Key Accountabilities
As Associate, own and lead project requirements, including coordination of associated disciplines, with a strong focus on delivery through construction and site phases. Develop, assign and manage deliverables across internal and external teams, ensuring projects are executed efficiently, to a high standard, and in line with client expectations.
As dRofus Lead, develop the HDR Architecture office standards and delivery methodology, coordinating and coaching our team to develop and manage our dRofus deliverables to a high standard and efficiency in line with client expectations.
Design Philosophy & Leadership
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Demonstrate familiarity with Design Philosophy and Leadership expectations and support the Project Director or Principal in successful implementation on your project.
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Clearly articulate and communicate design intent to project teams, consultants and clients.
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Demonstrate expertise in design parameters for specific sectors.
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Lead and facilitate design reviews, providing direction and constructive responses.
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Independently produce and oversee high quality schematic designs, design development packages and construction documentation.
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Coordinate the architectural design process, develop alternative solutions and presentation graphics to communicate concepts effectively.
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Produce high quality study models, renderings, montages, diagrams and presentations, including same or image boards, to clearly communicate design intent.
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Demonstrate a solid understanding of national / international design precedents in Health, applying best practice, innovation and considered design response.
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Lead early-stage project contributions through design brief development, site analysis and information gathering to support project direction and deliverables.
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Display strong sketching, diagramming, visualisation and verbal / visual presentation skills to support your involvement and contribution to project early stages.
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Review and interpret Design Reports from prior stages to gain insight into the cumulative project design narrative.
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Understand the hierarchy of current stage project Design Intent to determine a ‘critical / nice to have / minimum level of design’ appraisal of all elements.
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Propose creative and technically sound design solutions that capture / enhance the design intent of the project.
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Prepare for and contribute to internal and external design and documentation reviews, ensuring all design solutions enhance and maintain the project’s design intent.
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Demonstrate an advanced understanding of materiality and material limitations being specified and drawn within project-specific contexts.
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Translate Design Intent into clearly defined project deliverables across all project phases.
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Demonstrate sound understanding of how theoretical architectural design translates into commercial architectural practice (understanding the ‘Design Process’)..
Technical Delivery
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Work with the Project Director/ Principal to deliver the Project within the agreed fee and agreed target profit range and demonstrate awareness of commercial responsibility expectation.
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Take ownership of project requirements across multiple projects, ensuring alignment with scope, budget and timeline.
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Develop, assign and coordinate relevant deliverables of a team, including coordination and integration of work from external consultants or disciplines.
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Proactively identify project risks and develop well-considered mitigation strategies for review by the Principal/ Project Director.
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Understand and execute technical delivery to a high level of proficiency.
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Independently create high quality schematic, design development and construction documentation.
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Take ownership of assigned deliverables, using your knowledge and experience to deliver accurate and consistent outcomes.
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Possess sound fundamental knowledge of minimum project compliance requirements including DA, CC, BCA/NCC, DDA and AusHFGs ensuring documentation is aligned with codes and regulations.
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Demonstrate advanced attention to detail; review and quality check tour work and that of junior team members before submission.
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Maintain proficiency in all frequently used software’ including Revit, dRofus, MS Office, Adobe Suite.
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Maintain document control and ensure up to date documentation using HDR’s systems and workflows.
dRofus Responsibilities
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Develop and maintain dRofus management structure for project data for overall studio
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Management and integration of issues management data base, FFE management software - dRofus and with the Revit models.
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Support or where allocated to a project as dRofus lead coordination with client, contractors, architectural consultants, and other design consultants to ensure that databases ae up to date, accurate and produce the relevant information for the design, coordination and procurement.
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Logging of issues and involvement in the tracking and close out of issues.
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Extraction and manipulation of project data to assist design and client teams.
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Key role in management and compliance of the project fixtures and fittings.
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Demonstration to client team the designs compliance with the key briefing documents.
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Management of design issues/requirements with client team.
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Key facilitator and interface in the project team.
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Be a strong mentor and trainer to the architectural team to develop dRofus awareness and knowledge at all levels within the architectural health team.
Project Management
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Demonstrate understanding of Project Management expectations and support the Principal/Project Director in successful implementation on your project.
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Apply fundamental Project Management principles to support project delivery.
