CKDS Architecture is seeking an Associate Director for the Central Coast office to take a senior role in work generation, architectural design, project leadership, client relationships and the ongoing development of the practice. Based in the East Gosford studio, this opportunity suits an experienced architectural leader who combines strong conceptual thinking with the practical judgement needed to guide projects through design development, documentation and construction. This is a hands on leadership position where you will remain actively involved in design and project delivery while mentoring staff, supporting client relationships and contributing to practice development.

The opportunity

Working closely with the Directors, you will help establish project design direction, lead multidisciplinary teams and contribute to the studio’s broader creative and commercial performance.

This is a hands on leadership position. You will remain actively involved in design and project delivery while mentoring staff, supporting client relationships and contributing to practice development.

The position is based in East Gosford and requires a regular presence in the studio (with regular visits to Newcastle office), together with attendance at client meetings, consultant meetings and project sites as required.

Your responsibilities

Design leadership

- Lead briefing, feasibility, concept design and design development, Documentation and Onsite Construction across a range of architectural projects.
- Translate client aspirations, site conditions and project constraints into clear and compelling architectural proposals.
- Develop and communicate design ideas through sketches, presentations, models and digital visualisation.
- Guide design reviews and maintain design intent as projects progress towards construction.
- Integrate environmental performance, material selection, buildability and budget considerations into design decisions.

Project leadership and delivery

- Lead project teams through relevant stages of design, approvals, documentation, procurement and construction.




- Coordinate clients, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders.
- Oversee project programmes, deliverables, resourcing and quality assurance.
- Monitor project scope, fees and delivery performance, identifying risks and variations early.
- Resolve design and coordination issues while balancing architectural quality with practical project requirements.

People and studio leadership

- Mentor architects, graduates and emerging project leaders.
- Provide clear direction, constructive feedback and support for professional development.
- Help build a collaborative studio culture founded on accountability, curiosity and design quality.
- Contribute to resource planning, workload management and improvements to studio processes.
- Share knowledge across the practice and support consistent design and documentation standards.

Client relationships and practice development

- Develop trusted relationships with clients, consultants and project partners.
- Lead presentations, workshops and stakeholder discussions.
- Contribute to proposals, submissions, project opportunities and repeat commissions.
- Work with the Directors on practice positioning, capability development and longer-term growth.

About you

- A recognised tertiary qualification in architecture.
- A substantial record of architectural practice experience, including senior responsibility for design, teams and clients.
- Experience operating at Associate, Associate Director, Director or an equivalent senior leadership level.
- A portfolio demonstrating solid conceptual design, architectural resolution and an understanding of built outcomes.




- Experience leading projects from early briefing and concept design through subsequent delivery stages.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
- Experience mentoring staff and contributing positively to studio culture.
- Commercial awareness, including an understanding of project scope, fees, resourcing and delivery risk.
- Strong written, verbal and visual communication skills.
- Proficiency in architectural design and documentation tools, with the ability to work effectively within the practice’s digital workflows.
- A commitment to working from our East Gosford studio and contributing to the practice over the long term.

Applicants should hold NSW architectural registration or be able to demonstrate a credible pathway to obtaining it. Appointment responsibilities and any registration requirements will be confirmed during the recruitment process.

Additional experience we would value

- Class 2 Residential Flat Buildings, Educational, community, Agecare, cultural, residential, hospitality or recreation projects.
- Practice leadership, business development or ownership responsibilities.
- Design visualisation, emerging digital tools and improvements to design communication.
- Applicants are not expected to have experience in every sector listed.

What we offer

- An Associate Director position with meaningful involvement in design and practice leadership.
- A base salary of $130,000–$155,000 per annum, plus superannuation, depending on experience and capability.
- The opportunity to work closely with the Directors and contribute to the practice’s future.
- A role combining architectural design, project leadership, mentoring and client engagement.
- An East Gosford studio base on the NSW Central Coast.
- Australian citizens, permanent residents and other suitably qualified candidates are welcome to apply. Employer sponsorship may be considered for an eligible candidate, subject to business requirements and applicable immigration requirements.

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📌 Associate Director — Architecture & Design Leadership (Gosford)
🏢 CKDS Architecture
📍 Gosford