Studio Director

Conrad Consulting have been retained on behalf of our partnered AJ00 Architectural Practice client in Leeds to recruit a new Studio Director to lead their Industrial and Logistics business across the north of the UK.

The successful candidate will be joining an established cross sector practice with an especially strong presence within the Industrial and Logistics sector, having designed and delivered over 100+ million square feet of diverse and wide ranging floorspace.

The Role: Studio Director / Industrial & Logistics Lead

The strategic Studio Director / Industrial and Logistics Lead appointment will be responsible for leading and managing all industrial projects within the Northern Leeds office. Reporting to the Leeds Partner and sector head, this exciting role will further reinforce our clients national reputation as one of the leading logistics architects in the UK, expanding capability and client reach, to lead and grow the established northern industrial team.

Key Responsibilities

Design: lead design for all northern industrial projects ensuring creative excellence, maintaining company values and business proposition of care.

Strategic & Creative direction: in conjunction with the Partners, agree a clear direction and strategy for the northern industrial sector and short / midterm income growth targets. Set design strategies that align with broader business goals and ensure that all projects align with the practice's standards for quality and innovation.

You will support the production and maintenance of sector-based material. You will be involved in supporting thought leadership opportunities.

Creating Opportunities: create opportunities in supporting the existing architectural design teams and by winning standalone projects to build a growing industrial and Logistics team within the Leeds office. This extends to supporting and growing existing client relationships and developing new business opportunities. It is expected that the successful candidate will help develop business development strategy, marketing collateral and add long-term value in the sector.

Team leadership: manage, mentor, and supervise staff within the team undertaking regular monthly 1:1s and quarterly Performance Reviews.

Client management: maintain and grow strategic client relationships through your proactive engagement in business development, creating BD opportunities. You will ensure that design visions are aligned with project objectives and client expectations. Maintain regular dialogue with all SGP internal stakeholders (Partners, Sector Heads and Service Leads / Studio Directors) to engage in cross sector selling / service provision.

Other consultants and contractors: actively engage with other consultants and contractors to promote SGP's industrial capability and to win new work.

Project oversight: oversee all bids and projects being undertaken to maintain a holistic knowledge of the status of the service. This includes monitoring project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation through Workspace, undertaking design and technical reviews. Where resource is an issue, lead on meeting deadlines and arranging additional resource.

Strategic planning: annually you will be responsible for the preparation of a Northern Industrial + Logistics Sector Sub Plan

Budget and finance: manage industrial fees, budgets and resource planning within Workspace Deltek PIM to ensure projects are profitable and delivered within financial constraints.

Quality control: review technical drawings to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with both SGP and industry standards.

Contractor and supply chain coordination: liaise and negotiate with external suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution.

Qualifications & Experience

• Architect or Technologist with extensive Industrial and Logistics delivery experience, masterplans, and foot printing of strategic sites: 10+ years minimum.

Skills & Competencies

• Business Development - to lead and grow the Industrial and Logistics Sector within the North
• Ability to manage projects, fees, budgets, and timelines effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to communicate with other disciplines.
• A collaborative team player
• Excellent design, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstration of the understanding and/or proficiency in software tools required to produce the required outputs and deliverables. Revit experience is Essential.
• Effective communication and presentation capability.

Personal Attributes

• Positive and proactive approach.
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and manage your own workload.
• Confidence in communicating with clients, consultants, contractors, local authorities and public forums.

Benefits & Salary

• Salary depending on experience and suitability 60,000 - 75,000 per annum.
• 35 days holiday annually (this includes 10 pre-allocated days throughout the year).
• Performance Reviews three times a year.
• Pension scheme.
• Private Health care.
• Cloud operating system, meaning you are backed by a data centre and not limited to the power of your pc.
• Death in Service and Permanent Health Care insurances.
• The ability to work from home for up to two days per week.

Interested? Please hit apply and provide an updated CV, alternatively please reach out in confidence to James Jackson at Conrad Consulting for further information.