Managing Director

About The Role

The Crowd are exclusively partnered with a mid‑sized design studio that is going from strength to strength and dominating its sector on an international level. They are seeking an astute, commercially minded Managing Director to join their close‑knit, thriving business on a permanent basis.

With a background in architecture, design or the built environment sector, and a commercially driven mindset, you will work closely with the founders to oversee and drive their already successful business forward. Our client has carved out a strong reputation in their space, with work spanning across the globe.

They are looking for a leader who is invested, has a strong appetite for success and growth and is excited to partner with the founders to oversee all commercial aspects of the business, freeing them up to focus on the creative and design side. You will lead strategic, commercial and operational initiatives and play a key role in driving the company forward.

This is a broad and exciting role where you can genuinely make an impact and make the role your own. With ample scope for growth and ownership, this is a fantastic opportunity for a driven and ambitious individual to become embedded in a leading creative design studio.

In addition to working with leading global names, our client offers a competitive remuneration package, including a profit‑related bonus, hybrid/remote working and a focus on employee culture and wellbeing. This is a rare and rewarding opportunity to join a desirable London‑based design practice in a senior position.

Please note: applicants must have prior experience in a leadership role within the architecture, design or built environment sector, although experience as a designer is not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the founders to ensure the efficient day‑to‑day running of the studio
• Involvement in bids, proposals and work winning, identifying areas of growth and improvement
• Oversee contract management, carrying out reviews and recommendations
• Own financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, pricing and margin control
• Drive business development and market expansion across key sectors and regions
• Lead and develop the leadership team, embedding accountability and high performance
• Strengthen senior client relationships and represent the business at an executive level where needed
• Build scalable systems, processes and governance to support continued growth

Key Skills / Requirements

• Exceptional leader with strong strategic and commercial acumen, able to set vision, define growth strategy and lead the business effectively
• Proven experience in a leadership role within the architecture, design or built environment sector (Middle East exposure highly advantageous)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
• Strong interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build trusted relationships both internally and externally
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage complexity and multiple priorities
• Numerically strong, with confidence interpreting financial data and commercial metrics
• Sound experience and understanding of contracts, commercial negotiations and risk management
• Comfortable leading through growth, change and increasing complexity
• Confident, decisive and accountable leader with a results‑driven mindset
• Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate senior teams within a creative environment
• Demonstrated success driving growth through client relationships, partnerships and market expansion

The Crowd is an equal opportunities employer and agency.

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