Senior Architect - Palace of Westminster
ew projects offer the chance to leave a mark on history—but you won’t be doing it alone. At Purcell, we are a friendly, welcoming, and supportive team, working together to restore and renew the Palace of Westminster—one of the UK’s most iconic buildings. We believe in learning from each other, sharing knowledge, and ensuring everyone feels valued. If you’re a Senior Architect looking for a collaborative environment where you can grow, we’d love to hear from you.
This role offers the opportunity to be involved projects at all RIBA stages. 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 Senior Architects with excellent technical and conservation skills as well as enthusiasm to produce high quality work.
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 280 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 and enhanced learning & development opportunities.
We are looking for candidates who have the following skills and qualifications:
Essential
- AABC/SCA accredited, or willingness to work towards it, demonstrating a commitment to high standards in conservation architecture.
- Fully qualified Part 3 Architect with a minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience in a UK-based practice, ideally within conservation or heritage architecture.
- Strong project management skills, including planning, delivery, and coordination of projects across all RIBA stages.
- Proven ability to manage resources, timelines, and budgets effectively.
- In-depth understanding and practical experience of conservation architecture, including working with listed buildings, heritage sites, and the application of the principles of conservation and restoration.
- Strong technical skills in design, detailing, and the ability to resolve complex technical challenges, especially in relation to conservation projects.
- Comprehensive knowledge of UK Building Regulations and Planning Policy, including the special considerations involved in listed and historic buildings.
- Proven leadership experience, managing and mentoring small sized teams of Architects, Part 1 and Part 2 assistants, fostering a collaborative environment to ensure high-quality project delivery.
- A well-organised, proactive approach to managing multiple projects, with the ability to prioritise and handle competing demands efficiently.
- Excellent client management and communication skills, with a proven ability to manage client relationships, set expectations, and provide updates, ensuring satisfaction and successful project outcomes.
- Extensive experience working across all RIBA stages, from feasibility and design through to construction and post-occupation.
- Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality, detailed technical drawings and specifications, particularly within conservation and heritage contexts.
- Strong experience in using, and managing others using, industry-standard technical software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and NBS for the development of accurate drawings, specifications, and project documentation.
Desirable
- Experience with NEC3/4 contracts, with the ability to manage contract procedures and ensure project compliance with legal and contractual obligations.
- Experience managing project finances, ensuring the successful delivery of projects within budget and profitability targets. Ability to track project costs, prepare fees, and manage financial documentation.
- You have experience managing client relationships, confidently presenting design ideas, responding to feedback, and addressing concerns, while ensuring client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
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.
Please submit a copy of your CV and portfolio by following the application workflow at the bottom of the page. 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.