Senior Architect – Palace of Westminster

We’re a friendly, supportive team united by a shared purpose: restoring and renewing the Palace of Westminster, one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work – we learn from one another, share knowledge openly, and make sure every voice is valued.

If you’re a Senior Architect seeking an inspiring role within a collaborative environment where you can develop and make a real impact, 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.

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.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Manage multiple projects across all RIBA stages, ensuring timely, budget-friendly, and quality delivery.
• Apply conservation principles to historic buildings, ensuring compliance with heritage regulations and guidelines.
• Oversee design development and technical detailing, ensuring solutions are contextually sensitive and compliant with building regulations.
• Assist the Partners and Associates in managing relationships and expectations with clients and presenting design proposals to stakeholders.
• Ensure designs meet UK building regulations and conservation standards, conducting site inspections and monitoring quality.
• Integrate sustainable and energy-efficient practices within conservation projects, using innovative solutions where applicable.
• Manage project budgets, prepare fee proposals, and ensure projects are delivered profitably within budget.
• Implement and manage BIM processes, using Revit, AutoCAD, and NBS for design coordination and documentation.

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.

Please email a copy of your CV and portfolio referencing job code P0059 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.