Senior Architect in Canterbury

Purcell are expanding our team and are looking for an exceptional Senior Architect to join our Canterbury team. This role offers the opportunity to be involved in projects at all RIBA stages, working collaboratively with clients, colleagues and consultants. We offer a rewarding and supportive environment for personal and professional development.

This is an excellent opportunity to join our talented team, and we are keen to talk to architects with excellent technical skills and project running, as well as enthusiasm for high quality work. Purcell is an award-winning employee-owned architectural and heritage consultancy practice with a commitment to quality, innovation, and diversity.

Collaboration is central to our employee-ownership culture, providing opportunities to work on some of the finest buildings; from meticulous heritage and conservation schemes to bold contemporary design. We believe in creating an equitable and inclusive culture, founded on our values, which celebrates knowledge sharing and our successes, to build an inspiring work environment.

Our benefits package includes agile, flexible and hybrid working (a minimum of 3 days in office, up to 2 days WFH), annual leave increasing with long service, life assurance, study sponsorship with paid study leave, sabbaticals, employee assistance programme, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, virtual GP service, subscription fees, company day out, a volunteering scheme and enhanced learning & development opportunities.

The role will involve applying technical design leadership within a project team as well as within the wider studio, working on a range of projects that vary in size and nature. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Programming and planning technical design packages, defining outputs and deliverables.
• Day to day management and leadership of projects (or packages within a larger project) successfully delivering positive design, client satisfaction and financial outcomes.
• Reporting to your team leader and wider studio leadership team.
• Liaison and coordination of design professionals within a multi-disciplinary design team.
• Regular communication with clients and project stakeholders.
• Undertaking technical design reviews/audits of projects and sharing feedback and lessons learned.
• Line management of up to three people.
• Being part of a diverse, inclusive and creative team of architectural professionals.

We are looking for candidates who have the following skills:

• At least 10 years of post-qualification experience working as a Project Architect for a UK-based practice with RIBA/ARB professional qualification.
• Excellent technical and detailing skills.
• Conservation experience, with conservation accreditation desirable.
• Completed work on Listed buildings and sites with heritage significance.
• Strong understanding of UK Building and Planning regulations.
• Proven experience working across all RIBA stages, particularly stages 4-7.
• Experience in using and/or managing others using technical software, including AutoCAD, Revit, and NBS software (essential).
• Project management and contract administration skills.
• Leadership experience in managing a small to medium-sized team.
• Well-organised, proactive, and enthusiastic approach to work and projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong client-facing communication skills.
• Experience taking responsibility for the financial success of projects.
• Enthusiasm for developing wider team skills and sharing knowledge and experience.

This job description is a guide to the duties the post holder will be expected to undertake. It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive and will be subject to change as working requirements dictate and to meet the organisational requirements of Purcell.

Don’t meet every single requirement? That’s okay. Research shows that women and people from underrepresented backgrounds can be less likely to apply unless they meet every criteria listed. At Purcell, we are committed to building an inclusive, transparent, and welcoming team. If you’re enthusiastic about the role and excited to grow and learn with us, we warmly encourage you to apply.

When applying, please feel free to use your preferred name - we don’t require full or birth names at this stage. We are proud to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and authenticity, where everyone can thrive and bring their whole selves to work.

Please submit a copy of your CV and portfolio by following the application workflow. Please upload your CV and portfolio as one file. Please include details of your Right to Work in the United Kingdom, as well as an available start date.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback. If you have not heard from us within 6 weeks of your original application, then you have been unsuccessful. Please continue to look at our vacancies and apply where relevant. We wish you all the best in your job search.

As world leaders of heritage and conservation, Purcell is committed to embracing diversity and equal opportunity within our international teams, reflective of the society in which we work and live. We welcome people from all backgrounds and celebrate differences through our culture of employee ownership.