Associate Director - Industrial Architecture
Shape the Future of Built Environments
Are you ready for a senior-level opportunity to lead,inspire, and make a real impact? At Tetra Tech RPS, we're looking for anambitious and experienced Associate Director to join our Architectureteam based in Newark, with hybrid working available.
This is a fantastic chance to work on diverse, high-profiledevelopment projects across sectors including strategic land, logistics,retail, aviation, healthcare, education, advanced manufacturing, data centres,and energy. Whether you're actively seeking your next challenge or open toexploring new possibilities, this role offers the opportunity to influencestrategy, lead talented teams, and deliver exceptional outcomes for ourclients.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As an Associate Director, you'll play a pivotal role inshaping and delivering architectural solutions that meet client objectives andexceed expectations. You will lead projects from bid stage through tocompletion, ensuring that client requirements and deadlines are met whilemaintaining the highest standards of quality. In this role, you will takeownership of planning, reviewing, and managing projects, while also drivingbusiness development initiatives through the preparation of tenders, presentations,and active participation in sector meetings. Building trusted advisorrelationships with clients and stakeholders will be central to your success,alongside contributing to strategic business plans and supporting operationalgoals. You will also mentor and manage team members, fostering a positiveculture that promotes collaboration, talent development, and careerprogression, while providing technical leadership to guide the team indelivering outstanding results.
Your Impact in this Position
You'll be instrumental in driving project success, securingnew business, and maintaining our reputation for excellence. Success in thisrole is measured through leadership, collaboration, and delivery of innovativearchitectural solutions. With clear pathways for growth and the chance to makea meaningful impact, this is a role where your expertise and achievements areactively supported.
Your Toolkit for Success at RPS
At RPS, we recruit using core capabilities-the essentialskills, experience, and responsibilities required to perform the roleeffectively.
But here's the secret: there's no such thing as the'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for thisrole, we'd love to hear from you.
Technical Expertise
You will bring considerable technical knowledge and hands-on experience in thedesign and delivery of complex architectural projects, particularly within industrialsectors. This includes a deep understanding of building regulations, planningprocesses, and compliance standards, as well as the ability to apply innovativedesign principles that balance functionality, sustainability, and aestheticappeal. Your expertise should encompass the full project lifecycle-from conceptand feasibility studies through detailed design and constructionoversight-ensuring that every solution is practical, commercially viable, andaligned with client objectives. A strong awareness of both local and nationalmarkets is essential, enabling you to anticipate trends, respond to regulatorychanges, and deliver designs that meet the evolving needs of diversestakeholders. Proficiency in industry-standard design software, BIM methodologies,and digital collaboration tools will be key to driving efficiency andmaintaining technical excellence across all projects.
Leadership & Mentoring
As an Associate Director, you will be a visible and influential leader who setsthe tone for collaboration and excellence within the team. Your ability toinspire and motivate others will be critical in creating a culture wherecreativity, accountability, and professional growth thrive. You will lead byexample, providing clear direction and fostering an environment whereindividuals feel empowered to contribute their best work. Beyond managingday-to-day operations, you will take an active role in mentoring teammembers-sharing your technical expertise, guiding them through complexchallenges, and supporting their career development through structured feedbackand coaching. Your leadership will extend to building team cohesion, promotingknowledge sharing, and ensuring that every member feels valued and supported.By balancing strategic oversight with hands-on involvement, you will help shapea high-performing team that consistently delivers outstanding results whilenurturing the next generation of architectural talent.
Strategic Project Leadership
You will demonstrate exceptional ability to lead complex projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with client objectives, timelines, and quality standards. This competency encompasses strategic planning, resource management, and proactive problem-solving to deliver outstanding architectural solutions. Your role will involve balancing operational oversight with hands-on involvement, driving efficiency while maintaining creativity and technical excellence. By fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and building trusted advisor relationships with clients and stakeholders, you will ensure projects are delivered successfully and contribute to the long-term growth and reputation of the business.
Business Development
You will be expected to demonstrate a strong commercial mindset and the abilityto identify opportunities that drive growth and strengthen our market position.This means actively seeking new business prospects, nurturing relationshipswith potential clients, and leveraging your industry knowledge to anticipateemerging trends. You will play a key role in securing new projects by preparingcompelling tenders and presentations, attending sector-specific meetings, andrepresenting the business at networking events. Your contribution to strategicgrowth plans will be vital, as you provide market intelligence, influencebusiness strategies, and help shape the direction of our architecturaloffering. By combining creativity with commercial acumen, you will ensure thatour services remain competitive, innovative, and aligned with client needs.
Communication & Relationship Building
Exceptional communication skills are fundamental to success in this role. Youwill be adept at articulating complex technical concepts in a clear andaccessible manner, whether in written reports, formal presentations, or clientmeetings. Building and maintaining strong relationships will be at the heart ofyour approach-fostering trust and collaboration with clients, colleagues, andexternal stakeholders. Your ability to listen, understand, and respond toclient objectives will ensure that projects run smoothly and expectations areexceeded. Internally, you will contribute to a positive team culture bypromoting open dialogue, encouraging knowledge sharing, and supportingcolleagues at all levels. Externally, you will represent the business withprofessionalism and confidence, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted advisorand industry leader.
Mandatory Requirements
Chartered status of a relevant professional body.
Ability and willingness to travel as necessary
Beneficial:
Strong commercial awareness and financial acumen.
Experience in strategic planning and business development
About Tetra Tech RPS
Tetra Tech RPS is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environmentacross all areas of our organisation. We recognise that a broad range ofbackgrounds and perspectives contributes to a more dynamic, innovative, andsupportive workplace where every individual is empowered to share their ideasand contribute meaningfully.
Weare dedicated to building a culture of respect and equity, where people arevalued regardless of their ethnicity, gender identity, age, belief system,sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.
Inalignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments tosupport candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This couldinclude adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physicalworkspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during therecruitment process or in your day-to-day role. Flexible and part-time workingoptions are available in this role, with working patterns agreedcollaboratively between employees and line managers to support individualwellbeing and optimal performance.
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