Associate - Conservation Architecture (North West) in Chester

For over 65 years, Donald Insall Associates has been working with the past to unlock opportunities within the historic environment. We set the standard for what heritage can be. With sustained success and a growing portfolio of prestigious conservation and heritage projects, our North region architecture practice continues to expand. We are strengthening our teams across our studios in Chester, Conwy and Manchester at several levels, offering opportunities for architects at different stages of their careers to contribute to thoughtful, design-led work within historic environments. We are keen to hear from talented, motivated architects who share our passion for conservation, heritage and the sensitive adaptation of significant buildings.

Whilst managing project teams you’ll actively develop colleagues' capabilities, and cultivate key client relationships. This role requires strategic thinking, strong commercial acumen, and a focus on achieving results through effective project and team management within our expert conservation practice.

We offer competitive industry-benchmarked salaries, a profit-share bonus, private healthcare, pension, holiday starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays) which increases with tenure, paid professional fees, relevant accreditations, payment of a further journal subscription, numerous annual training days, an individual CPD allowance, an internal CPD programme, and other benefits.

What you’ll be doing:

• Act as project lead through all RIBA stages, managing projects day-to-day to programme and fee budget, ensuring alignment with practice quality standards and achieving agreed project gross margin targets.
• Prepare and coordinate high-quality project documentation, ensuring clarity and technical accuracy.
• Manage project teams effectively: mentor, delegate tasks, oversee work, and actively develop the capabilities and potential of assistants, architects, and senior architects, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Coordinate project team outputs seamlessly with the wider consultant team.
• Act as the primary client contact, building strong relationships leading to high levels of client satisfaction and repeat business/referrals.
• Manage monthly project invoicing rigorously to achieve personal/team targets proactively manage project debtors to achieve targets.
• Maintain competency in CDM Principal Designer and Building Regulations Principal Designer role, ideally completed RIBA Principal Designer course.
• Maintain up-to-date H&S competency such as through RIBA H&S test or CSCS card.
• Identify and implement project efficiencies and service level adjustments while maintaining quality and profitability.
• Develop and nurture key client contacts strategically to generate repeat business and new leads.
• Mentor and potentially line manage colleagues, supporting skills development, career progression, and enabling team succession.
• Contribute to achieving your studio's net profit margin target through effective project and resource management.
• Contribute proactively to wider practice management (team/Associate meetings, SLT input).
• Represent the practice professionally (talks, events, publications, award submissions).

What we think you need:

• ARB Registered Architect with significant post-qualification experience (typically 6+ years), including demonstrated experience (e.g., 2-3+ years) successfully leading and managing architectural project teams.
• AABC or RIBA (SCA) accredited, preferred but not essential.
• Proven experience successfully managing complex architectural projects, delivering client satisfaction and profitability.
• Strong ability to lead, manage, mentor, and develop individuals and teams.
• Excellent client-facing communication, negotiation, and presentation skills (visual, written, spoken).
• Strong commercial acumen and aptitude for business management, including project financial control and fee negotiation.
• Strategic and conceptual thinking ability related to projects, teams, and client development.
• Developed networking and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational, planning, and analytical skills.
• Ability to deliver high-quality bids and successfully interpret client briefs.