Associate (Brisbane)

Design your Future with us

At Buchan our culture is shaped and led by our people. We empower our people to design a brighter, more sustainable future that influences life in our cities for the benefit of people and planet.

Over the last four decades Buchan has helped shape urban life in Queensland. From our new offices located on Turrbal and Yuggera Country, at the Greenhouse in Brisbane’s thriving West End, we are proud to contribute to the city’s evolution.

About Buchan

• Global reach, local expertise: With studios across Australia and New Zealand, Buchan brings together design experts and a legacy of delivering award-winning projects worldwide.
• 135 years of design leadership: From World Expo 88’s to the Australia Pavilion for Expo 2025, we’ve been redefining urban life and creating destinations people love.
• Cross-sector innovation: Our portfolio spans retail, mixed-use, residential, hospitality, and civic spaces, underpinned by sustainability and experiential design.
• Collaborative culture: We partner with leading international firms and leverage data-driven insights to deliver places of lasting community value.
• Brisbane heritage: We understand the city’s unique culture and climate, and we’re shaping its future with precincts like Bulimba Barracks and Nicholas Street.

The role

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate to play a key role in project delivery, team leadership and business growth. This position provides an opportunity to lead mid-sized  projects, mentor emerging talent and contribute to the strategic success of the practice.

You will have proven experience delivering architectural projects and managing multidisciplinary teams on mid-sized or complex projects in the sectors of retail and mixed-use or multi-residential.

You will be highly motivated and will play a key role in project delivery, team leadership and business growth. This position provides an opportunity to lead projects, mentor emerging talent and contribute to the strategic success of the practice.

As an Associate, you will foster a collaborative culture, champion design excellence and build strong relationships with clients and colleagues across the business. You will bring technical expertise, commercial awareness and a passion for delivering outstanding outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Design Excellence

• Drive design outcomes and contribute to evolving the design throughout the project life cycle.
• Lead design reviews for your projects and contribute to design reviews across the studio and wider practice, fostering collaboration and design excellence.

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Manage and coordinate all aspects of mid-sized architectural projects.
• Maintain high standards of design quality, technical excellence and project delivery.
• Oversee project programmes, resources and quality assurance processes.
• Drive continuous improvement in project management practices.
• Support project teams by providing guidance and leadership when required.
• Keep up to date with industry trends, regulations and standards

Commercial & Financial Management

• Manage project workstreams to achieve profitability targets.
• Monitor budgets, resourcing, deliverables and programme commitments.
• Ensure project outcomes are delivered in accordance with agreed scope and timelines.
• Maintain effective time management and project administration practices.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead by example, promoting a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Mentor, coach and support the professional growth of team members.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and advocate for business objectives.
• Foster strong working relationships across studios and disciplines.
• Support performance development, training and succession planning.
• Act as an ambassador for the practice through industry engagement and networking.

Business Development

• Contribute to winning new work through proposals and presentations.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships that generate future opportunities.
• Support business development activities, industry events and speaking opportunities.
• Assist with fee negotiations, project variations and contractual matters.
• Promote the practice and its achievements through professional networks and social media.

 Qualifications & Requirements

• Australian Registered Architect in jurisdiction of practice.
• Minimum experience 10-15+ yrs post-Masters.
• Must have proven experience with large or complex projects in retail and mixed-use or multi-residential sectors.
• Revit proficiency and a solid understanding of BIM workflows.
• Strong leadership, mentoring and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated commercial awareness and understanding of project profitability.
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to engage confidently with clients and consultants.
• Ability to build trusted client relationships and identify new opportunities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving capabilities.
• A creative and collaborative mindset with a commitment to design quality and continuous improvement.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements and timelines.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

 Benefits

• Competitive, industry benchmarked salaries
• Support for architectural Registration and professional memberships
• $1000 annual training allowance and paid study leave
• Leadership and professional development programs
• Women accelerator programs
• Graduate and student programs
• Mentoring program
• Inter-studio opportunities
• Social and community engagement activities
• Paid parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Employee referral bonus program
• Flexible working

Thank you for your interest in Buchan.

We have a number of exciting projects and are keen to hear of your experience and background and how you would like your career to grow with us.

In the meantime, you can learn more about Buchan by following us on social media and visiting our website for latest updates.

Portfolio + CV + Cover Letter

Send us a cover letter describing how you are suited to the role along with your CV and portfolio.

Portfolio tip: Don’t just tell us about the project (not the usual building blurb). Tell us about your involvement on the project, which phase/s, your contribution, what role you had in the team, any design or sustainability innovations, problem solving, client feedback, awards etc.

Applications are reviewed as they are received and interviews held as candidates are shortlisted. Due to the number of applications received, we may not be able to respond to you directly and only shortlisted candidates may be contacted. You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply.

We are a family friendly and equal employment opportunity employer.

Design your future with us.