Senior Architect, Design Lead

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Architect, Design Lead to join our studio.

This is a role for someone who thrives in the early stages of a project. Someone who enjoys turning complex opportunities into compelling design responses, shaping the narrative behind a project and leading multidisciplinary teams from first principles through to Development Application.

Working closely with the Directors and leadership team, you will lead the design vision across a diverse range of projects, preparing concept designs, planning reports, design statements and presentations that communicate a clear and persuasive story. You will guide clients through the design process, lead workshops, coordinate consultant input and ensure every project balances creativity, commercial outcomes and planning excellence.

While the role includes project leadership responsibilities, your primary focus will be on creating exceptional design outcomes that establish a strong foundation for successful delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership

• Lead the design direction of projects from feasibility through to Development Application.

• Develop compelling architectural concepts supported by strong planning and commercial thinking.

• Prepare concept design packages, Design Excellence Strategies, Design Reports, Statement of Environmental Effects inputs and other design narratives.

• Translate complex project constraints into clear, persuasive design stories through diagrams, visual communication and presentations.

Client & Project Leadership

• Build trusted relationships with clients and guide them through key design decisions.

• Lead design workshops, consultant coordination and stakeholder engagement.

• Manage programme, design quality and project milestones throughout the concept and approval phases.

Team Leadership

• Mentor architects and graduates, fostering a strong design culture within the studio.

• Lead multidisciplinary teams across architecture, interiors, landscape and urban design.

• Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and design excellence.

Technical & Strategic Excellence

• Ensure designs respond to Australian standards, planning controls and relevant legislation.

• Balance design ambition with commercial viability and project delivery requirements.

• Contribute to the continual evolution of our design processes, research and studio knowledge.

About You

You are a highly motivated architect with a strong portfolio demonstrating design leadership across various sectors. You enjoy solving complex problems, building compelling project narratives and communicating ideas that inspire clients, communities and project teams. You’re comfortable leading workshops, sketching ideas, preparing planning submissions and presenting design strategies with confidence.You combine creativity with commercial awareness and understand how to take a project from an ambitious idea to an approvable, buildable outcome. Most importantly, you’re curious, collaborative and excited by the opportunity to shape projects that have a lasting impact.

Required Skills & Experience

• Registered Architect (preferred) with 10+ years’ professional experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading concept design and Development Application projects.

• Strong portfolio showcasing design thinking, master planning, mixed-use or complex urban projects.

• Excellent written communication skills with experience preparing design reports, planning narratives and presentation material.

• Ability to storyboard and communicate design ideas through diagrams, sketches and visual presentations.

• High level Revit proficiency together with Adobe Creative Suite and visual communication tools.

• Strong understanding of Australian planning frameworks, building legislation and design compliance.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant teams and managing client relationships.

• Experience across multi-residential and mixed-use projects is highly regarded, but not essential.

About Us

We are an Australian architecture and design studio, established in 1983, known for our leadership in architecture and interiors. With studios in Sydney and Melbourne, our diverse portfolio reflects a commitment to innovative and impactful projects, from public and cultural works to urban regeneration and mixed-use precincts.

We believe that exceptional design is driven by collaborative creativity and respect for one another, our clients, and the broader community. If you are ready to reimagine what’s possible through design, we invite you to join us!

Why Join Our Team?

We’re committed to fostering growth, balance, and an inclusive work environment. When you join our design practice, you’ll benefit from:

• In-House Professional Development Mentoring Program

• Paid Parental Leave

• Supportive and Diverse Workplace Culture

• Architectural Registration Fee Reimbursement: We’ll cover your registration fees so you can focus on what you do best

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access free and confidential counselling services to support your well-being

• Annual Training Allowance: $1000 per year to invest in your continued professional development

• Weekly Forums and CPD Programs: Stay inspired and up-to-date with industry trends and directions

Applicants must hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

We encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, candidates with a disability, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

Agencies need not apply.