Senior Associate, Technical Design

The Role:

The Senior Associate/Associate Design – Technical Projects will be instrumental in ensuring Unispace operates as an efficient and cohesive design-led business within the UK. This role will focus on providing strong technical design leadership and expertise, particularly for specialist projects including healthcare and workplace.

You will build excellent working relationships within our diverse and highly skilled London design team (creative & technical) and collaborate closely with the Pre-construction & Delivery teams. Your influence will extend to strategic planning for projects and accounts, and you will play a key role in establishing a network of trusted external technical design partners, primarily within the healthcare sector.

This role demands a high degree of technical knowledge within the UK design and construction industry, with a significant emphasis on healthcare and other technically focused projects. You will leverage your understanding of these sectors, including emerging areas like life sciences, to deliver projects, mentor designers, and potentially direct technically complex projects on a high-level advisory or design basis across the UK and potentially further afield.

Why You're Here:

As the Senior Associate/Associate – Technical Projects, you will champion Unispace's reputation as a design-led business that prioritizes outstanding design and technical innovation. You will lead technical design standards for specialist projects (healthcare), ensuring a clear understanding and promotion of the Unispace methodology with both clients and internal teams.

Your natural leadership abilities will be crucial in coaching project teams to success. You will also contribute to the development of the broader design team by sharing your deep technical knowledge and capabilities. Your specialist knowledge, particularly in healthcare design, will be used to cultivate a well-rounded team with cross-sector expertise, enabling Unispace to successfully deliver a wide range of projects. You will mentor internal teams, identify skill gaps, and foster the creation of highly skilled project teams.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Take overall accountability for the design, documentation, and technical design output for specialist projects across the UK, with advisory responsibilities extending to EMEA.


• Contribute to the commercial success of design projects by managing design fees, profitability, and the design contribution to full methodology projects.


• Actively participate in key client pitches, providing coaching and/or direct involvement.


• Contribute to the development and improvement of the design process for specialist projects, including the consistent application and investment in technical design software and the development of related skills within the design team.


• Collaborate with the global digital team to oversee the effective adoption of our design systems, including Revit, Enscape, ACC, and other new technologies.


• Provide regular reports on design initiatives, sharing insights with all design and wider teams to inspire and promote our design process.


• Undertake travel as required for client interactions, site visits, team training and development, and other business needs.


• Drive global initiatives at a country level.


• Ensure all design output adheres to Health, Safety, and risk guidelines, ensuring understanding at all levels.


• Guarantee design compliance with UK building regulations for healthcare facilities and planning guidelines.

What You'll Need to Bring:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in construction and fit-out project-related companies.


• Demonstrable knowledge in specific sectors, including Commercial, Health, and Life Science.


• Comprehensive understanding of the RIBA Plan of Work (Stages 0-7).


• In-depth knowledge of UK technical standards and mandatory processes, including local codes and regulations, particularly for healthcare.


• Strong working knowledge of Autodesk Software, especially Revit.


• Familiarity with International Standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 19650.


• Working knowledge and experience with sustainability accreditations (BREEAM, LEED, Ska, Greenlease, WiredScore, Fitwell).


• Working knowledge of CDM Regulations (UK) and Health and Safety in construction.


• Professional membership/registration (ARB, RIBA, CIOB, IIDA, BIID, CEng, MCIAT).


• Design and construction-related Degree or Masters qualification.


• CSCS Cardholder.


• Right to work in the UK.


• Current Driver's Licence.

Key Measures of Success:

• Leading and developing a project team that consistently delivers outstanding workplace and healthcare design with detailed and well-thought-out projects.


• Developing strong relationships with clients throughout projects, ensuring high satisfaction.


• Contributing to the success of winning design projects and full methodology engagements.


• Collaborating effectively with global and regional business units to ensure alignment with the Unispace brand.


• Maintaining excellent working relationships with stakeholders, including Sales, Pre-construction, and Construction teams.


• Demonstrating a strong and trusted understanding of the design process and its integration into our full methodology.


• Exhibiting excellent attention to critical factors of design excellence, including risk, systems, healthcare, and commercial design.


• Implementing effective risk management plans and protocols to safeguard UK design performance and adherence to Health, Safety, and risk requirements.


• Actively embracing and promoting technological advancements to enhance our design offering.


• Providing effective project direction and leadership on key projects, aligning with your specialist skillsets.