London, UK
Practice manager
at IF_DO
IF_DO is recruiting a practice manager to join its growing team in London.
Are you a dynamic and experienced professional ready to lead and innovate within a forward-thinking architectural practice?
We are seeking a motivated and experienced practice manager to join our growing (15-person) team in London. This senior role is crucial in driving the practice forward, working closely with practice directors and being an approachable figure for the wider team.
The ideal candidate will be pro-active, resourceful and committed with excellent attention to detail. You should be adaptable and flexible, ready to evolve in your role as the practice grows and the team needs change. Prior professional experience in the built environment, architecture, and/or design sectors is highly desirable.
Responsibilities and tasks
General administration:
- manage/schedule regular and ad hoc team meetings, strategy sessions and events (including summer trips and Christmas parties)
- coordinate and chair monthly, quarterly and annual senior management team meetings
Office coordination:
- manage incoming communications (and front of house)
- manage supplies of stationery, cleaning and other office necessities, ensuring everything is in good working order
- liaise with all office suppliers, contractors and consultants
- prepare and maintain up-to-date information on all office systems, policies and procedures
Human resources:
- assist in resource planning (using CMAP software)
- assist in recruitment processes, including scheduling and preparing for interviews
- formalise, implement and maintain onboarding/offboarding processes
- schedule and prepare for staff reviews
- maintain up-to-date employee handbooks and employment policies
- lead team well-being initiatives and social events
- arrange check-ins and polls to monitor staff morale and well-being
Marketing/PR support and coordination:
- support preparation of PR strategy for practice/projects
- assist in preparing press releases, presentations for lectures, panels, pitches, social media materials and award submissions
New business support and coordination:
- prepare and maintain up-to-date CVs and project data sheets for pitches
- support the review of new business opportunities (EOIs and public tenders) and monitor portal and framework opportunities
- assist in preparation for new business SQs, EOIs, PQQs, tenders, pitches and presentations
Financial administration:
- monitor financial performance (including invoicing and resource requirements), working closely with director of finance and bookkeeper
- collate office and team expenses for submission to the bookkeeper
IT coordination:
- liaise with external IT consultants on day-to-day issues
- assist in IT strategy, including monitoring hardware and making recommendations for upgrades or new equipment where necessary
- monitor software licenses and ensure compliance
- arrange onboarding and offboarding of employee computers and log-ins
Other support:
- take the lead in the design and implementation of the Quality Management System (QMS) in the office, working towards ISO accreditation
- assist in monitoring, reviewing, and ensuring the completion of QMS requirements
- explore and implement other initiatives such as BCorp certification, focusing on environmental and social performance aspects of our work
Skills and experience
The ideal candidate will have prior experience in office administration and management at a small/medium-sized professional services business (ideally within the architecture or design sector) You should be calm under pressure, friendly, organised, commercially aware and an excellent communicator.
Essential:
- financial literacy, ranging from invoicing to budget management
- excellent command of spoken and written English
- relevant professional experience in office administration/management
- fluency in MS Office (Excel, Word)
- proficiency in Adobe InDesign
- strong prioritisation, communication and organisational skills
- conscientious with strong attention to detail
- exemplary time management skills
- ability to multi-task and work against tight deadlines
- demonstrated commitment to professional development and learning
Desired:
- copywriting skills and the ability to communicate ideas succinctly
- degree or qualification in a relevant creative or business subject
- ambition and skill to support a growing practice
Salary and benefits:
- salary: £40,000-£50,000 per annum (commensurate with experience)
- working week: five days per week with the option of working from home on Monday and Friday (open to further flexibility for the ideal candidate)
- working hours: 37.5 hours working work; normal hours are 8.5 hours a day, inclusive of a one-hour paid lunch break; core hours are 10 am-4 pm
- annual leave: 33 days of annual leave per year, comprising 20 days of bookable leave, 8 named bank holidays and 5 days to be taken over Christmas for shutdown
- other benefits: monthly socials (team lunches), a summer trip, Christmas party, and opportunities for further (paid) training
How to apply
Please submit a digital copy of your CV (max. 10MB) along with a covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria via the apply for job button below. Mark the subject line with ‘Application – Practice Manager’. Pay will be commensurate with experience, and we request that you set out your pay expectations in the covering letter. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK and ideally available to start from July 2024.
Deadline for applications: Friday 7 June at 12 noon.
IF_DO is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates and actively encourage applications from women and individuals from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, as these groups are currently under-represented in the construction industry.
Note: Whilst the IF_DO studio is currently located in Bermondsey, London, it will be relocated to Charlotte Road, Shoreditch, London from July 2024.