London, UK
Senior architect/arts team lead
at David Kohn Architects
David Kohn Architects is recruiting for the role of a senior architect to lead the studio’s arts team in London.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our award winning studio on a permanent basis and expand the arts team.
Who we are
David Kohn Architects was established in 2007 and has gained an international reputation for the quality of its design. We collaborate with our clients, consultant teams and end users to deliver highly tailored schemes that exceed expectations. We are currently working on projects including a new campus for New College Oxford, a mixed use building in Birmingham in collaboration with a local arts organisation and an architecture faculty in Belgium. Previous arts projects include unique collaborations with artists Fiona Banner RA, Simon Fujiwara and Pablo Bronstein. Supporting our clients in the drive towards carbon negative futures is a critically important part of our current and future work.
The role
As a senior architect, you will have a pivotal leadership role in delivering challenging projects with leading consultants for inspiring clients within the arts sector. This includes public and private museums and galleries, cultural institutions, exhibitions design and collaborations with artists. Previous clients include the Royal Academy, V&A, ICA, Wellcome Trust, Design Museum, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Stephen Friedman, Thomas Dane and Stuart Shave galleries. You will communicate regularly and effectively with our clients, collaborators and project team members, setting standards and targets and reporting on all key issues.
Desired outcomes
- lead arts business development to ensure a pipeline of projects to grow the arts sector as agreed targets
- help secure and deliver potential projects that are currently at feasibility stage
- design projects to the standard and ambition of the studio
- lead and embody the studio’s culture of collaboration and design
- build and develop a high performing team
Essential skills
- at least eight years post-part 3 qualification or equivalent
- experience of leading high profile arts projects with a construction value of at least £10M
- ability to multitask, lead projects and drive new business with equal focus
- excellent connections in the industry with potential clients and delivery partners in order to drive new business and select the right collaborators
- excellent team leadership skills, ability to successfully lead bids, projects and design competitions
- a quick decider with a forceful stand without being overly abrasive
- commercially astute with track record of projects delivered within constraints such as agreed timescales, construction cost and internal resource budget
- analytical skills. Ability to structure and process qualitative and quantitative data and draw insightful conclusions from it. Exhibit a probing mind and achieve penetrating insights
- attention to detail. Proactively spots key issues and drives solutions to keep projects on track
- ability to motivate, coach and support a team of creatives and more experienced architects to successfully deliver projects, whilst working closely within a team
- design excellence. Sound judgement based on thorough technical understanding
- strategic vision. Sales and new business planning and execution using CRM and other tools
- a confident communicator with colleagues, clients, and in leading large meetings. First class writing and sketching skills
- commercial awareness and ability to spot opportunities and propose correct fees/variations to directors
- CAD. Ability to produce required design with the support of the team
- thorough knowledge of arts venue technical requirements
- sustainability champion
What we offer
- competitive salary based upon experience and performance related bonus
- profit share bonus scheme
- competitive workplace pension
- career development opportunities and industry acknowledgement
To apply
Please submit your cover letter explaining how you meet all the criteria and why you would like to join us, the date from which you are available, CV and portfolio of up to eight sides of A4 showing examples of relevant projects.
Applications should be made through the practice’s online job board by clicking here.
Please email [email protected] for enquiries.
We are fully committed to attracting a diverse workforce, welcoming the best talent from around the world, and encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.
We will be processing all data received according to general data protection regulations. Due to the large volume of applications expected we will only be able to enter into correspondence with shortlisted candidates.