Studio Director
Would you like to be part of an employee-owned, multi award-winning architecture practice whose desire is to make spaces and places that improve lives?
We are looking for a Studio Director to join our Senior Leadership Team to develop business and lead our established studio in Belfast, building upon our current portfolio of clients and projects.
We are a UK & Ireland practice with strong connections across all of our studios in Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Sheffield, Cardiff, and London. We work collaboratively as one team structured by sector, sharing resources, knowledge and skills. Ranked as one of the top 20 largest practices in the UK this year, other recent accolades include:
- AJ100 List of UK’s Top Architectural Practices 2025
- Shortlisted, AJ100 Awards – Employer of the Year 2025
- Shortlisted, Architect of Year Awards – Social Value Architect of the Year 2025
- Shortlisted, Architect of Year Awards – Employer of the Year 2025
- Highly Commended, MMC Awards – Architectural Practice of the Year 2025
- Winner, RSUA Design Awards – Altnagelvin Hospital
- Winner, Irish Design & Excellence Awards 2022 – Healthcare Project of the Year – NCH Satellite Centre at Tallaght University Hospital
A fully qualified Architect with a minimum of ten years post Part III qualification experience, you will exhibit the following skills/ experience:
- Experience working at a senior level in a UK architecture design practice
- Ability to provide Studio leadership and management of a diverse team
- Proven ability to manage client relationships and develop opportunities
- Experience of managing fee proposals and delivering successful bids
- Proven track record of successful delivery of projects in the UK / Ireland
- A passion for design, the quality of the environment and client satisfaction
- Good communication skills - verbal, written and presentation
- A sound understanding of and commitment to sustainable building design and delivery
- Ability to administer professional services and construction contracts
- Understanding of project pipeline in Northern Ireland in our key sectors
- Ability to develop new business by building excellent client relationships in the public and private sector
- Expertise in a particular sector e.g. Health, Education or Residential would be desirable but not essential
This is an opportunity to join our practice in a strategic management role. You will bring energy and determination to help grow our Belfast presence, leveraging your network of contacts and ensuring that we are best placed to deliver exceptional service to our clients. You will have access to the Senior Leadership Team’s support and expertise across all of our sectors, disciplines and specialisms.
We offer a friendly studio environment, an award-winning lifestyle package, and a commitment to your personal development through the HLM Academy.
Diversity, inclusion and belonging (DIB) is at the core of our business. We advocate equal opportunities, creating an inclusive working environment for all. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different mode, please contact our HR team for assistance.
If you think this role could be for you, please apply with your CV and examples of your project work.
Those shortlisted will be contacted.
HLM Architects is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
- Department
- Architecture
- Locations
- Belfast
Belfast
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Lifestyle Package
We provide a comprehensive Lifestyle Package to everyone which includes , paid subscriptions, bike to work scheme, Season ticket travel loans, additional maternity and parental leave, rewards and discount shopping vouchers and an annual training allowance. -
Health Cash Plan
We also provide a health cash plan with over £1,000 to spend on optical and dental treatments, wellbeing and complementary therapies, chiropody, health screening, 24 hour confidential advice line and 6 face to face counselling sessions each year. -
SMARTBlend
Recognising lifestyles are complex and we all have competing responsibilities, we offer a blended work model with a flexible approach to studio and remote working. This flexible approach supports job sharing, part time, term time and staggered hours, home working, back to work schemes for parents, keeping in touch days, career breaks, sabbaticals and condensed hours. We recognise no one size fits all. Providing a great studio environment is only part of the equation and flexible ways of working gives us more richness, diversity and choice for how we can work most effectively. -
Communicating, sharing & socialising
We're a sociable bunch and have a full social calendar providing a chance to further connect and involve families too. Our enthusiastic social committee organise a range of events to suit everyone from Angling to Zorbing. -
HLM Academy
The HLM Academy supports everyone along their career journey, capturing passions, driving innovation and equipping individuals with skills to navigate an ever-evolving world. It’s underpinned by a skills and behaviour framework and centred around our core values. Everyone is enrolled on day one, stepping into a bespoke learning pathway with insight from a profiling tool called PROPHET; recognising that all individuals are unique.
Workplace & culture
We would not be able to achieve what we do without the passion, commitment and enthusiasm of our team. Over 200 talented individuals fill our studios, connected at both regional and national level, bringing diversity of thought to every aspect of our business.
We work as one team across our studios, collaborating and sharing new ideas and best practice through open and honest communication, creating strong relationships and great friendships along the way.
Our nurturing culture encourages thoughtfulness and creativity, and we surround everyone with the right mix of resources and a working environment to energise and inspire; supporting everyone to grow and flourish.
About HLM Architects
We’re architecture, landscape and interior specialists with deep sector insight.
We listen and respond to the ambitions of our clients and understand the needs of the people who use the places and spaces we create.
Places of education that inspire, healthcare environments that nurture, homes that are part of thriving communities, and infrastructure that is sustainable in every sense. It is this sense of social purpose that drives us on and is at the heart of everything we do.