Confero Recruitment Group
Associate Director / Studio Lead (Architecture)
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Studio Lead - Architecture
A leading AJ100 practice is seeking a new Studio Leader to head up its Glasgow office. This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a high-performing team within a nationally recognized consultancy, known for delivering complex, meaningful projects across Education, Regeneration, Retail, Sports & Leisure, Infrastructure, and more.
The practice has been established for over 100 years, operates across multiple UK studios, and is majority employee-owned, giving its leaders genuine influence, long-term stability, and a voice in shaping the future of the business.
This role is ideal for a commercially minded, strategically driven Associate/Associate Director-level Architect who thrives on leadership, work-winning, and operational excellence.
The Opportunity
As Studio Leader, you will be responsible for:
- The commercial performance and strategic growth
- Operational leadership of the Glasgow studio
- Balancing hands-on project involvement with high-level leadership
- Ensuring the studio delivers exceptional design quality, technical rigour, and profitable outcomes
- Acting as part of the Operations Board, contributing to business strategy, regional growth, and long-term direction
Key Responsibilities
Sales, Work Winning & Client Development
- Lead and personally contribute to business development and client engagement
- Build and convert a strong pipeline of profitable opportunities
- Prepare and negotiate fee proposals, appointments, and contracts
- Represent the practice at industry events and networking forums
- Develop long-term client and partner relationships to support sustainable growth
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Delivery & Operational Leadership
- Oversee delivery of high-quality architectural and consultancy services
- Ensure design excellence, technical robustness, and strong quality assurance
- Maintain an active fee-earning role, contributing to project delivery and client work
- Support project teams at critical stages, ensuring programme, quality, and commercial targets are met
- Lead monthly WIP reviews and monitor studio-wide performance
Financial & Commercial Management
- Hold full accountability for studio P&L performance
- Manage budgeting, forecasting, utilisation, fee recovery, and resource planning
- Monitor commercial risks and operational efficiency
Leadership, Culture & People
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing, commercially aware team
- Set clear expectations around accountability, professionalism, and delivery
- Lead recruitment, succession planning, and team development
- Champion a positive, inclusive, and ambitious studio culture
About You
You will bring:
- Strong architectural design and technical delivery experience within a consultancy environment
- Proven senior leadership experience in architecture, engineering, or design
- A track record of:
- Work-winning
- Client development
- Profitable project delivery
- Strong commercial acumen and experience managing P&L performance
- Strategic leadership capability with excellent:
- Decision-making
- Stakeholder management
- The ability to balance leadership responsibilities with ongoing project involvement
- A proactive, ambitious, and accountable approach to studio leadership
- Strong understanding of:
- Quality assurance
- Governance
- Risk management
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Why Join?
This practice offers a supportive, people-focused culture with a strong emphasis on professional development, wellbeing, and work-life balance. Benefits include:
- Agile working (2 days working from home)
- Private medical cover
- Life assurance
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday off
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
- Payment of professional membership fees
- Salary sacrifice pension
- Cycle to Work & Electric Car schemes
- Eye care vouchers
- £1,000 employee referral scheme
- Majority employee-owned structure offering long-term stability and shared success
The Glasgow studio is centrally located, a short walk from Central and Queen Street Stations.
Apply
Confero Recruitment Group are the exclusive recruitment partners for this position.
Apply directly to this advert, or to express interest or request a confidential conversation, contact Graeme at Confero Recruitment Group.
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