Karakusevic Carson Architects is hiring a practice manager and associate to join its team in London.
We are an award winning and design focused architecture practice specialising in public sector work and social housing for local authority clients both in London and internationally.
We are seeking a proactive and organised operational lead with astute commercial awareness to work as practice manager and associate. The ideal candidate has excellent communication and management skills and is someone who can work alongside the wider management team to ensure the studio achieves its long-term objectives.
The role reports to the principal and has line management responsibilities for approximately four team members.
Other key responsibilities are:
Operations, studio and facilities management:
- ultimately responsible for smooth running of studio’s operations
- manage supplier and subcontractor contracts and required records maintenance
- health & safety and welfare management of all premises
- filing of confidential information and maintaining practice filing systems, QA processes and compliance procedures
- manage leases, landlord relations, and any relocation or new premises projects
- oversee and negotiate company insurance policies and renewals
Management:
- coordinate, chair and minute management meetings
- record, report and advise on resourcing changes
- work with bids, communications, engagement and research leads to strategise, create and support output as required
- work with wider senior team to coordinate and manage appointments and contracts
- provide support, reporting or otherwise as required to principal and wider management team
HR:
- manage whole-life HR process for all staff from recruitment through to exit
- respond to and keep up to date with HR legislation and ensure
- ongoing compliance across all HR policies
- lead and care for the whole studio in a manner that promotes staff
- wellbeing, and manage all complex HR matters, working with external consultant
Finance:
- prepare payroll for external payroll, and sign off final payroll data
- work to create, maintain and deliver improvements on budgets
- sign off quarterly financial cycles for VAT and management reports
- manage year end and audit processes
- manage completion of corporation, partnership and other tax processes working with external accountant
- oversee contract accounting WIP and R&D claim process
- work with the finance manager to produce, monitor and report on month end project billing, cashflow forecasts and management accounts
- coordinate payment runs and make all bank transactions
- day-to-day financial operations and troubleshooting as required
IT:
- day-to-day management of IT
- management of external IT consultant
- management and troubleshooting of all IT assets, hardware and software
- management of major IT projects
- working to maintain IT budget/s
- working collaboratively with the BIM team and other team members to manage IT workflows where required
Required skills, knowledge and experience:
- minimum five years’ experience in an operations role
- minimum of three years working in a management role within an architecture, design, engineering or related professional services environment
- minimum of three years working in a HR capacity for a studio of at least 30 people
- demonstratable financial literary and minimum of three years’ experience overseeing financial operations, with detailed understanding of profit & loss, balance sheets, contract accounting, budgets and general day-to-day financial transactions
- minimum three years’ experience managing IT systems, infrastructure and systems
- excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
- ability to work under pressure and effectively multi-task
- ability to work independently and as part of a larger diverse and vibrant studio team
- excellent problem-solving
- ability to manage and appraise own working practices
- outstanding communication skills
Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
- experience with Rapport and Xero software
- experience dealing with tax, financial and legal issues in overseas jurisdictions
- detailed understanding of commercial and governance requirements for a private limited company
- awareness of construction law
- detailed understanding of constraints and issues relevant in contemporary architectural practice and wider industry
- knowledge of, and interest in, social housing, and civic and community facing design
This is a permanent, full time, in-person position Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.
The successful candidate must be in post week commencing 6 April 2026.
There will be a two-stage interview process which will commence at the earliest opportunity upon receiving suitable candidate applications.
To apply please send a CV and cover letter setting out why you are applying for the position. We are happy to have short pre-application calls with any interested candidates. To request a pre-application call, please email careers@karakusevic-carson.com
We are an equal opportunities employer and offer a vibrant and progressive workplace that thrives on shared ideas and collaboration.
www.karakusevic-carson.com
