The role requires ownership of projects from early concept through delivery and handover, acting as both Lead Architect and Design / Development Manager. You will be responsible for preparing and coordinating design information, managing consultants, protecting design quality, controlling technical compliance, and acting as a key interface between development, construction, consultants, and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
1. Architectural Leadership & Design Delivery
- Act as Lead Architect for multiple projects across residential, mixed‑use, or commercial developments
- Lead concept, planning, and technical design stages through to construction and completion
- Prepare, review, and sign off on architectural drawings, specifications, reports, and schedules
- Ensure design intent, quality, and commercial objectives are maintained throughout the project lifecycle
- Develop and maintain design standards, details, and technical guidelines aligned with company objectives
- Act as Design Manager from a developer’s perspective, overseeing internal and external designers
- Appoint, manage, and coordinate consultants (architecture, structures, MEP, fire, acoustic, façade, landscape, planning, specialists)
- Manage information flow, design programmes, deliverables, and approvals
- Lead design reviews, value engineering exercises, and risk mitigation workshops
- Ensure design coordination and clash‑free documentation before construction issues
- Own the design information process, including staging, gateway reviews, and audit trails
- Review and approve technical drawings, specifications, schedules, and outputs
- Ensure compliance with:
- Planning conditions
- Building Regulations
- Fire strategy and statutory requirements
- Employer’s Requirements and Development Brief
- Control document status, revisions, and issue procedures
- Work closely with Development, Commercial, and Construction teams to align design with budget, programme, and risk
- Review and manage consultant appointments, scopes of service, and fee proposals
- Review payment applications, milestone completions, and variation requests
- Support procurement by reviewing tender queries, contractor proposals, and technical submissions
- Maintain design ownership during construction, acting as the design authority
- Attend site regularly to review progress, quality, and compliance
- Review and respond to:
- RFIs and technical queries
- Shop drawings and samples
- Design changes and site instructions
- Ensure the built work reflects the approved design and specifications
- Act as a primary client‑side design lead, representing the company internally and externally
- Manage communication with:
- Internal development and construction teams
- Local authorities and statutory bodies
- External consultants and contractors
- Mentor and manage junior architects and assistants within the studio
- Support recruitment, workload planning, and capability development within the studio