JTB Architects is a 100% New Zealand owned practice, founded in Nelson in 1986.
Our team work collaboratively on a wide range of project types throughout New Zealand, offering diversity of work across a range of sectors.
JTB Architects’ 2025 Conference, Christchurch
We are a team-oriented practice, driven by high-quality design, professional integrity and a commitment to sustainable, thoughtful outcomes for the clients and communities we serve.
Our team of 50+ work from studios in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Wānaka. While connected as one nationwide practice delivering projects across residential, commercial, education, health and aged care sectors, each studio has its own unique culture, offering a balance of scale and individuality.
The wellbeing of our people and environmental sustainability are of utmost importance to us. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where our team can thrive both professionally and personally.
We offer health insurance for all full-time staff and are a Living Wage Accredited Employer. We’re proud to be certified Ekos Net Zero Carbon for Business Operations and members of the New Zealand Green Building Council, reflecting our commitment to responsible and sustainable design practice.
We support staff in achieving registration and have good success rates for team members achieving registration through each of the pathway types.
Members of our leadership team currently hold NZRAB assessor and NZIA board member roles, so we’re well placed to guide staff toward achieving registration and forming connections within our industry.
We encourage individual professional development and conduct regular external CPD presentations in each studio. Internal career progression is also supported, and a number of current team members have advanced from graduate roles through registration to leadership positions within the practice.
Principal Architect, Nelson
We are seeking a Principal Architect to lead the Nelson studio, offering the opportunity to shape a growing team and contribute to the broader direction of a respected national practice.
With a collaborative Practice Model and strong technical capability, the business has built a reputation for thoughtful design outcomes and long-term client relationships.
With a clear leadership structure and succession planning in place, this role offers a genuine pathway toward share ownership for the right person.
The Role
As Principal Architect, you will lead the Nelson team, ensuring projects are delivered to a consistently high design, technical and commercial standard. Working alongside a dedicated Design Lead, you will take ownership of projects from late concept design through to completion, ensuring strong delivery, clear handovers and continuity of design intent.
You will play an important role in shaping the studio, supporting your team and maintaining oversight of quality, performance and project outcomes.
Role Requirements
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- Registered Architect status in New Zealand
- 12+ years’ experience with a strong delivery background
- Proven experience leading teams and delivering projects through to completion
- Strong knowledge of NZ building and consent processes
- Demonstrable experience with project financial management – fee proposals/ monitoring, margin awareness, and resourcing decisions
- Commercial awareness and experience managing project performance
- A natural leadership style with a genuine interest in developing others
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships
What’s in it for You?
- A rare role to lead and grow a regional studio within a respected practice
- Senior-level influence across people, projects and performance
- A collaborative, design-led environment with strong national support
- A clear pathway toward shareholding and long-term career progression
- The lifestyle benefits of living in Nelson, known for its high sunshine hours, beaches & access to national parks
- A region offering real balance, combining a meaningful leadership role with space, pace and quality of life
- An attractive relocation option with strong community, great schooling and access to the wider South Island
Contact
All communication regarding this role is being managed by Archway Recruitment on behalf of JTB Architects.
For a confidential discussion or to find out more, please get in touch with Claire Smith 021 765 535
or claire@archwayrecruitment.com.
We are always interested in hearing from talented designers who believe they would be a good fit within our practice and share our values of quality, integrity, collaboration and sustainability.
If you have the right to work in New Zealand and a portfolio that demonstrates strong technical capability and innovative approaches to design, we would love to hear from you.
Please email your CV and portfolio to careers@jtbarchitects.co.nz.