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Manage external requests (consultants, clients, contractors) by coordinating with Project Leaders and tracking potential scope changes via internal change control procedures on the HDR Variation Change Register.
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Proactively work with your Principal/Project Leader to understand and confirm weekly drawing, design and task deliverables.
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Proactively work with your Principal/Project Leader to understand and confirm the next Project Deadline and any critical dates affecting your apportioned work.
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Accurately manage time tracking and resource allocation, ensuring tasks are delivered within project budgets and timelines.
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Support monthly project financial updates including contributing to the HDR Deliverables Planner, estimating hours to complete and helping establish accurate Project Financial Status (Earned Value & Project Progress).
Project Commercial Responsibility
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Work with the Principal/Project Director to deliver the Project within the agreed fee and agreed target profit range and demonstrate awareness of commercial responsibility expectation.
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Contribute to the development of project fees, programs and resourcing strategies, including the preparation and negotiation of variations.
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Deliver projects within agreed fee structures to consistently achieve target profit margins.
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Deliver work efficiently and autonomously, identifying areas for improvement and best practice.
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Demonstrate a developing understanding of Architectural Fee structures and the commercial rationale for operational efficiency.
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Contribute to fostering a culture of continuous improvement across all aspects of project delivery and design coordination.
Business Development
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Support the sector Principal to achieve sector marketing, business development and NFB goals, in accordance with Business Development and Bid guidelines.
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Build and maintain strong industry relationships to support ongoing and future business opportunities.
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Act as a key client contact where required, where required, representing the studio professionally.
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Actively engage in opportunities to broaden knowledge across multiple typologies through all project stages.
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Promote HDR positively to industry and colleagues.
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Demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of HDR’s ABG core sector typologies in Australia.
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Support business development efforts by contributing to proposals, presentations and design documentation that reflect HDR’s design excellence and strategic value.
Culture & Growth
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Assist in implementing engaging office wide initiatives through active participation in the Associate/Senior Associate Group that will develop studio culture and provide opportunities for personal and professional staff development.
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Support Principal/Project Director to implement Culture and Growth initiatives.
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Champion a culture of professionalism, team collaboration and accountability.
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Model positive and solution-oriented teamwork.
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Take initiative in seeking out appropriate pathways for professional and self-development.
People Management & Leadership
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Coach and mentor any direct reports, providing guidance, sharing expertise and fostering a collaborative, high-performing project environment.
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Provide both formal and informal leadership within project teams, including organising workflows and delegating responsibilities effectively.
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Contribute to staff development by offering feedback for annual reviews and supporting performance management processes as needed.
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Collaborate with studio leadership on strategic initiatives, resource planning and team development to align with broader business goals.
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Recognise and escalate complex or sensitive issues to line management or HR as required.
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Communicate clearly and frequently with your colleagues, line manager and project teams.
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Communicate clearly and confidently with external stakeholders.
Desired Skills and Competencies
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Tertiary qualifications in Architecture
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Typically, 10-15+ years’ experience with demonstrated knowledge in building design and documentation.
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Registered Architect.
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Experience managing and delivering multiple projects of varying complexity and scale.
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Excellent leadership, team management and client relationship skills.
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Excellent communication / interpersonal skills.
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Strong problem solving and continuous improvement mindset.
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Highly proficient in dRofus.
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Collaborative, proactive and highly organised with good time management.
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Strong portfolio with a great eye for presentation and attention to detail.
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A keen interest in personal and professional development.
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Strong technical skills and proficiency with design software tools including Revit, Rhino and Adobe suite.
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Role model our HDR Values – Live the Network, Listen first, Hold ourselves accountable, Push Boundaries, Design Smart.
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An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture.
Why Join HDR?
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Employee ownership model – share in the success you help create
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Opportunity to become the recognised dRofus leader within a growing health practice
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Major project exposure across healthcare, education and science sectors
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Collaborative culture with access to local and global technical specialists
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Contribute to projects that improve people's lives and communities
Why This Role Is Different
This is more than a technical architecture role.
You'll become a key part of HDR's digital future, helping build and support a capability that is critical to the delivery of major health projects.
You'll combine project delivery, technical coordination and digital leadership, working alongside some of Australia's leading healthcare design professionals while shaping the way project information is managed and delivered across our studio. #LI-CG3
At HDR, you're not just part of the team — you're part of the business.
