Zulufish is currently looking for a self-motivated Head of Architecture to lead a team as Design Manager. The successful candidate will join their team in Chiswick, West London.

Zulufish is a Design & Build company, therefore you will have full exposure to all aspects of design and construction (as seen through the lens of the contractor).
This a great opportunity with amazing future prospects to grow with the Zulufish family.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Manage the Architectural design team, being responsible for the department’s output and growth
• Have confidence and be knowledgeable in architectural design
• Comfortably discuss potential design suggestions during initial visits to properties
• Understand costs associated with layout changes
• Sales; Meeting new clients, creating fee proposals and winning all new design work.
• Chairing weekly design team meetings to ensure all projects are managed properly and efficiently by the design team
• Managing/ prioritizing the design team workload via weekly resource meetings
• Chairing meetings with clients and consultants as and when necessary
• Assisting the project leads on construction details and review of all packages at all RIBA Stages
• Taking the design lead on all architectural projects, hosting design meetings and proposing ideas with associated planning risk and costs to clients
• Providing guidance and advice to the design team who will report to you
• Integrating the design team with the interiors and project management team, reviewing and improving existing processes
• Invoicing. You will be responsible for making sure all relevant project invoices are issued, tracked and settled
• Carrying out drawing reviews and ensuring all appropriate comments/observations are added to the design. Pushing forward the continuous evolution of drawing information provided by the design team, with periodic reviews
• Ensuring the design process takes account of current building regulations and minimizes potential liability for future stages/delivery
• Managing the development and implementation of design proposals ensuring they meet internal and external requirements, including taking account of budgetary constraints
• Identifying Design Risk and ensuring Design Risk Assessments are created and appropriately maintained for each project and that risks are managed and mitigated
• Carrying out drawing reviews and ensuring all appropriate comments/observations are added to the design
• Liaising with site teams to ensure the delivery of the overall project construction/design requirements during the construction phase
• Must be polite and smartly dressed at all times

Required Skills & Experience:

• Part III UK registered architect (RIBA)
• Minimum of 15 years project lead working experience within UK (RIBA)
• Must have strong experience in medium to large scale high-end residential projects
• Be able to manage projects at all RIBA Stages
• A thorough understanding of the construction process from pre construction/tender/onsite processes and management
• Managed members of the architectural team
• Strong residential planning experience (ideally within conservation areas)
• Proven track record in delivering Architectural sales
• Excellent IT skills – AutoCAD, Excel, InDesign as a minimum
• Excellent Interpersonal and Communication skills
• Fluent in English, verbal and written, essential

What You Get Back:

• Competitive Salary, depending on experience
• 23 days holiday + bank holidays, +1 added day per year up to 26 days
• Flexible working hours (8am – 5pm or 9am – 6pm)
• Optional Work from home 1 day a week (either Thursdays or Fridays)
• Regular social events with the team
• Strong believers in a good work life balance
• Working in an open plan office with, and learning from Zulufish’s in-house team of Contractors, Project managers, Interior Designers and Quantity Surveyor

This opportunity will allow you to:

• Work closely with the clients. You’ll have the chance to be a key advisor and build strong working relationships
• Take full responsibility for the design ideas, local authority approval and coordination of projects
• Take full responsibility for the performance of the Architectural department which feeds work to the entire business
• Manage a small team of Architects/designers
• Bring design flair and personality to a wide range of challenges
• Audit the design and identify inconsistencies, discrepancies and missing information and record, report and close out of these items
• Fork within a multi-faceted business, interfacing with project managers, cost consultants, interior designers and sub-contractors

Please send your CV, a short portfolio of your recent work, and a brief letter explaining the reasons for your interest in joining Zulufish to: recruitment@zulufish.co.uk