Associate Director – Full Time
Location: Leicester (UK travel as required)
My client, a well-established, award-winning multidisciplinary design practice, is seeking an Associate Director to join their Leicester office.
With multiple offices across the Midlands and London, they deliver inspiring projects nationwide, combining creativity, collaboration, and technical expertise.
Travel across their offices and project sites will be required to suit project needs.
As a 100% employee-owned business, my client fosters a culture built on strong values, shared purpose, and a commitment to excellence, holding Certified B Corporation™ status, Investors in People Gold accreditation, and supporting the Real Living Wage.
Why Join
- Flexible working arrangements and hybrid options
- Employee ownership – share in the practice’s success
- Ongoing CPD, mentoring, and career development opportunities
- Health cash plan and wellbeing support
- Be part of a culture that challenges and supports you to excel
Requirements
- Minimum 10 years’ industry experience with a strong portfolio demonstrating diverse projects, preferably in schools, industrial, or residential sectors
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Strong leadership and project management skills, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Thorough knowledge of all RIBA work stages
- A keen eye for design quality and attention to detail
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and other design software
- ArchiCAD experience is beneficial but not essential (training and CAD/BIM support provided)
Key Responsibilities
- Lead multidisciplinary project teams from concept through to completion
- Mentor and support team members, fostering collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence
- Contribute strategically to the wider direction of the office and practice
- Review, produce, and coordinate high-quality technical design information across all RIBA stages
- Conduct site visits and represent the studio externally, promoting its vision and values
- Act as a key client liaison, managing productive relationships with clients, consultants, and regulatory authorities
- Apply practical, problem-solving approaches to complex design challenges
- Travel to project sites across the UK as required
- Work independently and collaboratively within a team
To apply: Please submit your CV and portfolio demonstrating your leadership experience and project work.
If you meet the criteria listed above, please apply with a copy of your CV by pressing the apply button to be considered. We receive many applications so if you do not hear from us within 5 days, please consider your application unsuccessful this time. We will keep a copy of your details on file for future vacancies.
In accordance with GDPR, by applying for this position you give us your consent to process your data in-line with our Privacy and Data Protection Policies which can be read on the privacy policy page on our website.
*Where we indicate a band of PQE for a role, this indicates how long we would expect an architectural professional to take to gain the level of experience required in an appropriate context. It does not preclude applications from those with more or less PQE who can demonstrate that they have acquired the relevant experience.
