Associate

We’re after a results driven, tenacious, go getter to take on managing a significant cultural project through all RIBA stages, working collaboratively with a broad consultant team whilst also delivering new business. We are a progressive practice, so you’ll need to understand our culture and strategy and be responsible for developing staff. It’s an entrepreneurial job, with lots of responsibility and the freedom to deliver results. You will have the ability to identify opportunities, with excellent prospects for career progression.

Candidates should hold at least 5-10 years post-qualification experience, and a knowledge of delivering large, innovative and complex interventions in historic buildings, ideally within the cultural sector. You should also be passionate about historic buildings and being involved in the care and development of them.

This position is ideal for a team player, confident in managing multiple workstreams while delivering the highest standards of projects from inception until completion within tight timescales.

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.

Applicants should be skilled in the delivery of large-scale architectural projects through all RIBA work stages, with the ability to successfully lead and manage a team. Excellent technical skills will be essential in this role.

Key elements of the role include:

• Successfully leading the design and delivery of a major cultural project through all RIBA stages alongside the practice leadership team and team principal.
• Developing relationships with clients, new and existing.
• Leading and supporting proposals and bids for projects.
• Coordination of internal and external works packages and team members.
• Complete projects to a high standard, on time and to budget.
• Lead, produce, assist and review the production of design and technical related information and reports, both written and graphic.
• Leading and supporting projects in conservation repair, refurbishment, alterations and additions, adaptive re-use and construction detailing.

Skills, Knowledge, Experience 

• At least 5-10yrs post-qualification experience leading and managing projects and teams to the highest standards.
• Proven experience working on all RIBA Stages, especially Stages 2-6
• Excellent technical knowledge of conservation repair, refurbishment, alterations and additions, adaptive re-use and construction detailing.
• Passionate about historic buildings
• Effectively communicate at all levels (internal & external)
• Excellent presentation skills (visual, written & spoken) and can lead major presentations.
• Agility to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proven ability to provide advice and guidance to clients and team members, operating within relevant statutory and legislative frameworks with a strong understanding of the UK Building and Planning regulations.
• Experience leading and contributing to the design of major projects
• Be well organised, proactive and enthusiastic approach to work and projects.
• Curiosity and commitment to continued professional development.
• Proficiency in using Revit, AutoCAD and NBS software
• An effective and thoughtful manager of projects and people
• Equally at home leading the creative process or contributing to the wider team
• The ability to take a strategic overview of complex design problems and devise elegant solutions
• Strategic and conceptual thinker
• Commercial awareness / aptitude for business management
• Delegation skills
• Track record of networking and relationship building
• Ability to organise and plan – analytical skills
• Ability to deliver high quality bids

Essential: ARB, RIBA/RICS

Desirable: AABC, IHBC, RIBASCA

Please email a copy of your CV and portfolio referencing job code P0046 to [email protected]. Please include details of your Right to Work in the United Kingdom, as well as an available start date.

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 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.