Senior Inclusive Design Consultant – David Bonnett Associates

David Bonnett Associates (DBA), the London inclusive design and access consultancy that has been owned by its employees since 2024, is recruiting a senior inclusive design consultant for its studio in Hackney, East London. The listing was posted on 21 October 2026 and applications close on 17 November 2026; the salary is not disclosed.

Founded in 1994 by Dr David Bonnett, the practice has fifteen staff with backgrounds in architecture, landscape design, conservation, planning and surveying. It advises on everything from listed galleries and landscape schemes to masterplans, transport interchanges and residential developments, and its work includes Bloomberg’s European headquarters, Burntwood School and Newport Street Gallery, all Stirling Prize winners, as well as the Royal Festival Hall, the British Museum and Buckingham Palace.

The role

The permanent, full-time post sits at the centre of the practice and mixes consultancy with leadership. Alongside delivering inclusive design projects across the UK, the senior consultant will guide team members, work closely with the directors on how the studio runs and keep standards high across delivery, coordination and performance.

• Help with the day-to-day management of DBA and act as a link between the wider team and the directors
• Take part in management meetings on project allocation, long-term scheduling and quality control, including setting the practice’s position where standards are ambiguous
• Support business development and marketing, check consultants’ reports, train new consultants, coordinate project support, organise internal and external CPD and contribute to fee proposals and budget control
• Lead project work: client and design team discussions, access reports and statements, design advice, site visits and access audits, drawing reviews and consultation sessions

Requirements

• Knowledge and experience of access and inclusive design in the built environment, with a commitment to the social model of disability
• A sound grasp of the Equality Act 2010, the RIBA Inclusive Design Overlay and local and national standards and planning policy; knowledge of London standards is useful, as most projects are in the capital
• The ability to read architectural drawings and to produce clear Access Reports and Access Statements for planning and building control
• Confidence with clients and design teams, the ability to juggle several projects and strong writing with attention to detail
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat and InDesign

NRAC consultant-level accreditation (or working towards it) is preferred, and a degree in inclusive design, architecture or construction is an advantage, as is experience of working with access groups and stakeholders at consultation events.

The package includes Employee Ownership Trust bonuses, a pension, 25 days of holiday rising to 30, a free daily lunch, a cycle to work scheme, eye care vouchers, paid professional memberships (RIBA, ARB, NRAC and the Access Association), CPD, part-time home working and studio social events.

How to apply

Apply via the application link with a cover letter on your experience, suitability and salary expectations, a CV and a portfolio of past and recent work of no more than 10 MB, by 17 November 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and applicants need the right to work in the UK. Reasonable adjustments are available during the process; mention any access requirements in your application.