Managing Director

About The Role:

The Crowd are exclusively partnered with a mid-sized design studio that is going from strength to strength and dominating its sector on an international level. They are seeking an astute, commercially minded Managing Director to join their close-knit, thriving business on a permanent basis.

With a background in the architecture, design, or built environment sector, and a commercially driven mindset, you will work closely with the founders to oversee and drive their already successful business forward. Our client has carved out a strong reputation in their space, with work spanning across the globe.

They are looking for a leader who is invested, has a strong appetite for success and growth, and is excited to partner with the founders to oversee all commercial aspects of the business, freeing them up to focus on the creative and design side. You will lead strategic, commercial, and operational initiatives and play a key role in driving the company forward.

This is a broad and exciting role where you can genuinely make an impact and make the role your own. With ample scope for growth and ownership, this is a fantastic opportunity for a driven and ambitious individual to become embedded in a leading creative design studio.

In addition to working with leading global names, our client offers a competitive remuneration package, including a profit-related bonus, hybrid/remote working, and a focus on employee culture and wellbeing. This is a rare and rewarding opportunity to join a desirable London-based design practice in a senior position.

Please note: applicants must have prior experience in a leadership role within the architecture, design, or built environment sector, although experience as a designer is not required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Founders to ensure the efficient day to day running of the studio
• Involvement in bids, proposals and work winning, identifying areas of growth and improvement
• Oversee contract management, carrying out reviews and recommendations
• Own financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and margin control.
• Drive business development and market expansion across key sectors and regions.
• Lead and develop the leadership team, embedding accountability and high performance.
• Strengthen senior client relationships and represent the business at an executive level where needed.
• Build scalable systems, processes, and governance to support continued growth.

Key Skills/Requirements:

• Exceptional leader with strong strategic and commercial acumen, able to set vision, define growth strategy, and lead the business effectively.
• Proven experience in a leadership role within the architecture, design, or built environment sector (Middle East exposure highly advantageous).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build trusted relationships both internally and externally.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage complexity and multiple priorities.
• Numerically strong, with confidence interpreting financial data and commercial metrics.
• Sound experience and understanding of contracts, commercial negotiations, and risk management.
• Comfortable leading through growth, change, and increasing complexity.
• Confident, decisive, and accountable leader with a results-driven mindset.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate senior teams within a creative environment.
• Demonstrated success driving growth through client relationships, partnerships, and market expansion.

To apply for this position please click on the apply button to attach your CV (and portfolio for design positions).

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The Crowd is an equal opportunities employer and agency.