Senior Architect -Residential Retrofit (London or Birmingham)
Senior Architect -Residential Retrofit (London or Birmingham)

Senior Architect -Residential Retrofit (London or Birmingham)

Birmingham Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead architectural delivery of high-rise social housing retrofit projects for safer, sustainable homes.
  • Company: Join Jacobs, a global leader in innovative architecture and design.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pension, generous holidays, and comprehensive health insurance.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on communities by transforming existing buildings into energy-efficient homes.
  • Qualifications: Chartered Architect with 15+ years’ experience in social housing retrofit.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and flexible working.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact: Shape the future of safer, sustainable homes. Here at Jacobs, our in-house Architect teams provide a full-service solution including architectural design, fire engineering, civil and MEP engineering, CDM, and Principal Designer roles. Join Jacobs’ Cities and Places team in Birmingham or London office to lead the architectural delivery of high-rise social housing retrofit projects—transforming existing buildings into safer, more energy-efficient homes for thousands of residents.

What You’ll Do:

  • Collaborate with experts across disciplines to deliver integrated, high-value solutions.
  • Drive the refurbishment of medium and high-rise residential buildings (5–20+ stories).
  • Oversee upgrades to external building fabric, passive and active fire safety systems, and service infrastructure.
  • Ensure projects enhance comfort, sustainability, and compliance under the Building Safety Act.
  • Lead a team, set standards, and ensure compliance, supported by in-house expertise.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Chartered Architect (ARB/RIBA) with 15+ years’ experience (or 10+ with significant recent retrofit projects).
  • Proven track record in social housing retrofit, ideally high-rise.
  • Strong technical knowledge of Building Regulations, fire safety, and sustainable design.
  • Awareness of the Building Safety Act (2023)—or willingness to develop expertise with our in-house support.

Our colleagues enjoy project diversity and global reach within a collaborative and innovative work environment as well as opportunities for professional growth and development.

Benefits:

  • Up to 10% pension
  • 24 days (+10 days bought) holidays
  • Free medical and income protection insurance and many more

Interested? Click to apply! Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees. With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace. As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role. We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

Senior Architect -Residential Retrofit (London or Birmingham) employer: Jacobs

At Jacobs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work environment that fosters professional growth and development. Our commitment to safety, integrity, and inclusion ensures that every employee feels valued and supported, while our hybrid working policy provides the flexibility needed to thrive in both personal and professional spheres. Join us in transforming communities through sustainable architectural solutions in vibrant cities like London and Birmingham.
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Contact Detail:

Jacobs Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Architect -Residential Retrofit (London or Birmingham)

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.

✨Show Off Your Skills

When you get the chance to meet potential employers, don’t hold back! Bring along a portfolio showcasing your best work, especially those high-rise retrofit projects. Let them see what you can do and how you can make an impact at Jacobs.

✨Tailor Your Approach

Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your pitch to Jacobs’ values and mission. Highlight your experience in sustainable design and compliance with the Building Safety Act. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the right fit for their team.

✨Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Jacobs and being part of our mission to transform the world for good.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Architect -Residential Retrofit (London or Birmingham)

Chartered Architect (ARB/RIBA)
Residential Retrofit
High-Rise Building Design
Building Regulations Knowledge
Fire Safety Expertise
Sustainable Design Principles
Building Safety Act Awareness
Project Management
Team Leadership
Collaboration Across Disciplines
Technical Problem-Solving
Compliance Assurance
Client Engagement
Adaptability to New Regulations

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Architect role. Highlight your experience in residential retrofit projects and any relevant qualifications, like your ARB/RIBA chartership.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about transforming homes into safer, sustainable spaces. Share specific examples of your past projects and how they relate to the work we do at Jacobs.

Showcase Your Technical Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of Building Regulations, fire safety, and sustainable design in your application. We want to see that you’re not just experienced but also knowledgeable about the latest standards and practices.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Jacobs!

How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs

✨Know Your Retrofit Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of residential retrofit projects, especially high-rise buildings. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that showcase your technical expertise in building regulations and fire safety.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Architect, you'll be leading a team. Prepare to share your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in previous projects. Think about times when you set standards or ensured compliance, and be ready to discuss those experiences.

✨Understand the Building Safety Act

Familiarise yourself with the latest updates on the Building Safety Act (2023). Even if you're not an expert yet, showing your willingness to learn and adapt will impress the interviewers. Bring up any relevant training or resources you've engaged with.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

Jacobs values collaboration across disciplines. Be prepared to talk about how you've worked with other professionals—like engineers or project managers—in past projects. Highlight your ability to deliver integrated solutions and how you can contribute to their team dynamic.

Senior Architect -Residential Retrofit (London or Birmingham)
Jacobs
Location: Birmingham
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  • Senior Architect -Residential Retrofit (London or Birmingham)

    Birmingham
    Full-Time
    48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.)
  • J

    Jacobs

    10000+
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