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- Tasks: Lead technical delivery and ensure top-notch design standards in exciting architectural projects.
- Company: Join Purcell, an award-winning employee-owned architectural consultancy with a focus on innovation and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, study sponsorship, sabbaticals, and a supportive environment for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in architecture while collaborating on iconic buildings and heritage projects.
- Qualifications: 15+ years as a qualified architect with strong technical design and leadership experience.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values kindness, respect, and authenticity.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
The Technical Director will provide strategic and hands-on leadership across the practice's technical delivery, ensuring the highest standards of design resolution, compliance, buildability, and contractual risk management. The role combines technical excellence with team leadership, contributing to the practice's reputation, efficiency, and commercial success.
Purcell is an award-winning employee-owned architectural and heritage consultancy practice with a commitment to quality, innovation, and diversity. We have staff of approximately 300 talented architects, designers, heritage consultants and surveyors across 14 offices, in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia. Winners of Architect Employer of the Year 2022.
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 offer a rewarding and supportive environment for personal and professional development and our employee-owned ethos empowers everyone to use their voice. 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.
It is our distinctive employee-owned working culture that has contributed to our status as a World Architecture Top 100 Practice, renowned for our excellence in architecture and heritage consultancy.
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
- Enhanced learning & development opportunities
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership
- Lead, set and maintain best-practice standards and compliance for technical design, detailing, specifications, and documentation.
- Act as a senior technical authority, providing guidance on complex design, construction, and compliance matters.
- Ensure consistency of technical standards, processes, procedures and quality across the practice.
- Lead, direct and support key architectural support teams including BIM, Technical Leadership Group, Specifications writing, BRPD and CDM PD.
- Project Delivery
- Provide support to our senior leaders responsible for delivering from RIBA Stage 2 onwards, with particular focus on RIBA Stages 3-5.
- Set standards and undertake ad-hoc reviews to educate and ensure compliance for all key technical outputs, including drawings, specifications, and schedules.
- For key projects ensure we have appropriate and consistent processes to properly manage coordination with consultants, contractors, and specialist subcontractors.
- Provide support and ensure we have processes and procedures in place to proactively manage technical risk, value engineering, and design change.
- Contractual Risk Management
- Work closely with our contractual lead to ensure timely reviews on all bid stage and secured contract agreements.
- Assist in any difficult contractual negotiations to finalise project agreements.
- Facilitate timely advice and responses to contractual matters.
- Engage and support on any claims that we receive at project level.
- Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Work with the Business Management team to champion robust QA procedures, technical audits, and lessons-learned reviews.
- Ensure projects comply with UK Building Regulations, British Standards, planning conditions, and statutory requirements.
- Maintain awareness of evolving legislation, including Building Safety Act requirements and gateway processes.
- Practice Development
- Assist in developing and mentoring technical staff across all levels.
- Direct and support the development of office-wide technical processes, BIM standards, and digital workflows.
- Support bids, tenders, and interviews by providing technical input and strategy.
- Represent the practice externally with clients, contractors, and industry bodies.
- Team Leadership & Mentoring
- Line-manage the regional technical leadership group members.
- Provide mentoring, training, and technical support to senior regional technical leaders.
- Encourage a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Typical Anticipated Time Allocation
- 20% direct involvement on live major projects
- 25% cross-practice technical reviews
- 25% strategic planning, leadership & management
- 20% developing & teaching processes, tools and resources
- 10% input to bids / new business
Skills & Experience
- Essential
- 15+ years post qualified as ARB-registered Architect or Chartered Architectural Technologist (CIAT) or equivalent.
- Significant post-qualification experience delivering UK-based projects.
- Strong expertise in technical design, detailing, and construction methodologies.
- Proven experience leading technical delivery on medium to large-scale projects.
- Excellent knowledge of UK Building Regulations, construction contracts, and procurement routes.
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence internally and externally.
- Experience working within BIM-enabled environments (e.g. Revit).
- Experience of both new build and working with existing buildings.
- Experience of delivering projects over £50m construction cost.
- Experience of different procurement routes - traditional / D&B / CM.
- Desirable
- Experience across multiple sectors (e.g. residential, commercial, education, healthcare).
- Experience with Design & Build procurement.
- Involvement in practice-wide standards, QA systems, or digital transformation.
- Experience contributing at senior management or board level.
Personal Attributes
- Technically rigorous and detail-oriented.
- Calm and decisive under pressure.
- Collaborative leader with a supportive management style.
- Commercially aware and solutions-focused.
- Committed to professional development and mentoring others.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to play a key strategic role in a growing practice.
- Collaborative, design-led working environment.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Clear progression and leadership opportunities.
- Support for continued professional development.
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.
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.
We are proud to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and authenticity, where everyone can thrive and bring their whole selves to work.
Technical Director employer: Purcell
Contact Detail:
Purcell Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their values and recent work, especially in heritage and conservation. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in joining their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your technical expertise and leadership experience, as these are key for a Technical Director role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our award-winning team at Purcell. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Technical Director role. Highlight your technical leadership and project delivery experience, as these are key to what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our practice. Be sure to mention your experience with UK-based projects and your approach to team leadership.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, don't shy away from detailing your knowledge of UK Building Regulations and construction methodologies. We want to see how your expertise can enhance our technical delivery.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Purcell
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Technical Director, you'll need to showcase your expertise in technical design and compliance. Brush up on UK Building Regulations and construction methodologies relevant to the projects you’ll be discussing. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led technical delivery on large-scale projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong team leadership, so prepare to discuss your experience in mentoring and managing teams. Think of instances where you've fostered collaboration and encouraged a culture of technical excellence. Highlight how you’ve supported your team in overcoming challenges.
✨Be Ready for Contractual Discussions
Since contractual risk management is key, brush up on your knowledge of construction contracts and procurement routes. Prepare to discuss any past experiences where you navigated complex contractual negotiations or managed claims at the project level.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Development
Purcell values personal and professional growth, so be prepared to talk about your own development journey. Share how you’ve contributed to practice-wide standards or digital transformation, and express your enthusiasm for mentoring others in the field.
