consent documentation, with your work reviewed at each stage gate. As you build confidence, you'll take a small project stage end to end with light review. This is a genuine environment to build your NZRAB experience areas, with exposure across the full lifecycle through to construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop design packages with guidance, contributing to concept, developed design and consent documentation
• Take a small project stage end to end with light review as you progress
• Support consultant coordination and code compliance within your scope
• Work to regular direction, with your work reviewed at each stage gate
• Collaborate across departments and directly alongside the construction team
• Use BIM360, cloud-based tools, and emerging AI workflows as part of day‑to‑day delivery

About You

• 2–5 years' experience in an architectural practice or client-side environment
• Actively building your NZRAB experience areas, with genuine support to progress toward registration
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to ask questions early

Comfortable working to direction, and keen to take more ownership as you develop

About my client

My client is one of New Zealand's largest privately owned retail property development and management companies, with a portfolio spanning major town centres across Auckland and Tauranga. They run an internalised in‑house Design & Architecture division, giving the team full visibility across the project lifecycle, from concept through to construction, working hands‑on with tools like BIM360, cloud laser scanning, and AI‑integrated workflows, and collaborating directly with the construction team.

About the Role

A hands‑on delivery role within a rotating, collaborative studio structure. You'll develop design packages with guidance from senior architects, contributing across concept, developed design and consent documentation, with your work reviewed at each stage gate. As you build confidence, you'll take a small project stage end to end with light review. This is a genuine environment to build your NZRAB experience areas, with exposure across the full lifecycle through to construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop design packages with guidance, contributing to concept, developed design and consent documentation
• Take a small project stage end to end with light review as you progress
• Support consultant coordination and code compliance within your scope
• Work to regular direction, with your work reviewed at each stage gate
• Collaborate across departments and directly alongside the construction team
• Use BIM360, cloud-based tools, and emerging AI workflows as part of day‑to‑day delivery

About You

• 2–5 years' experience in an architectural practice or client-side environment
• Actively building your NZRAB experience areas, with genuine support to progress toward registration
• Revit experience preferred
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to ask questions early

Comfortable working to direction, and keen to take more ownership as you develop

What's on Offer

• 70K - 90k dependent on experience
• Access to leading tech tools (BIM360, cloud laser scanners, AI integration)
• Structured exposure across NZRAB experience areas, with senior mentorship
• Full visibility across the entire project lifecycle, through to construction

Thinking about a move client side?

Client-side roles like this don't come up often, and they're a genuinely different way to work. You see your projects through to construction rather than handing them over, you sit alongside the people building them, and your exposure across the lifecycle is far broader than a typical practice role at this level.

If that's the direction you've been considering, even if you're not actively looking right now, get in touch for a confidential chat. Happy to talk through what client side actually looks like day to day and whether it's the right fit for where you want to take your career.