Design Lead

Overview of the Role

A Design Lead (Architecture) Job in Gloucester, Gloucestershire is available for an experienced Architect with a strong background in the education sector. This role focuses on leading early‑stage design work, shaping education projects from concept through RIBA Stages 1–3.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the creative direction of projects, working closely with clients, consultants and internal design teams. The Design Lead Job in Gloucester sits within a dedicated education sector team and will involve leading the design of learning environments across a variety of schools, colleges and higher education facilities.

This role suits an ARB‑registered Architect with a strong design portfolio and experience delivering education projects. The role is primarily design focused, offering the opportunity to lead concept development and guide project teams through the early design stages.

The role is with an established architectural practice employing over 120 architects, designers and creatives across three UK studios. The practice works across a range of sectors including education, defence, commercial, healthcare and residential projects.

Education forms a key part of the practice’s portfolio, with the team delivering projects for schools, colleges and universities across the UK for more than two decades. The studio has developed strong relationships with education clients and has built a reputation for thoughtful, well‑considered design in learning environments.

Teams work collaboratively across RIBA Stages 0–7, with architects and technologists working closely together to balance creative design with technical delivery. Sustainability, collaboration and technical excellence are central to the studio’s culture, with staff encouraged to contribute to internal initiatives around innovation, design quality and sustainable design.

The Design Lead (Architecture) Job offers the opportunity to take a leadership role within the education team, guiding design thinking and shaping projects that support contemporary learning environments.

• Lead design development for education sector projects across RIBA Stages 1–3
• Develop design concepts and spatial strategies for schools, colleges and university environments
• Work closely with clients and stakeholders to develop and refine project briefs
• Lead internal design reviews, workshops and presentations
• Oversee concept design, feasibility studies and early‑stage planning submissions
• Guide project teams in maintaining strong design quality during early project development
• Collaborate with consultants and multidisciplinary project teams
• Support and mentor junior architects and designers within the team
• Ensure design proposals align with Department for Education guidance and standards

• ARB registered Architect or equivalent professional qualification
• Strong design‑led portfolio demonstrating education sector projects
• Experience delivering projects for schools, colleges or higher education facilities
• Proven experience working across RIBA Stages 1–3
• Knowledge of Department for Education design guidance and standards
• Strong presentation and visual communication skills
• Ability to lead design workshops and communicate ideas clearly to clients
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary consultant teams
• Confident leadership skills with the ability to guide and mentor junior staff
• UK project experience within architectural practice

• Hybrid working with up to two days remote working per week after probation
• Flexible working hours between 8:00am and 5:30pm
• 23 days annual leave plus UK bank holidays
• Additional leave awarded for long service milestones
• Option to carry forward unused annual leave
• Employer pension contribution scheme
• Life insurance including death in service benefit
• Paid professional memberships including RIBA
• Regular CPD and professional development sessions
• Discretionary Christmas bonus
• Employee wellbeing support including virtual GP services
• Team social events and company activities
• Opportunities to contribute to internal sustainability and technical…