Senior Architect (maternity cover)/Uwch Bensaer (cyfnod mamolaeth) in Murton

Join the team! We're a small team of people with big ambitions to create a better world together. We are looking for passionate and ambitious individuals who are keen to join a team committed to making a difference. If you thrive while doing work that changes lives and creating a positive impact on our planet, we want to hear from you!

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a Senior Architect to join our team on a 12 month maternity cover contract. We are looking for an individual with excellent organisation, communication and project management skills to ensure the smooth running of both projects and our architectural practice. You will need to have good attention to detail, as well having a problem solving mindset and have good interpersonal and relational skills, both for team management and client engagement. Experience and an interest in sustainable architecture and the use of natural materials is essential. You will have been ARB registered for 5+ years, have experience in using software such as Revit, InDesign & Photoshop, as well as hand drawing skills and presentation skills.

Responsibilities:

• Practice Management & Business Development: Guides the growth of Down to Earth’s architecture team in both sourcing work and managing the execution of work within the architecture team. Has overall project management responsibility for Architecture projects including budget and resource management and reporting. Has overall responsibility for architectural office management including PI cover and ARB Code. Tenders for work. Sets up professional services contracts and letters of appointment. Maintains strong client relationships and represents the client throughout a project.
• Architectural Project Work: Contributes to multiple Architecture projects that span all of the RIBA stages. Activities include: Preparing and contributing to stakeholder engagement activities, including the Lead Consultant role. Writing briefs, assessing the needs of the building/user and the impact on the local environment. Working on building models in Revit. Generating drawings and schedules and visualisations. Preparation of specifications and reports. Preparation and submission of planning applications, liaison with planning departments. Coordinating compliance with building regulations and other elective standards such as structural warranty. Contributing to design coordination and communication with other professionals and clients. Managing a budget and programme through design phase. Ensuring that the environmental impact of the project is managed. Attending and contributing to design reviews. Working collaboratively with the in-house construction team to quality assure manufacturing and construction work.
• Wider Down to Earth Activities: Contribute to wider Down to Earth activities that support its growth and ways of working as a team. Attend and contribute to whole Down to Earth meetings and trainings. Support cross‑functional projects as necessary.

Working hours and location:

We are open to applicants who are interested in working between 4-5 days a week - with 50% of the hours being based on our beautiful, handcrafted sites on Gower and 50% working from home. Wednesdays and Thursdays are the minimum days of the week we'd need covered - with the remaining days being open to discussion and mutual needs. Our normal working hours are 8:30am - 4:30pm.

This role will mostly be based at our Murton and Little Bryn Gwyn sites on Gower, with travel required across South Wales as needed. Travel outside of normal working hours for commuting purposes may be required for up to 75 minutes from your home location. Due to the locations of our work, the role requires access to a personal vehicle.

Salary range:

We are offering a salary of up to £43,434.30 per year for a full‑time equivalent role of 37.5 hours per week. The salary offered is dependent on experience and qualifications.

Contract Duration:

This is a Maternity Cover role for 12 months. Depending on how the architecture practice develops, we may be able to offer an extended contract after the initial 12 months.

Purpose & Scope:

As the Senior Architect in our small Architecture team, you will oversee the project workload of the team as well as contribute your architecture expertise for a range of projects both for Down to Earth’s own sites and for external clients. As the Senior Architect, you will coordinate a small design team designing buildings that blend natural construction with contemporary design, using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) that blend both traditional and natural construction methods with the best of cutting‑edge construction techniques. You will also work closely with our CEO to guide the growth of Down to Earth’s architectural work. Down to Earth offers sustainable construction to participants from diverse backgrounds to improve education outcomes as well as improving wellbeing. As the lead in the architecture team, you will be embedding these principles into projects from their very inception and support the future growth and work of Down to Earth.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• 5+ years ARB registered
• Detailed understanding of natural, energy efficient and sustainable design
• Significant experience of either healthcare or education sector projects
• Project team co‑ordination of medium size projects including budget control
• Significant experience of architectural office management including project resourcing
• Construction tender management
• Great interpersonal skills and client engagement
• Networking and design presentation skills
• Leadership capabilities
• Efficient time management
• Flexible and responsive attitude to work
• Experience using Revit
• Experience using InDesign and Photoshop
• Hand drawing skills
• Presentation skills
• Ability to think creatively and solve problems
• Organised and able to work to project deadlines
• Eager to learn and expand their experience

Desirable Skills + Experience:

• Led research and development projects
• Experience with community engagement and consultation
• Interest or experience in inclusive design
• Working knowledge of ‘conventional’ construction materials, methods, their applications, drawbacks and cost/programme implications
• PHPP, AECB or other building performance certification
• Welsh language ability

Benefits and work environment:

• Having a positive impact on people and the planet
• 25 days annual leave (excluding Bank Holidays) plus additional annual leave after 5 years' service and other time off options
• 3% employer pension contributions
• Extensive training and team development, including annual team away days
• Free access to our stunning sites for personal events
• Subsidised EV charging
• Employee benefits package including Income Protection & Life Assurance as standard with the option to opt in to Private Medical Insurance (inc dental/optician) and Critical Illness cover.

Application process:

Please submit an up to date CV detailing your relevant skills and experience, a portfolio (max 10 MB) as well as a document containing answers to the following questions:

1. Why you are the right person for this position. Based on the job description and person specification listed above, please tell us why you are the right person for this position. Please provide specific examples of what you have achieved and what you have been personally responsible for – relevant to the role.
2. Sharing the vision. Tell us why you’re interested in joining Down to Earth. Feel free to complete this section in any format (written/video/illustration etc) which communicates best for you.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 19 July 2026. Interviews: Monday 27 July 2026. Planned start date: September 2026.

If you have any questions or difficulties in uploading the required documents please contact us via email on jobs@dte.org.uk