Associate Architect

Location: London (hybrid working with agreement, 3 days p/w in office)
Years of relevant experience: 6+ years min post Part lll
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum (DOE)
Hours: Full Time; 37.5h p/w
Contract Type: Permanent

The Role Overview 

Useful Studio is an architectural practice, B Corp and Social Enterprise. We are committed to being a force for good in the built and natural environment. Our work focuses on retrofit and new build, with strong roots in circular principles and positive social outcomes. We are busy with exciting projects in education, workplace and infrastructure.

We are looking for an experienced architect to join us as an Associate. You will lead and oversee several projects, taking responsibility for design quality, delivery and commercial performance, and coordinating the people and resources needed to achieve successful outcomes.

We are keen to meet candidates who combine strong architectural judgement with the ability to guide project teams and build trusted client relationships. You will share our commitment to lean design that is efficient and circular, help turn these ambitions into well-considered, deliverable schemes for buildings and infrastructure.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee several architectural projects, setting delivery priorities and taking accountability for agreed outcomes, design quality, programme and project risk.
• Guide briefs, concepts and design development, reviewing work and resolving complex design questions while maintaining architectural intent through technical development and delivery.
• Embed low carbon, reuse and circular design in project decisions, balancing environmental ambition with client needs, budget, programme and buildability.
• Manage project commercial performance, including fees, scope, budgets and forecasts. Identify changes early, agree additional services with clients and act on risks to project profitability within delegated authority.
• Guide project teams through clear briefs, delegation, design reviews and feedback on their work, helping colleagues resolve problems and take responsibility for their contributions.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, consultants and contractors, explaining design choices, managing expectations and resolving competing priorities.
• Identify opportunities for repeat and follow-on work through strong project delivery and an understanding of clients’ needs. Contribute to fee proposals for these opportunities and involve senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Develop professional networks and represent Useful Studio at relevant industry events, building relationships and sharing insight that supports the practice’s work and reputation.
• Coordinate design inputs and oversee appropriate reviews and compliance checks, seeking specialist advice and escalating significant technical, safety or contractual issues.
• Improve project delivery practices, apply lessons across projects and share architectural knowledge with colleagues to strengthen the quality and consistency of our work.

Key considerations:

• Substantial experience of leading architectural projects and overseeing more than one project at a time.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating design leadership, sound architectural judgement and successful delivery through relevant RIBA stages.
• Experience relevant to workplace, education and masterplanning projects, with an ability to adapt to different briefs and contexts.
• Proven experience of coordinating multidisciplinary project teams, allocating resources and balancing competing delivery priorities.
• Strong commercial understanding, including fees, scope management, project budgets, forecasting and the financial implications of design and delivery decisions.
• Confidence in guiding and reviewing others’ project work, providing clear direction and constructive feedback.
• A commitment and skill with low carbon, reuse and circular design, with evidence of applying these principles to architectural decisions.
• Expert knowledge of UK planning, Building Regulations and relevant health and safety requirements, with the judgement to seek specialist advice where needed.
• Experience of building client relationships, recognising opportunities for further work and developing professional networks.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain design decisions, negotiate priorities and resolve complex project issues.
• Confidence in digital design and BIM workflows, in Revit, sufficient to support with production while guiding and reviewing the team’s work.

Please upload your CV combined with a short, illustrated portfolio.

Who We Are
Useful Studio is an award-winning architectural practice sitting within the Useful Simple Trust (UST), a wider group of professional design and consultancy practices driving change in the built environment and including sister brands Expedition Engineering and Useful Projects.
We are addressing the significant issues of our time, including Net Zero carbon, circular economy, biodiversity gain, and social impact. Further to investing and growing our people as much as we do our business, we are a certified Carbon Literate Organisation and are committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Diversity statement

UST strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We are working to change the lack of representation of minority groups and are particularly keen to hear from anyone with relevant skills and experience who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We encourage people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women, people with different abilities, LGBTIQ+ community, gender, all age groups, and those with intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics to apply. We know that diversity makes us stronger, and we are committed to creating a working environment that is inclusive and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

What we offer:

• An entrepreneurial environment; we're open to new ideas.
• Supported route to ARB registration, including enhanced learning and development opportunities
• Flexible and hybrid working, including the possibility to work a compressed 9-day fortnight.
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.
• Service Recognition Awards.
• Working Nursery Scheme.
• Private medical insurance for you and your family.
• Annual Eyecare Plan.
• Life Assurance
• Company Pension Scheme (grade dependent, minimum of 6%)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family.
• Thriving Trust-wide social scene, including charitable activities.