Are you looking to take your architecture career or business to the next level?
When finding the right job in Architecture or finding the right person for your team, Stephen is your unfair advantage.
When you work with an expert coach, you get access to their guidance, knowledge and expertise, instead of spending valuable time figuring it out yourself. This saves you a lot of time, energy and money.
Stephen worked In-House in an Architecture Practice in charge of recruitment as Head of Talent, he has worked also in the Architecture Industry as a Part II Architecture Assistant and successfully recruited for the world’s leading architecture practices for 7 years before setting up the Architecture Social.
He has seen every side of the recruitment process, from being the hiring manager, the recruiter as well as the job seeker in Architecture. This means that Stephen knows what it takes to be noticed and make a positive impression in the industry.
Testimonials from designers and industry talent:
FAQs about Career Coaching for Architecture Professionals and Businesses
Navigating a career in architecture or building a successful architectural practice presents unique challenges and opportunities; discover how specialist career coaching with Stephen Drew and the resources of Architecture Social can provide you with a distinct advantage.
What exactly is career coaching for architecture professionals, and how does it differ from general career advice?
Career coaching for architecture professionals is a specialized, collaborative partnership designed to help individuals within the architectural field navigate their career paths, achieve specific professional goals, and overcome industry-specific challenges. Unlike general career advice, which might offer broad suggestions, architectural career coaching provides tailored strategies, insights, and accountability rooted in a deep understanding of the architecture industry’s unique culture, demands, career structures, and recruitment nuances. This includes specialized guidance on portfolio development, understanding niche software requirements (like Revit), preparing for Part 3 qualifications, and navigating the specific expectations of architectural practices.
The process typically involves one-on-one sessions where the coach helps the client identify their strengths, weaknesses, and career aspirations. Together, they develop actionable plans for areas such as job searching, career transitions, skill development, interview performance, salary negotiation, and leadership growth. An effective architecture career coach, like Stephen Drew, brings not only coaching expertise but also direct experience from within the architecture and recruitment sectors, offering a nuanced understanding that generalist coaches cannot provide. This ensures the advice is practical, relevant, and directly applicable to the architect’s career journey.
How can career coaching with Stephen Drew specifically help me as an individual architecture professional?
Stephen Drew’s coaching can provide a significant advantage at various stages of your architectural career. Whether you’re a recent graduate seeking your first role, a Part II/III looking to make the right move, or an experienced architect aiming for a leadership position or career transition, Stephen offers personalized support. His coaching focuses on tangible outcomes like refining your CV and portfolio to meet current industry standards, mastering interview techniques tailored to architectural roles, and confidently negotiating salaries and benefits. He can also help you identify and articulate your unique selling points, navigate difficult career decisions, handle rejections constructively, and strategically plan your long-term career trajectory.
The coaching sessions are designed to be highly practical and tailored to your specific needs and goals. After sessions, you receive video and audio recordings for review, reinforcing learning and allowing you to revisit key insights. Furthermore, you gain access to a private coach’s cohort group on the Architecture Social platform, providing a supportive community for ongoing peer interaction and learning. Stephen’s approach is about empowering you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to not just find a job, but to build a fulfilling and successful career in architecture.
What makes Stephen Drew uniquely qualified to be a career coach for architecture professionals?
Stephen Drew possesses a rare and comprehensive 360-degree perspective of the architecture industry, making him exceptionally qualified. His journey includes working as a Part II Architectural Assistant at EPR Architects, giving him firsthand experience of design practice. He then spent seven years as a specialist recruitment consultant, successfully placing architects in leading global practices, which provided him with an intimate understanding of what firms look for. Crucially, he also served as Head of Talent at Ackroyd Lowrie, an architecture practice, where he was responsible for internal recruitment, talent strategy, and staff retention. This unique combination of being a practitioner, an external recruiter, and an in-house talent leader is a key differentiator.
