Job Description

The Practice

Neil Kahawatte Architects design and deliver high quality projects, with a focus on environmentally responsive contemporary design, often in sensitive or historic contexts.

The practice specialises in design and project management for private residential projects across all stages from concept to completion, providing a high level of service and support to clients while carefully managing the overall process of each project.

Based in the London Borough of Islington, the practice comprises a small team, working collaboratively across projects in a supportive and friendly environment. Its studio is located between Archway & Tufnell Park, in a converted building overlooking central London. Projects are generally located across the London boroughs and surrounding counties.

The Role

Neil Kahawatte Architects are seeking to appoint a Studio Coordinator, capable of running the new business, administrative and support functions of the business and supporting the director with business development and practice management more generally. The role will be based in our North London studio and requires a highly capable and conscientious individual, with the following attributes and abilities:

A very organised & professional approach to all aspects of work.

Applying rigour & precision in all tasks.

A friendly, cooperative & can-do attitude.

Good confidence & interpersonal skills, both internally with colleagues, & externally with clients, consultants & others.

Good written & spoken English.

Good numeracy & arithmetic.

Self-motivated, productive, & resourceful.

Inquisitive, keen to learn & develop as a member of our team.

Take initiative & strive to constantly improve the running of the business.

An eye for detail & understanding of design, layout & aesthetics.

The above skills & approach will be essential for the role, which will be varied and wide-ranging across the three core responsibilities set out below. Priorities and workload will vary each month, but typically the larger portion of time will be spent on 'New Business, Marketing & Communications', with regular but smaller portions of time on 'Practice Administration' and on 'Managing the Studio & Digital Systems'. Prior experience of some/all of the specific duties outlined below would be beneficial but is not essential. The practice will train the successful applicant to undertake the role, which will include the following:

1 - New Business, Marketing & Communications

Monitoring & responding to leads & enquiries.

Preparing proposals & estimates for new business.

Setting up new projects & preparing appointment documents.

Maintaining & developing practice websites & SEO.

Managing social media accounts & content.

Coordinating content for press, advertising, blogs, newsletters, etc.

Managing business development & marketing.

Preparing graphics & diagrams.

Compiling, reviewing and proof-reading brochures, web-pages & documents.

2 - Practice Administration

Managing invoicing, payments, & bookkeeping.

Processing VAT returns & tax payments.

Preparing income & workload projections.

Coordinating payroll & liaising with accountants.

Coordination of employment contracts, staff appraisals & annual leave.

Managing insurance renewals & accounts.

Arranging quotations & bookings for consultants & surveys on behalf of clients.

Formatting measured surveys & setting up drawings in CAD.

Coordinating diaries & appointments.

3 - Managing the Studio & Digital Systems

Office purchasing, stationary, software, project documents, etc.

Managing & improving practice systems.

Monitoring & managing timesheets & resourcing.

Developing & maintaining templates, checklists & protocols.

Developing & maintaining practice manuals & guidance documents.

Coordinating cleaning, maintenance & organisation of the studio.

Coordinating subscriptions, software updates, upgrades & maintenance.

Answering phones & responding to email enquiries.

Minuting meetings & recording file notes.

The practice aims to offer successful candidates a good opportunity for career development, a competitive starting salary (based on levels of qualification, experience, and ability), together with a workplace pension, a friendly working environment and good work-life balance.

The position is advertised as full time, with standard working hours of 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday. The practice is happy to consider applicants with a preference or requirement for a part time role of between 0.6 and 1.0 full time equivalent. The following skills would be beneficial, but are not essential:

Detailed knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook.

Experience of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.

Experience of website development and SEO.

Experience of managing Instagram, LinkedIn & other social media.

Experience of digital accounting software.

Please send a short covering letter specific to the practice and role, outlining your reasons for applying, your salary expectations, your preference/availability for full-time employment or otherwise, and your availability to start, together with a CV, using the 'apply' link. Please include a short description of the attitude and approach that you would bring to the role.

Applicants of interest can expect to receive a prompt response however, the practice regrets that due to volume of interest it cannot always respond to others. Neil Kahawatte Architects is a RIBA chartered practice and an equal opportunities employer. No agency enquiries please.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Graduate

Pay: From 27,000.00 per year

Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:

London N19 5JT: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: NKA-StudioCoordinator-25