Architectural Lead (Government Projects)

VanRath; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

VANRATH seeks an Architectural Lead to drive estate strategy, master planning, and delivery for government projects in Northern Ireland. You will manage in-house technologists, coordinate with external design teams, and ensure value-for-money within budgets and regulatory frameworks.

The role requires a degree and postgraduate qualification in architecture, ARB registration, and 7+ years of post-qualification experience, with strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Degree and Post Graduate in Architecture.
• 7+ years post-qualification experience.
• Current ARB registration is essential.
• Chartered Membership of RIBA is desirable.
• Knowledge of NI Planning Regulations and Building regulations.
• Ability to lead and manage stakeholder engagement and communicate across all levels.
• Experience with estate strategies and master planning of large sites.
• Familiarity with BIM/Level 2 workflows.

Responsibilities

• Establish area and master plans for estate sites and document information needs.
• Collaborate with external Integrated Design teams to develop blueprints and project dossiers.
• Provide architectural input to business plans and business cases.
• Maintain and develop Design Guide and related templates.
• Ensure projects comply with regulatory frameworks and RIBA Plan of Work.
• Support resource planning and budget management across projects.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and promote architectural services across client sectors.
• Assist bids and tenders with architectural input for new business.
• Travel within Northern Ireland as required.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Project management

Education

Architecture degree

Postgraduate qualification in Architecture

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

SketchUp

InDesign

Photoshop

BIM (Level 2)

Job description

• Job Reference: RAAL100926
• Job Title: Architectural Lead (Government Projects)
• Salary: £Competitive + benefits package
• Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Architectural Lead

Are you looking for an Architectural Lead role? Interested in playing a leading role within a market leading employer?

VANRATH are recruiting for an Architectural Lead to work for a market leading employer, working alongside a large public sector body.

Remuneration

£Competitive + benefits package

Overview of Role

Assist the Estate Strategy and Planning Manager in the development of the Client Estate Strategy, site master planning, project feasibility studies and the management of project dossiers. The role will be responsible for the management of in-house Architectural Technologist and Graduate support as well as external Integrated Design Teams for the implementation and delivery of projects.

There will be a requirement to work collaboratively with the Asset Inspection Services team and the Client Projects Services and stakeholder groups. The commercial element of the position will include the management of resourcing costs, architectural design fee expenditure, change control and reporting to ensure value for money and achieving targeted profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Area Plans - establish template to provide a clear oversight of the estate and sites (both current status and proposed via Estate Strategy)
• Local Masterplans for retained sites and proposed acquisitions. Develop content and template of information requirements
• Assessment of sites for disposal with regard to planning context and viability / capacity
• Architectural Input to Business Plans and Business Cases
• Review, update and develop Design Guide
• Manage and develop Blueprints and Project Dossiers in collaboration with external Integrated Design teams to ensure clarity of a pipeline of projects for implementation on availability of budget
• Ensure and deliver a creative and cost effective architectural service / managing budgets
• Assist in the promotion and growth of an architectural service across each client sector
• Provide architectural input and advice to Commercial Bid and Operations teams to assist submissions and tenders for new business
• Ensure all project related work is undertaken in line with current regulatory and legislative frameworks and delivered to RIBA Plan of Work and Project Management Framework guidelines and requirements
• Local Area (site) Master Plan template / documents
• Development / expansion of the Design guide
• Preparation and management of Project Blueprints and Dossiers

Ideal Background

• Degree and Post Graduate (Diploma or MSc) in Architecture
• 7+ years post qualification experience
• Current Membership of Architects Registration Board (essential)
• Chartered Membership of RIBA (desirable)
• Working knowledge of Northern Ireland Planning Regulations and processes
• Working knowledge of Northern Ireland Building regulations and processes
• Ability to work as a part of a team and to manage resource to comply with programme deadlines
• Ability to lead and support with stakeholder engagement and communicate effectively across all levels
• Knowledge / experience of working within estate strategies and asset planning / master planning of large sites
• Experience in project design, management and delivery (all work stages)
• Proficiency in design and management software - Revit (preferred) / Autocad or equivalent / Sketch Up / In Design / Photoshop
• Experience in and understanding of Building Information Modelling / Level 2
• Experience in managing budgets and resource planning.
• Willingness to travel throughout Northern Ireland