Beyond his direct industry experience, Stephen is deeply embedded in the architectural community. He is the Founder of Architecture Social, a major online platform for the industry. His affiliations include being a member of the RIBA Future Architects and Education Development Groups, an ambassador for the Architect’s Benevolent Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and a former elected RIBA Council Member. This extensive involvement, coupled with his passion for helping architects thrive, means his coaching is informed by current industry trends, best practices, and a genuine understanding of the challenges and opportunities architects face.
I run an architectural business. How can Stephen Drew's coaching and Architecture Social's services help my company's recruitment and talent strategy?
For architectural businesses, Stephen Drew offers “Business Coaching” that leverages his extensive experience as a Head of Talent and specialist recruiter to help you refine your internal recruitment processes and overall talent strategy. This isn’t just about outsourcing your recruitment needs (though Architecture Social also offers recruitment agency services); it’s about empowering your firm to become more effective at attracting, assessing, hiring, and retaining top architectural talent yourself. Stephen can provide strategic advice on enhancing your employer brand to appeal to high-caliber candidates, optimizing your job descriptions and interview techniques, and developing robust onboarding and retention programs.
His coaching approach for businesses is consultative, drawing on his insights from successfully building teams within an architectural practice and understanding the common pitfalls firms encounter. By working with Stephen, you can gain clarity on your talent needs, learn how to build a more efficient and effective recruitment pipeline, and ultimately create a more engaged and stable team. The broader Architecture Social platform also offers tools for businesses, such as advertising job openings to a targeted audience and accessing industry intelligence, complementing the bespoke coaching Stephen provides.
Why is there an hourly charge for coaching, and why might Stephen Drew's services not be the cheapest option?
Professional coaching, including Stephen Drew’s specialized services for architects, involves an hourly charge that reflects the significant value, expertise, and personalized attention you receive. This fee accounts for the coach’s dedicated time, extensive industry experience (in Stephen’s case, as a practicing architect, specialist recruiter, and Head of Talent), relevant qualifications, and the bespoke preparation involved in tailoring sessions to your specific career goals or your business’s recruitment challenges. The aim is to provide a high-impact, focused intervention that delivers tangible results, making it an investment in your professional future or your company’s growth.
While Stephen Drew’s coaching may not be the cheapest option available, the pricing reflects the premium, multifaceted expertise and comprehensive support offered. You are investing in insights gained from years on all sides of the architectural employment landscape – a perspective that is rare and highly valuable. This depth of understanding allows for more effective strategies, potentially leading to faster career progression, better salary outcomes, or more successful recruitment campaigns for businesses. The value lies in the quality of advice, the tailored approach, and the potential for a significant return on investment, rather than simply the cost per hour.
What if I can't afford paid coaching right now? What free resources does Architecture Social offer?
Architecture Social is committed to supporting the entire architectural community, regardless of whether individuals can currently afford paid coaching. The platform hosts a vast array of high-quality free resources designed to help architecture professionals at all career stages. This includes an extensive library of articles and guides covering topics like CV and portfolio development, job search strategies, interview tips, BIM, industry trends, and career progression. There are also practical free tools such as a Notice Period Calculator and a Pay Rise Calculator, and opportunities to have your work showcased.
Furthermore, the Architecture Social podcast offers engaging conversations and insights from industry leaders and peers, covering a wide range of career-related topics. The platform features a comprehensive job board, salary information guides, a community forum (the “Club”) for networking and discussions, and even AI-powered resources like ArchGPT. You can also subscribe to a newsletter for regular updates. For those specifically looking for CV and portfolio feedback, Stephen Drew sometimes offers free public reviews featured on the Architecture Social Podcast and YouTube channels, providing valuable insights to a wider audience.
How does Stephen Drew's coaching compare to other architecture career coaches, and where is he best placed to help?
Stephen Drew’s coaching stands out in the competitive landscape due to his unique “360-degree” experience within the architecture industry. While other coaches may specialize in architectural careers, few possess Stephen’s combined background as a former practicing architect, a specialist architecture recruiter for leading firms, and an in-house Head of Talent at an architectural practice. This means he understands the industry from the perspective of the job seeker, the external hiring consultant, and the internal decision-maker responsible for building and retaining teams. This holistic insight allows him to offer exceptionally well-rounded and practical advice.
