Senior Architect - Milan

At Bryden Wood, we are expanding our Milan team to support the delivery of some of the world's most complex and ambitious projects for leading technology companies, industrial organisations, and global investors.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Architect to join our growing team and play a leading role in the design and delivery of Data Centres, Advanced Manufacturing, Industrial, and other large-scale technical facilities across Europe and beyond. Depending on experience, capability, and local requirements, this position may be appointed as either Project Architect or Architectural Associate.

This is a unique opportunity to work on high-profile, technically demanding projects within a truly international environment, fully integrated with our UK headquarters and multidisciplinary teams across the business.

As part of our Milan studio, you will act as a key architectural lead, collaborating closely with colleagues across Architecture, Structures, Civils, MEP, Sustainability, Digital Design, and Project Management to deliver coordinated and innovative design solutions. You will play a critical role in guiding projects from concept through technical delivery, permitting, construction support, and client engagement, ensuring the highest standards of design quality and technical excellence.

Joining Bryden Wood means becoming part of a practice that is redefining how buildings are designed and delivered through design excellence, digital innovation, modern methods of construction, and industrialised design principles. Our teams work at the front‑line of the industry, helping clients solve some of their most complex challenges while delivering projects that are smarter, more sustainable, and more efficient.

This is an exciting opportunity for ambitious architectural professionals who are looking to take a leadership role on some of the most significant Data Centre and Industrial developments being delivered today.

The role

As a Senior Architect, you will act as one of the architectural leads on major European projects while contributing to the successful delivery of international programmes. You will work closely with multidisciplinary design teams, clients, and stakeholders to drive technical excellence, coordination, and project performance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and technical delivery across all relevant project stages, from concept design through technical design, permitting, tender documentation, and construction support.
• Act as a technical lead for complex projects, ensuring design intent is successfully translated into coordinated and deliverable technical solutions.
• Coordinate and oversee architectural deliverables, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance with project requirements and client expectations.
• Review and implement project‑specific design strategies that respond to Italian and relevant international building regulations, codes, standards, and client requirements.
• Lead or coordinate statutory approvals, permit applications, and submissions to local authorities and professional bodies, ensuring regulatory compliance throughout the design process.
• Manage multidisciplinary coordination with Structural, Civil, MEP, Sustainability, and specialist consultant teams to achieve fully integrated design solutions.
• Oversee BIM‑led design delivery, spatial coordination, technical detailing, and clash resolution processes across project teams.
• Support project planning, resource allocation, programme management, risk mitigation, and quality assurance processes.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to Architects and junior team members, supporting their professional development and technical growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, consultants, and project teams throughout project lifecycles.
• Contribute to design reviews, technical workshops, internal knowledge-sharing initiatives, and continuous improvement activities.

What we're looking for

• Education: A Master's Degree in Architecture (or equivalent 5-year professional degree).
• Professional Registration: Registration with a recognised architectural body (e.g. Ordine degli Architetti, ARB, or international equivalent) is required or actively being pursued, subject to local requirements and role level.
• Technical Leadership: Extensive experience leading architectural technical design development, coordination, and delivery across complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Regulatory Expertise: Strong knowledge of Italian building regulations and permitting processes, together with the ability to interpret and apply relevant international codes, standards, and client requirements.
• Experience: Minimum of 6–8+ years' post‑qualification experience, with appointment level (Project Architect or Architectural Associate) determined by experience, technical capability, and leadership responsibilities.
• Project Experience: Proven track record delivering large‑scale industrial, infrastructure, Data Centre, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, logistics, or other technically complex commercial projects. Previous Data Centre experience is highly advantageous.
• Permitting & Approvals: Demonstrable experience producing, coordinating, and/or leading permit submissions and official documentation for local authorities and professional bodies.
• Communication Skills: Full professional fluency in written and spoken English and Italian, with strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Project & Team Management: Experience managing project deliverables, coordinating multidisciplinary interfaces, supporting project programmes, and leading design teams.
• Digital Delivery: Strong proficiency in Revit for BIM authoring and technical documentation, alongside experience using Navisworks for coordination, model review, and clash detection.
• Leadership & Mentoring: A collaborative leader who can guide, support, and develop team members while fostering a positive and high‑performing project environment.
• Problem Solving: Excellent technical, analytical, and organisational skills, with the ability to confidently navigate complex design and delivery challenges.

At Bryden Wood, you'll have the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting and technically challenging projects in the industry, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across Europe and beyond. We are committed to creating an environment where talented people can thrive, develop their careers, and enjoy a healthy work‑life balance.

What we offer

• Competitive Reward Package – A highly competitive salary and benefits package, tailored to your experience and expertise.
• 9-Day Fortnight – Enjoy an additional day off every two weeks, with no reduction in salary and no requirement to work additional hours.
• Flexible & Hybrid Working – Benefit from a hybrid working model that supports collaboration, flexibility, and work‑life balance.
• International Project Exposure – Work on world‑class Data Centre, Industrial, Pharmaceutical, and Advanced Manufacturing projects for some of the world's leading organisations.
• Collaborative Global Team – Be fully integrated with our UK headquarters and international project teams, working alongside experts across Architecture, Engineering, Sustainability, and Digital Design.
• Professional Development – Access to structured career development, regular performance reviews, mentoring, and clear progression opportunities.
• Continuous Learning – Ongoing technical training, CPD programmes, and knowledge‑sharing initiatives to support your professional growth.
• Professional Membership Support – Reimbursement of relevant professional institution memberships.
• People‑First Culture – Join a friendly, inclusive, and supportive team that values innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Social & Wellbeing Activities – Regular team events, office gatherings, and social activities that help foster a strong sense of community.

This is a unique opportunity to combine the scale and ambition of a global design consultancy with the culture, agility, and career development opportunities of a growing MIlan‑based team.