Associate Architect

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Associate Architect to join the Birmingham studio of a well-established, nationally recognised architectural practice at a genuinely exciting stage of its development.

With a rich history dating back over 100 years, the practice has grown into a collaborative, multi-disciplinary organisation with more than 65 professionals working across six UK offices. Its portfolio spans a diverse range of sectors including education, healthcare, residential, industrial and commercial, higher education, science and research, heritage, hospitality, sports and leisure, and masterplanning.

The Birmingham studio is currently a close-knit team of four and is entering an exciting period of significant growth, with the ambition to reach around 10 people by mid-2027.

For the right individual, this role offers considerably more than a traditional Associate position. The long-term vision is for the successful candidate to take ownership of the Birmingham studio and ultimately lead and run the office themselves, making this an outstanding opportunity for an architect with genuine leadership ambitions and the potential to progress towards Director level.

The Role

As Associate Architect, you will play a key role in the continued development of the Birmingham studio, combining project delivery, design leadership, client management and business development with the opportunity to shape the direction and culture of the growing office.

Initially working alongside the existing Birmingham team and wider national practice, you will progressively take greater responsibility for the studio's projects, people and commercial development.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the design and delivery of architectural projects across a range of sectors.
• Taking responsibility for projects from early concept and feasibility through to completion.
• Providing architectural leadership and technical direction to project teams.
• Managing and mentoring junior members of the Birmingham team.
• Supporting the continued recruitment and development of the growing studio.
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Liaising with consultants, contractors, planning authorities and other project stakeholders.
• Overseeing the production of high-quality design and technical information.
• Ensuring projects are delivered to the required programme, budget and quality standards.
• Supporting the preparation and submission of planning applications.
• Contributing to project fee proposals, scopes and resource planning.
• Identifying opportunities for new work and supporting wider business development activity.
• Representing the practice at industry events and within the wider Birmingham architectural and property community.
• Helping to establish and develop the identity, culture and reputation of the Birmingham studio.
• Ultimately taking responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Birmingham office.

A Genuine Leadership Opportunity

The most exciting aspect of this position is the long-term career trajectory.

The Birmingham office is deliberately being built for growth, and the successful Associate Architect will be expected to become increasingly influential as the team expands. As the studio develops, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of its people, projects, clients and commercial performance.

The ultimate objective is for the successful individual to become the person who runs the Birmingham office, with the potential for progression to Director level for someone who demonstrates the leadership, commercial awareness and ambition to take the studio forward.

This would suit an architect who has perhaps reached Associate level already, or a Senior Architect looking for a genuine step up into leadership, rather than simply another title.

About You

You will be an ARB-registered Architect with strong post-qualification experience and a proven track record of delivering projects within a professional architectural practice.

Ideally, you will have:

• Significant post-qualification experience within architectural practice.
• A wealth of experience taking projects through multiple RIBA stages.
• Strong design and technical capabilities.
• Excellent knowledge of UK planning and Building Regulations.
• Experience managing projects, teams and consultant relationships.
• Strong client-facing and communication skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior colleagues.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of project fees, resource management and profitability.
• An interest in business development and building new client relationships.
• Strong Revit/BIM experience would be advantageous.
• The confidence and personality to represent the practice externally.
• A collaborative, proactive and entrepreneurial approach.
• Most importantly, the ambition to build and eventually lead a successful architectural studio.

Sector experience across any of the practice's diverse portfolio would be welcomed, including education, healthcare, residential, industrial and commercial, higher education, science and research, heritage, hospitality, sports and leisure and masterplanning.

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to join a growing office before it has reached its full potential.

Rather than inheriting an established team, you will have the opportunity to help build the Birmingham studio from the ground up influencing its culture, recruitment strategy, project portfolio, client base and future direction.

You will have the support and resources of an established national practice behind you, while enjoying the autonomy and influence that comes with being a key figure within a smaller, developing studio.

The Package

• £50,000 £60,000+ salary, depending on experience.
• Generous benefits package.
• Hybrid working typically 3 days in the Birmingham office and 2 days from home.
• Agile working environment.
• Continuous Professional Development programme.
• Rewards and recognition initiatives.
• Regular social events and team activities.
• Opportunity to help shape and grow a brand-new Birmingham studio.
• Significant autonomy and responsibility as the office develops.
• Clear long-term progression towards Studio Lead / Director level.
• The backing, resources and project diversity of an established national practice.
• Investors in People Gold employer.

Apply Now

If you're an ambitious Associate Architect or Senior Architect who wants more than simply the next step on the career ladder, this is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of your future.

With the long-term objective of leading and running the Birmingham office, this position offers the potential to build a team, develop a client base, shape a studio and ultimately progress to Director level.

Contact Ashley Johnson at Conrad Consulting to discuss in further detail on (phone number removed), or forward your up to date and CV through to Ashley for consideration.