He is best placed to help ambitious architecture professionals at all levels who are serious about making significant progress in their careers, whether that involves securing a new role, negotiating a better package, or planning long-term development. For businesses, his expertise is invaluable for firms looking to strategically improve their own talent acquisition and retention capabilities, going beyond just filling vacancies to building a sustainable talent pipeline. The integration of his coaching with the extensive resources and community of the Architecture Social platform also provides a unique, ongoing support ecosystem that many independent coaches cannot offer.
How do I get started with Stephen Drew's coaching, and what is the typical process?
Getting started with Stephen Drew’s coaching is straightforward. The primary point of contact is the coaching page on the Architecture Social website (architecturesocial.com/coaching/). Here, you can explore the different coaching options available, which range from intensive “Power Hour” sessions to specific CV or portfolio review packages, interview preparation, and shorter 30-minute advice calls via Microsoft Teams or phone. You can select the option that best suits your immediate needs and book a session directly.
Once a session is booked, it will be tailored to your specific career situation and goals, as discussed during the booking or at the beginning of the session. Stephen’s approach is collaborative and action-oriented. After your coaching session, you will receive a video recording and an audio transcription, allowing you to review the discussion and key takeaways at your convenience. Additionally, clients gain access to a private coach’s cohort group on the Architecture Social platform, offering a valuable space for continued learning, peer support, and networking with others who are also focused on their architectural careers.
What kind of results can I realistically expect from career coaching with Stephen Drew?
Getting started with Stephen Drew’s coaching is straightforward. The primary point of contact is the coaching page on the Architecture Social website (architecturesocial.com/coaching/). Here, you can explore the different coaching options available, which range from intensive “Power Hour” sessions to specific CV or portfolio review packages, interview preparation, and shorter 30-minute advice calls via Microsoft Teams or phone. You can select the option that best suits your immediate needs and book a session directly.
Once a session is booked, it will be tailored to your specific career situation and goals, as discussed during the booking or at the beginning of the session. Stephen’s approach is collaborative and action-oriented. After your coaching session, you will receive a video recording and an audio transcription, allowing you to review the discussion and key takeaways at your convenience. Additionally, clients gain access to a private coach’s cohort group on the Architecture Social platform, offering a valuable space for continued learning, peer support, and networking with others who are also focused on their architectural careers.
What is the Architecture Social, and how does it connect with Stephen Drew's coaching services?
Architecture Social, founded by Stephen Drew, is a comprehensive online platform and community hub specifically designed for architecture and design professionals, students, and practices. It serves as a central resource for industry news, job opportunities, salary information, career advice, networking, and professional development. The platform hosts a wealth of free content, including articles, guides, tools, a popular podcast, and a job board, all tailored to the needs of the architectural community. It aims to break down traditional barriers and foster a supportive ecosystem for creatives in the field.
Stephen Drew’s coaching services are an integral part of the Architecture Social offering. His coaching is deeply informed by the insights and trends observed through the platform and his active role within the community. Conversely, the Architecture Social platform provides a rich support system for his coaching clients, offering them access to extensive free resources, the private coach’s cohort group for ongoing peer support, and a direct line to the pulse of the industry. This symbiotic relationship means that coaching clients benefit not just from Stephen’s personal expertise, but from the collective knowledge and opportunities available through the wider Architecture Social ecosystem.
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You are in safe hands. We are a member of the global recruitment trade body, Apsco.
The Architecture Social is a member of APSCo (The Association of Professional Staffing Companies) which is the only membership body dedicated to representing excellence in the professional recruitment industry.
The APSCo badge is recognised by candidates and employers as the differentiating quality mark in professional talent acquisition.
As an APSCo member, we are also required to complete a regular member compliance assessment which enables us to demonstrate that not only do we understand our legal and regulatory obligations, but also that we are working to best practice recruitment standards.
A private and exclusive forum for Architecture & Design professionals and students.
Backed by industry specialists, it’s where you can engage in meaningful conversation, make connections, showcase your work, gain expert insights, and tap into curated opportunities to advance your career or strengthen your studio.
