Associate, Senior Architect/Designer

The Associate, Senior Architect/Designer (PL6) is responsible for leading multiple projects or large-scale projects, with accountability for overall design quality, technical content, feasibility, and building budget. This role combines design leadership, technical judgement, project oversight, and external representation. The position requires a high level of professional maturity, strong decision-making, and the ability to manage complexity across design, delivery, finance, and stakeholder relationships.

Purpose of the role

The purpose of this role is to lead and steer projects at a senior level, ensuring strong outcomes in design, technical development, and commercial performance. The Associate, Senior Architect/Designer plays a key role in maintaining project quality, managing risk, supporting business development, and representing UNS in formal and often sensitive contexts. The role also contributes to solving strategic, organisational, and project-related challenges in collaboration with the Leadership team.

Key responsibilities

• Lead multiple projects or large and complex projects through all relevant phases.

• Take responsibility for the overall design direction, technical quality, feasibility, and budget performance of projects.

• Be accountable for project results across design, technical, and financial aspects.

• Advise on and contribute to high-quality creative and architectural solutions.

• Advise on and guide technical solutions, ensuring projects are robust, feasible, and aligned with project objectives.

• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders across the full project lifecycle.

• Represent the project and/or UNS in client meetings, consultant coordination, public presentations, and other formal settings.

• Take decisions on complex or sensitive matters with sound professional judgement.

• Support or contribute to acquisition and business development activities where relevant.

• Identify, assess, anticipate, and control risks that may affect the design product, working process, project delivery, or the position of UNS.

• Work closely with the Leadership team to address and manage strategic or project-related risks.

• Apply organisational, political, and tactical awareness in complex stakeholder environments.

• Contribute to the development of project teams and support strong collaboration across disciplines.