Hybrid Senior Architect – Conservation Architecture

at Donald Insall Associates

• Job title: Senior Architect – Conservation Architecture
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Oxford, United Kingdom

About the role

• Senior Architect leading heritage-focused architectural projects in Oxford studio. Driving design excellence and mentoring teams in the historic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, organisation, and execution of accurate, high-quality project information (drawings, specifications, reports) across all RIBA stages, ensuring technical correctness and compliance with practice standards (QA/EM) and relevant legislation. Utilise Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe CS expertly.
• Independently manage the flow of communication between all project stakeholders (client, consultants, contractors, authorities, site), ensuring collaborative working and effective follow-up. Chair meetings and produce high-standard minutes/reports.
• Take lead responsibility for project delivery, managing changing priorities, maintaining focus on time, quality, and productivity, and ensuring projects remain on target against programme and fee.
• Lead site inspections, proactively address quality issues, and manage contract administration duties effectively.
• Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate appointment documents are in place and manage the application process for all necessary project permissions.
• Maintain project plans.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks (technical, financial, programme, safety), devising appropriate solutions and seeing them through.
• Manage project profitability through careful management of time and resources, contributing to fee proposals and invoicing processes.
• Mentor Architects and Assistants effectively, delegating tasks appropriately and supporting their professional development.
• Actively contribute to winning new business, potentially leading contributions to design competitions or proposals.
• Lead internal design dialogues and 'lessons learnt' sessions, sharing expertise and promoting best practice.
• Keep senior management informed of project status and contribute strategically to efficient team/practice operation.
• Act as a prominent ambassador for the studio and the practice.

Requirements

• ARB Registered Architect with significant post-qualification experience (typically 5+ years) and varied, successful job-running experience.
• Sound and demonstrable knowledge of all UK planning and building legislation and their practical application in complex historic contexts.
• First-rate design and technical skills, with deep understanding and ability to lead the production of comprehensive technical packages.
• Demonstrable passion for and expertise in conservation, historic buildings, high-quality new design in historic settings, and addressing the climate emergency.
• Excellent knowledge of traditional construction methods and materials.
• Expert working knowledge of Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite. Awareness and potential application of BIM Level 2 protocols.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; proven ability to draft technically robust, concise, and persuasive documents.
• Proven ability to operate effectively under pressure, manage concurrent deadlines on major projects, and achieve results while maintaining focus on both the big picture and crucial details.
• Act competently as Contract Administrator (CA), CDM Principal Designer (CDM PD) and Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD), under the supervision of others.
• Maintains up-to-date H&S competency such as through RIBA H&S test or CSCS card
• Demonstrable strategic thinking applied to project delivery and problem-solving.
• Strong, demonstrable problem-solving skills: proven ability to think ahead, manage ambiguity effectively, devise appropriate solutions independently, and ensure project targets (timescales, fee, quality) are met.
• AABC or RIBA (SCA) accreditation is expected before further career advancement into either Associate or Technical Associate roles.

Benefits

• Competitive industry-benchmarked salaries
• Profit-share bonus
• Private healthcare
• Pension
• Holiday starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays) which increases with tenure
• Paid professional fees
• Relevant accreditations
• Payment of a further journal subscription
• Numerous annual training days
• Individual CPD allowance
• Internal CPD programme
• Other benefits