HEAD OF DESIGN / SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT

HEAD OF DESIGN / SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT

£50,000 - £70,000 plus performance bonus

(Title flexible for the right person)

Most architectural roles keep you in a defined lane. You contribute, but rarely lead. You design, but don’t always influence the bigger picture.

This is not one of them.

At Acre Design, you will play a leading role in shaping bespoke residential projects.

It suits someone ready to step up. Someone who does not just want to be an architect, but wants to help lead projects, support a team, and grow into a senior position with real impact.

If you are looking for more autonomy, more flexibility, and a genuine step forward in your career, this is it.

ABOUT ACRE DESIGN

Acre Design specialises in bespoke and luxury home extensions and refurbishments for private clients across the North East.

Alistair, our founder and current Head of Design, is now looking to focus more of his time on business development, sales, marketing and business operations as Acre continues to grow.

We’re therefore looking for an experienced design leader to take ownership of our design team and help guide projects from our initial “Needs and Options Review” stage right through to completion.

This is a key role for someone with strong design creativity, excellent project management experience, and the confidence to lead both clients and colleagues through the architectural process.

You’ll be supported by a brilliant team of architectural technicians and our world-class Office Manager, Rebecca, helping ensure every project is delivered with clarity, care and creativity.

We do not produce generic schemes. We work closely with clients to explore layouts, materials and form, creating homes that feel considered, personal, and better than the sum of their parts.

From first conversation through planning, technical design and construction support, we guide clients through the entire process with clarity and confidence.

We are growing and building a team that can deliver exceptional work without constant oversight.

THE ROLE

This is a senior, client-facing leadership role focused on design direction, project oversight, and team support.

You will lead key projects directly, while also mentoring project leads and guiding work across the studio. You will work closely with clients, shape design outcomes, and ensure projects move forward with clarity and confidence.

This role sits between design leadership, client relationship, and business performance. It is for someone ready to step up and take responsibility beyond their own projects.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead design direction across multiple projects, not just your own
• Develop and test creative options, not just single solutions
• Mentor and support project leads, stepping in where needed to guide direction and resolve issues
• Build strong relationships with clients and guide them through key decisions
• Run key projects independently and make clear, confident decisions
• Act as the main point of contact for clients and create a high-quality experience
• Identify and resolve issues early, including managing more complex or sensitive situations
• Liaise with planning officers and navigate approvals proactively
• Keep projects moving and maintain momentum across all stages

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Strong experience delivering UK residential projects such as extensions or one-off homes
• Excellent understanding of planning policy
• A natural communicator who builds trust quickly and handles conversations with ease
• A strong design instinct and ability to explore ideas, not just deliver solutions
• Confidence leading projects, people, and conversations
• Decisive and proactive, comfortable taking ownership and making calls
• Commercial awareness and interest in how projects and the business perform
• Comfortable managing a small team and taking responsibility for outcomes

WHAT THIS IS NOT

• Not for someone who finds it difficult to lead conversations or take control of meetings
• Not a back-office role producing drawings all day
• Not a role where you wait for instructions or constant sign-off
• Not for someone who avoids responsibility for decisions or team direction

THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO THRIVES HERE

• Enjoys leading both design and people
• Takes ownership and drives projects forward
• Builds trust and long-term relationships with clients
• Makes decisions confidently and stands behind them
• Balances creativity with commercial awareness
• Spots problems early and deals with them directly
• Wants a senior role with real responsibility and influence

WHY JOIN ACRE

• High level of autonomy and ownership
• Strong pipeline of high-quality residential projects
• Support from an in-house technical team with advanced Revit capability
• Clear processes without unnecessary meetings or micromanagement
• Performance-related pay alongside a strong base salary
• Genuine opportunity to grow into a senior leadership role