Senior Architectural Design Officer in Manchester

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 14 April 2026

Closing Time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

Legal Right to Work: Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This role is subject to: 2 References – where possible we require 3 years' history.

Qualification: HNC/HND or degree level qualification in a construction related discipline.

The Capital Programmes Division is looking to recruit an experienced CAD practitioner for its Senior Architectural Design Officer position. The service is responsible for developing and delivering Major and Minor Capital Programmes across the City. The current value of the programme is approx. £200m pa. The portfolio of work is varied and some of our current and previous projects that we have been involved in include, for example, the construction of new schools, large scale solar PV installations, building demolition, repair, maintenance & refurbishment of heritage buildings, school refurbishments, galleries, leisure, and park buildings.

The role is based in the Design Team, which is one of the teams that sit within the Capital Programmes Division's Project Management Office (PMO). The Design Team is responsible for providing technical design and drafting expertise and guidance on a range of construction projects to other construction teams within the Division. As well as playing an active part in the custodianship of drawings / 3D models and monitoring of quality of information issued out to both internal and external clients, the role holder will support the Design Manager to deliver a customer focused service that supports the Major and Minor works programmes fee earning teams and be actively involved in the way data is captured and managed regarding all built assets.

Role will also involve:

• Setting up drawing office standards and developing manual and instruction books for staff to follow.
• Developing and setting work targets and reviewing progress against these targets.
• Managing other CAD Officers.
• Developing team CAD skills and assisting Design Manager in developing new design services.
• Managing quality initiatives in relation to all design documentation.
• Identifying areas of continuous improvement.
• Taking the lead on key CAD issues and having input in feasibility work.
• Visiting site for survey purposes or capturing asset data and attending meetings with clients and other third parties in person at various locations.

Flexible and hybrid working are available for this role, subject to business need.

About the Candidate

The successful candidate will have an HNC/HND/ degree level qualification in a construction related discipline and have an extensive knowledge of CAD/ICT applications and their use within the construction industry. A comprehensive understanding of the property and construction industry with an awareness of the overall impacts of the estate on the organisation is also required. You will also be familiar with the National Building Specification (NBS) and be able to advise on component specification and design detailing queries. Additionally, you will also have excellent communication, problem solving, analytical, planning and organising skills and be able to make effective decisions that support the team, the Division, and a range of internal and external clients.

If you have the required skills, knowledge, and experience, and would like to work in a dynamic and interesting environment, then we would like to hear from you.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance- Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension- You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave- Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks- Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow- We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member- We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave- Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the “Accessibility tools” button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details. These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.