About Das
We are an award-winning Architecture and Design practice working across Residential, Education, Community, Health, Workplace and Hospitality projects, with a focus on design that makes a difference.
From our light and bright studio on McLaren Street in Adelaide, and satellite studios in Melbourne and Sydney, we value collaboration, creativity and generosity in the way we work. Just as important as the projects are our people - we celebrate milestones, share ideas, and foster a culture that is supportive, inclusive and fun.
Having secured a range of new projects across a variety of sectors from $5m to $250m in value, our practice is embarking on a period of evolution and increased project scale and are excited about what is in store for 2026 and beyond.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Architect to lead our Education portfolio.
This is a senior position within the practice, responsible for the design leadership, delivery oversight and strategic growth of our Education projects. It also includes active participation in practice strategy and operations across staff development, short and long-term resourcing and planning, business development / submissions, and subject matter research and development.
You will be a key point of contact for our Education clients and stakeholders, working closely with our Directors, consultants and project teams to translate vision into impactful outcomes. You will be leading and supporting a team of Architects, Interior Designers and Graduates, actively involved across all elements of project delivery from inception to handover.
This role suits an Architect who thrives in a leadership position, enjoys mentoring others, and brings both strategic thinking and technical depth to their work. Tasks and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
* Leading the delivery of Education projects across all stages, from inception, briefing, masterplanning and feasibility, through to design, documentation, procurement, construction and handover.
* Providing design and technical leadership to project teams, ensuring outcomes are pedagogically sound, technically robust and aligned with Das Studio's design ethos.
* Acting as the client lead on Education projects, managing relationships with school leadership, governing bodies, Education departments and other stakeholders.
* Coordinating and managing multidisciplinary consultant teams, ensuring integrated, well-resolved design and documentation outcomes.
* Overseeing and reviewing design documentation, drawings, schedules and specifications to ensure quality, accuracy and constructability.
* Mentoring and supporting Architects, Graduates and team members, fostering capability, confidence and professional growth within the studio.
* Contributing to strategic planning and growth of Das Studio's Education portfolio, including thought leadership, submissions, EOIs and tender responses.
* Collaborating closely with Directors and the broader studio to align education work with practice priorities, resourcing and delivery programs.
* Supporting quality assurance processes and upholding studio standards across education projects.
Skills & Experience
We are focused on finding the right person - someone who can lead with confidence, bring clarity to complex projects, and support others while keeping the bigger picture in view. You don't need to tick every box, but the right candidate will bring a strong mix of leadership, sector expertise and delivery experience.
Ideally you will bring:
* 10+ years' industry experience, with demonstrated leadership on Education projects.
* Strong experience across Early Learning, Primary, Secondary and/or Tertiary education environments.
* Proven ability to lead project teams and manage complex client and stakeholder relationships.
* High-level capability in design development, technical resolution and construction documentation.
* Sound understanding of Australian building codes, Education standards, procurement pathways and consultant coordination.
* Experience in SketchUp for concept and design development stages.
* Proficiency in Revit and contemporary digital workflows e.g. Procore, Aconex, Revizto, for documentation and delivery stages (Das Studio is a Revit-based practice – if you are ArchiCAD proficient, we will support a transition across to Revit).
* Proficiency in specification and Principal's Project Requirements (PPR) documents.
* Ideally experience delivering projects for the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT)
* Excellent organisational, communication and time-management skills.
* Ability to work autonomously while contributing collaboratively within a studio environment.
* Registered Architect status essential.
* Alignment with Das Studio's Make Better ethos – make the way; make together; make with joy; and make generously.
What we can provide
* A professional workplace environment that seeks to positively impact our community.
* A practice with the ambition to lead industry by shaping it.
* Flexible start and finish times to accommodate personal and professional commitments.
* A commitment and support to your professional development and growth with a $1,000 annual fund towards Professional Development activities (Training, Conferences etc.)
* A competitive salary with additional incentives:
* 5% commission on fees for projects you bring into the practice.
* Access to Das Share – our practice's profit-sharing system – following 12 months of employment.
* A chance to have a real impact on business direction and operations.
* Access and support to participate in professional industry networks (AIA, PCA, LEA etc.), Tertiary education (Tutoring, Lecturing etc.) and awards programs (AIA, DIA)
* Regular social activities with a strong, supportive and fun team culture (we all genuinely really like each other)
* Finally, a workplace that values the health and happiness of their staff above all else, and a genuine commitment to wellbeing and work/life balance.
What we love to see
* Contributions to the profession via industry bodies, education and publication.
* Contributions to community via not-for-profits.
* Commitment to thought leadership and development of your craft.
* Passion for design and the impact that Architecture can have on supporting people and planet.
The role has been advertised with the intent of interviewing a shortlist of applicants in the last week of January 2026 and a start date in March 2026.
Please note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and you must have the right to work in Australia.
Please submit your expression of interest to - with your resume, a little bit about yourself, and why you feel you are the right person for this role.
A portfolio will be requested of shortlisted candidates.