With a progressive and people-centric approach, RKD is recognised a global leader in terms of employee satisfaction, workplace culture, and providing the tools for people to do their best work.
Our organisation is certified as a Most Loved Workplace® by the Best Practice Institute, and Newsweek named RKD as a Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplace.
We know why people choose to work at RKD because we engage with every one of our 245 people. We listen to them, we hear them, and we adapt to better meet their needs. Our horizontal structure, knowldge-sharing culture, and clear promotion pathways enable everyone to achieve their potential and go as far as their talent takes them.
Their reasons are as varied and diverse as the people themselves—but individuals are empowered by common themes when they join Team RKD:
Our business reputation
RKD is 112 years in business, with a reputation built on 3 brand pillars: design, leadership, and people. We’re respected in the industry, trusted as team players, renowned for quality and innovation, and we’re always looking forward. Our clients trust us, they stay with us, and we follow them internationally, including global brands such as Microsoft and Diageo. 75% of our turnover comes from repeat business.
Our diversity of work types & geographies
We command a comprehensive and diverse work portfolio across 7 key sectors. Our people have opportunities to specialise or diversify their knowledge and experience. We have an international office spread in 10 cities across 7 European countries, and we’re growing. We offer the flexibility of remote work, tailored work-life balance arrangements, and family leave policies including paid maternity & paternity leave. Our people work with a wide range of clients, from large multinationals to small local charities.
Our diversity of thought
A diverse workforce creates the best ideas, and our ideas are made better by the diversity of our people. We have 47% female representation across total staff and 24 nationalities speaking 26 different languages. We’re 40% female owned, with 23% female representation across our Associate & Senior Associate management group.
Our sustainability focus
RKD was the first large practice headquartered in Ireland to sign the Architects Declare register, demonstrating clear commitment to supporting sustainability & positive climate practices in the construction industry. Sustainability + Research is one of our 7 key sectors, with in-house specialists who conduct research, support our project teams, and provide strategic advice to clients.
Our technology focus
We are ISO-certified leaders in BIM, with highly developed internal structures for technical upskilling led by a dedicated Digital Delivery Lead with support from dedicated BIM coordinators, a dedicated Technical Director, and multiple technical groups including an AI task group.
Our culture
We are authentic, pragmatic, data-driven, people-centric, and friendly. Our growth mindset is closely aligned with business strategy and personal progression support. We value credibility, authenticity, growth orientation, and diversity. Ours is a meritocracy-based high-performance culture, empathetic but with relentless performance management. High employee engagement is indicated by low turnover (7% in 2023).
Our common purpose
At RKD, everyone understands the importance of their work. We make ourselves accountable, and we take responsibility for using design as a powerful force for positive change. We share knowledge, we command technical skill, and we exert influence to create a better and more sustainable future through our ability to shape the built environment.
To learn more about how RKD can help you develop your talent, challenge your capabilites, and feel empowered as part of an internationally diverse team, take your next step with us: