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Director | Architecture Studio, Manchester
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About the Role
The client is an architectural practice with studios across the UK. Their Manchester office is medium-sized, delivering a broad range of projects across multiple sectors. They are now looking to appoint a Director to lead and grow the Manchester studio, reporting into the senior leadership team.
This is a newly created, strategic position and an important appointment for the practice. They are looking for an architect who enjoys leading people, building high-performing teams, and creating a positive studio culture. Someone who understands how to motivate individuals, nurture talent, and get the very best from those around them.
Alongside leading the studio, the role will have responsibility for business development, representing the practice at networking events, growing client relationships, and taking ownership of the studio's P&L.
The position would suit an Associate Director or Director who has perhaps reached a glass ceiling within a larger practice and is looking for greater autonomy, ownership, and the opportunity to shape the future of an office. It is effectively a small business within a well-established practice, offering the opportunity to make an impact on the long-term success and growth of the Manchester studio. It would suit a leader who may want to go out alone.
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Key Responsibilities
- Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing studio, fostering a positive and collaborative culture.
- Develop and implement the studio's business plan and growth strategy, working closely with the senior leadership team.
- Drive business development, build client relationships, and secure new and repeat work.
- Take ownership of the studio's commercial performance, including P&L, forecasting, and fee management.
- Provide design leadership, ensuring projects achieve the highest standards of design, technical quality, and client satisfaction.
- Represent the practice externally through networking, industry events, presentations, and thought leadership.
- Oversee the successful delivery of projects across the studio, ensuring programme, quality, commercial, and compliance objectives are achieved.
- Mentor and develop teams through coaching, performance management, and succession planning, creating opportunities for career progression.
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Experience
- ARB/RIBA accredited architect
- Experience leading architectural teams, studios, or sectors within a multidisciplinary practice.
- Track record of delivering profitable projects while maintaining high design and technical standards.
- Experience developing business plans, growth strategies, and achieving commercial KPIs.
- Proven success winning work through networking, client development, bids, and presentations.
- Experience overseeing multiple projects, ensuring quality, programme, fee performance, and client satisfaction.
- Strong mentoring and people management experience, including recruitment, performance reviews, and career development.
- Experience representing a practice at industry events, thought leadership opportunities, and professional bodies.
- Experience working collaboratively with senior leadership to shape the strategic direction and long-term growth of a practice.
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