A conversation with Georgie Brice | Meet the Bespoke Careers Melbourne Managing Director

From an early age, an architect’s career had always been the plan for Georgie Brice. Today, she leads our Melbourne office, one of seven offices we have across the globe. Here, Georgie shares the details of her journey from architect to recruitment consultant, her early days at Bespoke Careers, lessons in leadership, and the rewards of a relationship-driven career. 

What did you do before joining Bespoke Careers?

My journey began when I was 11 years old. I’d written in my diary, ‘When I grow up, I want to be an architect’. Pursuing this passion led me through five years of studying architecture, obtaining registration, and spending seven years in commercial practice.

As time passed, I began to question if this was truly my calling. I had gained valuable experience working in firms in Adelaide and Melbourne, but I felt a pull toward something different while still making use of my skills. Looking back, I realise what interested me most about the industry was all about people and connections.

My first contact with Bespoke Careers was for an architect position. My contact there was Kate Owens, who astutely noticed that as I was going through my folio, my passion was less about the design work and more about facilitating, coordinating and dealing with people. That got her thinking I might be good at recruitment – and that’s how I got the job!

How would you describe your early days as a recruiter?

I started as a recruitment consultant, working alongside Kate. It was just the two of us, operating in a startup environment in a co-working space. 

I remember on my first day, Kate entrusted me with the company credit card to buy my work computer. (Hilarious looking back!) That kind of freedom and the atmosphere of a startup -but with the support of our London HQ made it really enjoyable. I found it invigorating and refreshing rather than daunting. 

We worked really hard to build up our network and contacts. We said yes to everything! From there, we steadily grew the Melbourne office and expanded the team to include people dedicated to specific areas – architecture, interior design, business support and product. The rest is history!

What attracted you to a recruitment career?

The fast-paced nature of architecture and design recruitment really floated my boat. After working on big architecture projects that could last for years at a time, I realised I was losing interest in that pace and I was in my element when working across lots of different things at the same time. I also just love people – getting to know what makes them tick, their journey to the point that I meet them and then helping them achieve their goals. Now, I can say, ‘I helped place this person into that practice and together they created that amazing project’.

How does the Bespoke team work together?

Bespoke Careers has a solid support network for its employees and leadership team. After my initial interview, I was connected with two of the consultants in our Sydney office who had made the same transition from Architecture into recruitment. Their guidance and shared experience was invaluable and gave me the confidence to pursue this path.

This cross-pollination of knowledge is common here. There's ongoing support for team members, especially when navigating unfamiliar territory with clients. Collaborating with colleagues from different offices ensures we're all leveraging the best practices and resources available. We all share the same database and encourage intercompany introductions of candidate between offices – we’ve helped so many people in Melbourne get jobs in Sydney, London, NYC, LA, Austin, Singapore… such a buzz! 

What is it like to transition into a leadership position? 

About six or seven years ago, I began leading an architecture recruitment team of three. That certainly was a learning curve!

As the business has expanded, I’ve had to learn how to step back and let colleagues grow their skills, which means relinquishing control of your clients and entrusting your team to do the daily work well. It’s not easy, as you do get attached to certain clients! But this is all part of what a leader does. 

Also, I’m a bit of an over-sharer when it comes to work knowledge. I love discussing with my team the lessons I’ve learned from conversations with clients and candidates. It’s a trait that has definitely helped me transition into a leadership position. 

Any advice for people curious about a recruitment role?

I'd emphasise the importance of integrity and relationship-building. It's essential to do what you say, honour commitments and treat everyone with respect. In architecture and design recruitment, candidates can become clients, and vice versa, so it's essential to maintain positive connections with everyone. I also genuinely care about everyone I work with and get such a thrill when I make the right connections between candidate and client.  

As with any industry, nurturing relationships is key. Maintaining clear communication with everyone – colleagues, clients, candidates – is foundational. Emotional intelligence and understanding how to manage others’ expectations effectively – these skills are vital for placing the right people into the right architect and design jobs.

As for leadership advice, I’d add that it’s important to see change as the norm and embrace it. Great team members will depart, new clients will come on board and markets do evolve, so there is always something new to adapt to. 

What does the work-life balance at Bespoke Careers look like?

It’s about the trade-off. I'm flexible with answering occasional emails or calls after 6 PM, but I make sure I can carve out personal time throughout the week to balance that out. We have strong memories from our previous roles in architecture (late nights!) so we prioritise work-life balance and don't expect team members to work excessively long hours. We need to bring our best selves to work!  

What advice would you give to your younger self?

My experiences have taught me that success depends on recognising what you're truly interested in and what your strengths are. Leaning in that direction, instead of trying to push a square peg into a round hole, will make your working life way more enjoyable. Ultimately, what you’re good at is what you’re interested in – pay attention to what speaks to you most! 

What’s in store for Bespoke Careers in Melbourne?

Our focus is on maintaining our presence as trusted advisors to our existing clients while expanding our network. We’re casting the net further for new kinds of companies that we haven’t had the opportunity to work with before, which is exciting. 

Also, we’re looking forward to having a ripper 20th birthday party with our clients in September! 

Connect with us

Do you have a similar story to share? Are you curious about a career in architecture and design recruitment? If you want to combine your passion for the industry with people skills, we’d love to give you an opportunity to make your mark. Contact me or one of our friendly team members here at Bespoke Careers for a chat.