An award-winning, multi-disciplinary design practice working across the UK and internationally is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Leader to provide practice-wide technical leadership across residential-led and mixed-use projects.

This senior role sits at the heart of technical governance, building safety and design quality, offering the opportunity to shape technical standards, mentor teams, and influence best practice across multiple studios.

The Role

The Senior Technical Leader will provide specialist technical expertise across projects, with a particular focus on Building Regulations, fire safety and the Building Safety Act regime. Working alongside Project Leaders and a central technical team, the role ensures that technical excellence, compliance, buildability and sustainability are embedded throughout all RIBA stages.

The position combines hands-on technical leadership with strategic responsibility for standards, quality systems, knowledge sharing and external engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Lead and develop the technical discipline as a centre of excellence.
• Establish, implement and audit technical standards, guidance notes, standard details and quality processes.
• Champion buildability, product suitability and whole-life performance.
• Lead structured technical reviews and gateway checks at key RIBA stages.

Regulatory Compliance & Building Safety

• Advise teams on compliance with UK Building Regulations, Approved Documents, British Standards and warranty requirements.
• Provide practice leadership on the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety legislation and CDM Regulations 2015.
• Ensure compliance with duty-holder roles, competence frameworks and golden thread information management.

Specialist Technical Expertise

• Act as a technical authority in one or more areas such as fire and life safety, ventilation and overheating, façade and moisture risk, sustainability and embodied carbon, or modern methods of construction.
• Lead envelope and environmental strategies in collaboration with MEP and environmental consultants.

Project Delivery Support

• Support Project Leaders to ensure robust technical strategies from early design through construction.
• Review detailing, specifications, testing and commissioning requirements.
• Provide technical support during construction, including site inspections and risk escalation.

Knowledge, Training & Continuous Improvement

• Design and deliver structured CPD, training sessions and technical forums.
• Mentor and upskill teams across studios.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including product approval processes and workflow efficiencies.

External Profile & Work-Winning

• Contribute to bids, interviews and client presentations with a strong technical narrative.
• Build an external profile through industry engagement, panels and thought leadership.
• Maintain strong relationships with building control bodies, warranty providers and insurers.

About You

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• ARB-registered Architect or MCIAT Chartered Architectural Technologist.
• 10+ years’ post-qualification experience in technical design and delivery.
• Extensive experience on UK residential-led or mixed-use projects across RIBA stages 3–6.
• Proven leadership of technical delivery across multiple projects and teams.
• Strong experience of the Building Safety Act regime, including higher-risk buildings.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Advanced expertise in at least two specialist technical areas.
• In-depth knowledge of UK Building Regulations and material compliance.
• Strong construction detailing, specification writing (e.g. NBS) and product due-diligence skills.
• Familiarity with BIM and information management aligned to BS EN ISO 19650.
• Ability to act as, or advise, a Principal Designer under CDM and Building Regulations.

Personal Attributes

• Confident communicator with the ability to influence, mentor and lead.
• Collaborative, methodical and risk-aware.
• Committed to continuous professional development and technical excellence.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to take on a practice-wide leadership role with genuine influence over technical quality, safety and innovation, within a supportive, inclusive and forward-thinking design environment that values learning, sustainability and long-term career progression.