Job Description:

A well-established, award-winning architectural practice is looking to appoint an experienced Senior Architect to join its friendly and collaborative Leeds City Centre studio.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished Architect with significant post-qualification experience who is ready to take a senior role within the practice, leading projects, supporting colleagues and developing strong relationships with clients and consultants.

With more than 60 employees across five UK offices, the practice has developed an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality architecture across a diverse range of sectors. Just as importantly, it has created a supportive, inclusive and flexible working culture where people are encouraged to develop their careers without sacrificing work-life balance.

The practice is a proud holder of Investors in People (IIP) Gold accreditation and ranks among the highest-scoring architectural practices globally – reflecting its genuine commitment to employee development, wellbeing and creating a positive place to work.

The Role
As a Senior Architect, you will take a leading role in the design, coordination and delivery of projects across RIBA Stages 0-7, with responsibility for ensuring projects are delivered to a consistently high standard.

Working alongside Architects, Designers and Technologists, you will lead projects and project teams, coordinate multidisciplinary consultants and act as a key point of contact for clients, contractors and other stakeholders.

Alongside project delivery, you will play an important role within the wider studio, providing guidance and support to less experienced team members, sharing technical knowledge and helping to maintain high standards of design and delivery.

This position would suit an established Senior Architect or an experienced Project Architect who is ready to take the next step in their career and assume greater responsibility for projects, clients and teams.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Taking overall responsibility for the successful day-to-day management and delivery of architectural projects
• Leading projects through multiple RIBA stages from concept through to completion
• Managing and coordinating architectural project teams and allocating workloads where appropriate
• Producing and overseeing high-quality planning, tender and construction information
• Reviewing drawings, schedules, specifications and technical packages produced by the wider project team
• Coordinating architectural information with structural, MEP and specialist consultants
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients, contractors, consultants and local authorities
• Managing project programmes, deadlines, resources and deliverables
• Chairing and contributing to client, design team, consultant and site meetings
• Reviewing design and technical information to ensure quality, coordination and regulatory compliance
• Identifying and resolving complex design, technical and coordination issues throughout the project lifecycle
• Providing guidance, mentoring and technical support to junior Architects and other members of the team
• Supporting the development of best practice and consistently high technical standards across the studio
• Building strong, long-term relationships with clients and external consultants
• Contributing positively to the wider development of the Leeds studio and the practice

About You

The successful Senior Architect will combine strong design and technical abilities with the leadership, communication and organisational skills required to successfully manage projects and project teams.

You should be comfortable taking ownership of projects, making informed decisions and representing the practice confidently in front of clients and other stakeholders.

You will also be someone who enjoys working collaboratively and supporting the development of colleagues around you.

You should ideally have:

• ARB registration as a qualified Architect
• Significant post-qualification experience within a UK architectural practice
• Previous experience operating at Senior Architect or experienced Project Architect level
• A proven track record of taking responsibility for the successful delivery of architectural projects
• Strong experience across multiple RIBA stages, particularly detailed design, technical delivery and construction
• Excellent technical knowledge and the ability to oversee coordinated construction information
• A thorough understanding of UK Building Regulations, planning requirements and relevant technical standards
• Experience leading and coordinating multidisciplinary consultant teams
• Confidence managing and developing relationships with clients, contractors and other project stakeholders
• Experience managing project programmes, deadlines and competing priorities
• The ability to lead, support and mentor less experienced members of an architectural team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A proactive, practical and solutions-focused approach
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality architecture
• Revit experience would be advantageous, although it is not essential

Projects & Practice

One of the major attractions of this opportunity is the variety of work available.

The practice has a particularly strong track record within the Education sector, alongside an increasingly diverse portfolio encompassing:

• Education
• Commercial & Industrial
• Healthcare
• Leisure & Arts
• Residential
• Sport & Recreation

Current commissions include a £23m Bioeconomy Institute, an Indoor Air Quality Research Centre and a hostel refurbishment scheme, providing the successful Senior Architect with exposure to interesting, complex and technically challenging projects.

The varied workload means there is scope to lead projects across different sectors and project types rather than becoming restricted to one area of architecture.

Why Join?

This is a practice that places considerable emphasis on its people and recognises that a positive working environment is fundamental to producing good architecture.

The Leeds team offers a friendly and approachable studio environment, while the wider practice provides the resources, expertise and project opportunities associated with an established multi-office business.

For an ambitious Senior Architect, this represents an opportunity to take a prominent role within the studio, lead interesting projects and continue progressing towards further senior and leadership responsibilities within the practice.

The successful candidate can expect:

• Salary of £45,000 - £50,000, depending on experience
• Flexible and agile working arrangements, including opportunities for home working
• A supportive and inclusive studio culture
• A genuine commitment to work-life balance and employee wellbeing
• Clear opportunities for further career development and progression
• Ongoing training, mentoring and CPD support
• Exposure to projects across a broad range of sectors
• The opportunity to lead projects and develop long-term client relationships
• The chance to mentor and support developing members of the architectural team
• Regular social events and team activities
• A comprehensive and generous benefits package
• The stability and opportunities offered by an established, award-winning UK architectural practice

Apply

If you are an established Senior Architect seeking a supportive practice where you can lead interesting projects and play an influential role within a collaborative studio, or an experienced Project Architect ready to progress into a more senior position, this could be an excellent opportunity.

To apply, please click ‘Apply’ or contact James Jackson at Conrad Consulting for a confidential discussion.