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Hope Dušek Architects is hiring an architect to join its team in London.

Hope Dušek Architects is looking for an experienced residential architect to work alongside directors Jack Dušek and Alfie Hope, with a clear opportunity to grow into leading our small projects division.

We receive a substantial number of enquiries for extensions, alterations, refurbishments and other smaller commissions. We want to develop this work, starting with someone who can contribute to our existing residential projects and, as the working relationship develops, take responsibility for new commissions of their own.

This could be particularly appealing if you have thought about setting up your own practice but value the security and support of an established one. You would have the opportunity to shape a part of the business, build client relationships and share in its success, while working within HDA with a salary, professional indemnity cover, equipment, established systems and the support of the directors and wider team.

How the role develops

You will start by working closely with Jack Dušek on current residential projects. You will take ownership of defined tasks and workstreams, get to know HDA’s standards and systems, and develop a working relationship with the wider team.

As you demonstrate the ability to deliver work and manage clients to HDA’s standard, we intend for you to take on new residential enquiries and projects in your own right. Over time, for the right person, this would develop into leading a distinct Small Projects division, with responsibility for its workload, clients, delivery and commercial performance.

There is no fixed timetable for the transition. It will depend on your experience in the role, the available work and mutual confidence that you are ready to take on that responsibility. We will agree the scope of the lead role and the profit participation arrangements before they take effect.

What you will do

Your responsibilities will grow with the role.

Initially, you will:

• work with Jack on existing residential commissions, taking responsibility for agreed projects and workstreams
• develop design proposals and coordinate planning, Building Regulations and technical information
• communicate with clients, consultants, contractors and local authorities, and keep projects, fees and deliverables on track
• help maintain clear project records and contribute to the practice’s systems and ways of working

As you move into independent project ownership and then the lead role, you would also:

• assess incoming enquiries, prepare scopes and fee proposals, and develop new residential commissions
• manage projects from initial enquiry through design, approvals and, where appointed, construction
• oversee the division’s pipeline, resourcing, client relationships and financial performance
• help recruit and manage supporting staff when the workload makes that appropriate

A practical route to building something of your own

If you have considered going it alone, you may recognise the attraction of deciding how projects are won and delivered, building lasting client relationships and benefiting from the work you create. Here, you can work towards that level of responsibility with the backing of an existing practice. HDA provides an agreed salary, practice insurance, equipment and systems, access to an existing flow of enquiries, and colleagues to discuss design, technical and commercial decisions with.

The aim is to give you genuine room to build and lead the division as your responsibilities grow, while allowing both you and HDA to establish a strong working relationship first.

Salary and profit participation

Salary: TBC, dependent on experience.

You would be employed and paid a salary during the initial period working with Jack and as your responsibilities develop.

Profit share: TBC

Once you move into the Small Projects Lead role, the intention is for you to share in the division’s agreed distributable profit, after divisional costs and an agreed contribution to HDA’s central office overheads.

The percentage, calculation, accounting and payment periods, the work included within the division, and the point at which profit participation begins would all be agreed and documented before the arrangement takes effect. Any profit share would be additional to the agreed salary and would depend on the division’s performance.

Typical projects

Our smaller commissions include house extensions and alterations, loft conversions, residential refurbishments, internal reconfigurations, listed building and conservation work, planning and Building Regulations applications, technical drawing packages, and feasibility or pre-purchase advice. Some smaller commercial and office projects may also fall within the division and likely so would some high risk building work.

About you:

We are looking for someone with sound residential experience and the ambition to take wider responsibility over time.

You will be:

• ARB registered as an architect, with experience of managing residential projects and producing coordinated design and technical information
• comfortable working with clients and consultants, setting out a clear scope and keeping several projects moving at once
• commercially aware, interested in fee proposals and project finances, and able to spot and resolve problems early
• self-directed and interested in helping to build a sustainable part of the practice
• familiar with Vectorworks or willing to learn it. Experience of contract administration and construction-stage services would be useful

We are especially interested in hearing from someone who wants the independence of developing their own client base and team, but also values being part of a collaborative, established practice.

About Hope Dušek Architects

HDA is a growing RIBA Chartered Practice founded by Alfie Hope and Jack Dušek. Our work spans residential design, historic retrofit and listed buildings, higher-risk buildings, commercial projects and technically complex refurbishments. You would work directly with the directors and have a meaningful say in how this area of the practice develops.

Working arrangements and benefits:

• permanent salaried employment; salary TBC, dependent on experience
• remote working within the UK, with attendance at client meetings and sites as required
• practice equipment, systems and professional indemnity insurance for work undertaken through HDA
• direct support from the practice directors and opportunities for relevant training and development
• workplace pension and statutory employment benefits
• a defined route towards divisional leadership and profit participation, subject to the progression and agreed terms described above

How to apply

Please submit your CV, portfolio and a short covering letter via the apply for job button below and tell us about the residential projects you have led, the responsibilities you would be ready to take on now and what interests you about developing a small-projects practice within HDA.

www.hopedusekarchitects.co.uk