Senior Architect / Associate Architect - Education (DfE)

Senior Architect / Associate Architect - Education (DfE)London | Global Architecture Practice | Hybrid (2-5 days in office) | Genuine Leadership PotentialAre you already running DfE school projects but looking for a bigger platform to build your career?Perhaps you're a Project Architect or Associate in a smaller architectural practice, trusted to run your own projects, manage client relationships and oversee delivery.You enjoy the responsibility. You know the education sector. And you're ready to take your career further.What if you could retain that autonomy while representing a respected global architecture practice, with the resources, reputation and specialist expertise to help you build your name in the education market?GRØ Careers is representing an established international, employee-owned architecture practice seeking an experienced, commercially minded Architect to help strengthen and grow its London Education team.This is more than a conventional Senior Architect appointment.It's an opportunity to become a key figure in the practice's UK education offering, taking ownership of live DfE projects while helping develop its market presence and client relationships.The opportunity...Our client already has an established portfolio of Department for Education projects, supported by experienced architectural teams across its UK studios.They are looking for someone who can combine credible project-running experience with the personality, ambition and confidence to represent the business externally.You will have the opportunity to:Lead and deliver live DfE school projects, taking ownership of design coordination, programme, technical delivery and project outcomes.Build relationships with clients, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders.Represent the practice at industry events, networking opportunities and within the wider education market.Collaborate with established education specialists across the firm's UK offices.Contribute to the growth and reputation of its London Education team.Develop towards a more senior leadership position as the team and project portfolio grow.The ambition is to find someone who doesn't simply want to work on education projects, but wants to become known for delivering them.You'll have the credibility of a global practice behind you, while retaining the autonomy and influence that often attract Architects to smaller studios.You need to know Revit. You don't need to be the BIM Guru / Manager.We recognise that experienced Project Architects and Associates can sometimes be discouraged by roles that expect them to run projects while also taking responsibility for every aspect of BIM setup and model management...That isn't what this position is about.Our client has an established BIM infrastructure, including:A dedicated, director-level BIM professional supporting projects across its UK studios.Central expertise responsible for higher-level BIM execution, standards and initial project setup.Dedicated BIM specialists allocated within individual project teams to assist with day-to-day modelling requirements, family creation and technical BIM tasks.What you will need to do:Be confident working within Revit and BIM-led project environments.Understand how to interrogate models, review and coordinate design information, and identify technical issues.Lead multidisciplinary coordination and ensure information is progressing towards the required deliverables.Use Revit effectively as part of your project-running responsibilities.What you won't be expected to do:Establish every new Revit (BIM) project from scratch.Personally undertake all BIM execution and model-management responsibilities.Create every family or resolve every specialist modelling issue yourself.Your value lies in leading projects, managing people, making decisions and delivering buildings... supported by an established technical infrastructure.Who are we looking for?...We're particularly interested in speaking with Project Architects, Senior Architects and Associate Architects who have built their careers (or at least 2-3 years) delivering Department for Education projects.You should bring:ARB registration and substantial UK architectural project delivery experience.Direct project-running responsibility for at least 2-3 DfE school projects.Experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams, consultants and contractors.Confidence managing client relationships, technical design and project delivery.Demonstrable experience working on live projects using Revit.A genuine interest in the education sector and the ambition to build a professional reputation within it.An outward-facing, personable approach, with enthusiasm for networking, relationship-building and representing the practice.Responsibility matters more than years post-qualification.We're not looking for an arbitrary number of years' experience or a particular job title.For example, an Architect with six years' post-qualification experience who has spent the last four or five years independently running DfE projects could be just as relevant as an Associate with 12-15 years' experience.What matters is the level of responsibility you've held, the projects you've delivered and your readiness to take ownership of the next stage of your career.We would particularly welcome conversations with Associates working in smaller architectural studios who are ready to step onto a larger national and international platform.A genuine opportunity to build your profile...This is an opportunity to help shape the future of an established global practice's London Education offering.You'll join a collaborative team, gain access to specialists and resources across the wider business, and have the backing to develop your own relationships and presence in the education market.For the right individual, there is a genuine pathway towards senior leadership as the team continues to develop.Flexible working built on trust...The practice operates a flexible hybrid model, with a minimum of two days per week in its London office.Beyond that, you're trusted to manage your working arrangements around project commitments, collaboration and client requirements.If you enjoy the studio environment, you're equally welcome to attend three, four or five days a week.The emphasis is on accountability, collaboration and delivering results rather than unnecessary presenteeism.Interested?...If you're already delivering DfE projects and feel ready to represent a larger practice, build your professional profile and take the next step towards leadership, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.You don't necessarily need to be an Associate already.You do need to be someone who can run projects, build relationships and has the ambition to make an impact.