Architectural Assistant - Not a Traditional Practice Role

Job description

If you’re an ambitious RIBA Part 2 / newly qualified architect in a leading practice… you already know the trade-off:

Big-name studio = brilliant projects… but you can spend years supporting, not owning.

Small studio = huge responsibility… but limited scale, structure, and progression.

What if you didn’t have to choose?

This isn’t a “traditional practice” role.

This is an opportunity to join a newly formed Residential + Urban Design team inside a growing, design-led business - with the pace and autonomy of a start-up… but backed by the infrastructure of a much larger, non-traditional group.

You’ll be put in the seat where the opportunities are.

Not just producing. Influencing. Presenting. Owning.

Led by a Head of Architecture with a pedigree spanning award-winning housing, major cultural projects, and serious urban thinking - the team is intentionally creative… and now looking to add a designer with proper London residential grounding to help shape what this division becomes.

The work

Residential, mixed-use, and urban design projects ranging from 5-500 units, with a sweet spot in design-led, higher-end 10-50 unit schemes - the kind of work where design-led architecture meets bespoke interiors.

A week could include:

• Owning a high-end multi-unit scheme (layouts, story, local context, client interface)
• Contributing to work-winning (decks, narratives, presentations, bids)
• Supporting wider masterplanning / large-scale residential thinking when needed

Initial focus is front-end design for the next 6-9 months, with a genuine route to seeing projects through to completion.

And if you perform? Within a year, you could be leading your own £10m+ scheme with director support.

Why this is different

• Real authorship - no “house style”, no rinse-and-repeat output
• Early client exposure - you’ll be in the room, not hidden behind layers
• Work-winning experience - learn how a practice grows, not just how it delivers
• Fast progression - autonomy and responsibility increase quickly if you want it
• Part 3 support - mentorship + financial support available

Who we’re looking for

You’re likely:

• An Experienced RIBA Part 2 or Recently Qualified Architect
• With London-based multi-unit residential experience (mid–high rise preferred)
• Comfortable with layouts / unit planning, and confident producing strong presentation packs
• Familiar with (or excited by) the realities of residential design: regs awareness, typical constraints, rational planning
• Entrepreneurial in mindset - you want more than being a cog in a machine
• Software: Revit desirable (but training/support available for the right person), plus SketchUp
• (AI image generation experience is a plus)
• At least 2 years of experience working in a UK/London-based practice

Package

• £30,000 - £40,000 + highly competitive bonus
• Energetic team and strong social culture
• A long list of extensive benefits (shared with successful applicants)

How to apply

Send your CV to Grõ Careers via the apply button.

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to share a portfolio. Further details are shared only at the post-discovery stage.

If you’re the kind of designer who wants ownership, client exposure, and momentum - this is one of the rare roles at this level that genuinely delivers it.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

City of London

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

01-03-2026

Profession type

Design / Fashion

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English