Principal / Studio Director – Design Architecture

• Low carbon, award winning Architectural firm with national presence
• Invigorate a growing team, lead projects, run a productive and fun studio
• Base + Super + CBD Office + Regular Travel

The Company

If you are looking for a company committed to their employees by providing the best office spaces to enjoy life everyday, one that supports hybrid work, and that tries hard to enhance the human employee experience at its core, then you are in the right place.

The low carbon national footprint of this Architecture and Design studio and its passionate team has a mandate to impact the industry collectively through drawing on knowledge and individual talent to drive their designs, day to day with sustainable practice.

They use a holistic approach to sustainable design to reduce the environmental impact on projects while promoting health and enhancing community and its surrounding ecosystems.

Design strategies are closely identified throughout a project cycle as a priority to create and recommend an effective and positive impact on the wider global environment for real industry change.

The Role

This is not a conventional leadership role. It is an opportunity to build, shape, and ultimately lead a studio with genuine autonomy and long-term influence.

We are seeking a commercially minded and design-led Principal Architect / Studio Lead to drive the next phase of growth in this Brisbane practice. This role is built for an ambitious architectural leader who combines industry credibility with entrepreneurial thinking — someone ready to expand a client network, secure new opportunities, and create lasting impact in the market.

You will step into a well-supported environment with an engaged team, an established platform, and the freedom to shape your own studio within the business. With a clear pathway toward Director progression — and potential future partnership — this is a career-defining role for someone who wants more than project delivery alone.

If you are motivated by leadership, business growth, and the opportunity to build something meaningful, this role offers the backing and autonomy to do exactly that.

Key Responsibilities

Client Engagement

• Drive the studio’s growth by building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities through industry networking and strategic partnerships.
• Represent the studio at industry events, client meetings, and business forums.
• Develop proposals, pitch for projects, and expand the studio’s portfolio with high-value work.

Studio & Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a talented team of architects and designers.
• Oversee studio operations, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Guide the team through project delivery, resource management, and workflow optimisation.
• Recruit and develop talent to support studio expansion.

Project Involvement

• Provide strategic design direction and oversight on key projects.
• Ensure high-quality project outcomes by reviewing documentation and technical details.
• Support project teams with problem-solving, client management, and project execution.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture or a related field
• Registered Architect with proven leadership experience.
• Strong business development skills with a track record of securing and delivering projects
• Experience leading and managing a team in an architectural practice.
• Established industry network and business connections to bring new opportunities.
• Strong understanding of project delivery, financial management, and studio operations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts to stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in CAD software (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.) and 3D modelling tools (SketchUp, Rhino, etc.).
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of building codes, accessibility standards, and construction practices.
• Creative problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Experience in sustainable design practices is a plus.

Remuneration and Benefits

The benefits of this organisation are a privilege to list and are an extremely exciting chance for you to work with one of the top Architecture employers that lay it out there for culture and employee experience in Australia with huge pride.

• Teams are super supportive and collaborative – expect to make some new friends across the country
• You will gain opportunities to experience all aspects of the project as it progresses.
• They facilitate regular workshops and learning opportunities with dedicated counselling and coaching support available to all team members to help you grow personally and professionally
• You can take part in a volunteer Scheme that offers 2 days per year to support a cause close to your heart
• Great flexibility with WFH options, adjustable working hours, and a good work/life balance including a fantastic Families Policy – supportive of everyone’s circumstances
• When your birthday falls on a weekday, you’ll get a day off to celebrate!
• The company is constantly pursuing Certification as they are proactively passionate about making a difference to our team and the environment.

You will also be rewarded with an attractive remuneration package commensurate with your experience, any training needs, a career path progression plan, and flexible hybrid work patterns to plus up to enable you to focus on personal development activities.

This role is based in Brisbane, and with awesome offices also in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, all have excellent vehicle and public transport access.

They continue to retain their sustainable office spaces to embrace collaborative working and in building a great culture, they also embrace true flexible working which enables all of employees to get the right balance between work and what life throws at us.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia.

They are proud of creating a safe and supportive culture, and we welcome candidates from LGBTQIA+ communities to join our team along with encouraging and supporting disability workers to apply.

The companies Reconciliation Action Plan sets a pathway of learning, listening and change as a journey in which all of the team are involved in and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to also apply.

If this sparks your interest, and aligns to your skills, we would like to know more about you, please apply via the link.

For further information about this exciting opportunity, please confidentially apply to the link below or head to our website to apply directly at www.theprojectdiary.com