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About the Role
This hybrid senior role combines hands-on architectural delivery with development-side design management, consultant oversight, and project governance within an in-house architecture studio of a real estate development company. The role requires ownership of projects from early concept through delivery and handover, acting as both Lead Architect and Design/Development Manager.
Responsibilities
- Act as Lead Architect for multiple projects across residential, mixed-use, or commercial developments
- Lead concept, planning, and technical design stages through to construction and completion
- Prepare, review, and sign off on architectural drawings, specifications, reports, and schedules
- Ensure design intent, quality, and commercial objectives are maintained throughout the project lifecycle
- Develop and maintain design standards, details, and technical guidelines aligned with company objectives
- Act as Design Manager from a developer’s perspective, overseeing internal and external designers
- Appoint, manage, and coordinate consultants (architecture, structures, MEP, fire, acoustic, façade, landscape, planning, specialists)
- Manage information flow, design programmes, deliverables, and approvals
- Lead design reviews, value engineering exercises, and risk mitigation workshops
- Ensure design coordination and clash-free documentation before construction issues
- Own the design information process, including staging, gateway reviews, and audit trails
- Review and approve technical drawings, specifications, schedules, and outputs
- Ensure compliance with Planning conditions, Building Regulations, Fire strategy and statutory requirements, Employer’s Requirements and Development Brief
- Control document status, revisions, and issue procedures
- Work closely with Development, Commercial, and Construction teams to align design with budget, programme, and risk
- Review and manage consultant appointments, scopes of service, and fee proposals
- Review payment applications, milestone completions, and variation requests
- Support procurement by reviewing tender queries, contractor proposals, and technical submissions
- Maintain design ownership during construction, acting as the design authority
- Attend site regularly to review progress, quality, and compliance
- Review and respond to RFIs and technical queries, shop drawings and samples, design changes and site instructions
- Ensure the built work reflects the approved design and specifications
- Act as a primary client-side design lead, representing the company internally and externally
- Manage communication with internal development and construction teams, local authorities and statutory bodies, external consultants and contractors
- Mentor and manage junior architects and assistants within the studio
- Support recruitment, workload planning, and capability development within the studio
Requirements
- ARB registered Architect (or equivalent international qualification)
- Proven experience delivering projects from concept to completion
- Strong background in design management within a developer-led, or client-side environment preferred
- Excellent technical knowledge of UK Building Regulations and construction processes
- Experience managing consultants, appointments, and fee structures
- Confidence leading projects on-site and during construction
- Experience working within or alongside real estate developers
- Understanding of commercial and residential development viability
- Strong BIM coordination experience
- Familiarity with JCT and/or Design & Build procurement routes
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills
- Commercially aware and risk-focused
- Design and Detail-oriented with the ability to see the wider project picture
- Confident communicator across design, construction, and commercial teams
- Able to balance design quality with programme and cost constraints
Skills
- Architectural Leadership
- Design Delivery
- Design Management
- Consultant Coordination
- Information Management
- Technical Control
- Development Oversight
- Commercial Oversight
- Site Ownership
- Construction Stage Involvement
- Client Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Team Management
- BIM coordination
Location
- Hybrid
Work Type
- Hybrid
- Full-time
Experience Level
- Senior
- 5-10+ years post-qualification experience
Education Level
- ARB registered Architect (or equivalent international qualification)
About the Company
- Unity Group is a private investment house built on a philosophy of conscious capital and a marathon mindset.
- We operate and grow ambitious businesses in the distinct worlds of shipping and real estate, united by a disciplined, long-term approach to creating enduring value.
- At the heart of our organisational culture, we aim to prosper through generations, honour all the details, endure through storms and evolve with intentionality.
- It is through these values that we build what lasts.