Lead Architect

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

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health & wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

24/7 virtual GP

Discounts for you & family

Financial tools & retirement plan

Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day

Job summary

Sodexo in Belfast is seeking an experienced Architectural Lead to shape the estate across Northern Ireland. You will drive estate strategy, masterplanning, and feasibility studies while ensuring projects align with governance and best practice.

You will lead in-house teams, manage external design partners, and contribute to decarbonisation efforts across a large estate. The role requires ARB registration and 7+ years of post-qualification experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or related field.
• ARB registration or eligibility for registration.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of estate strategies and site masterplans.
• Oversee feasibility studies and project blueprints.
• Coordinate internal and external design teams to deliver capital projects.

Job description

• 40 hours per week
• Monday - Friday (08:00-17:00)
• Competitive Salary, plus bonus
• Sodexo rewards and benefits

Job Introduction

We are seeking an experienced Architectural Lead to join our team and play a key role in shaping the future of a large and complex estate across Northern Ireland.

Working closely with the Estate Strategy and Planning Manager, you will lead the development of estate strategies, site masterplans, feasibility studies and project blueprints, ensuring projects are delivered in line with strategic objectives, governance requirements and industry best practice.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated architect who enjoys working on diverse, large scale projects while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.

What you'll do:

• Support the development and implementation of the client's Estate Strategy.
• Lead the preparation of site masterplans, feasibility studies and project dossiers.
• Manage and deliver a programme of Functional Suitability assessments, using this information to inform estate planning
• Manage in house architectural resources, including Architectural Technologists and Graduate staff.
• Coordinate and manage external Integrated Design Teams.
• Develop and maintain project blueprints to support the delivery of future capital projects.
• Provide architectural input into business cases, estate planning and commercial bids.
• Review and develop design standards and guidance documentation.
• Manage architectural budgets, design fees, resources and change control.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, clients and stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.
• Ensure all projects comply with current legislation, regulations and the RIBA Plan of Work.
• Contribute to the modernisation and decarbonisation of the estate.

What you bring:

Essential

• A degree and relevant postgraduate or professional qualification in Architecture, Planning, Surveying, Estate Management or a related built environment discipline.
• Current registration with the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
• A minimum of 7 years' post qualification experience.
• Working knowledge of Northern Ireland Planning Regulations.
• Working knowledge of Northern Ireland Building Regulations.
• Experience in estate strategy, asset planning and site master planning.
• Experience managing architectural projects through all RIBA work stages.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing budgets, resources and project delivery.
• Proficiency in architectural software such as Revit (preferred), AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2.
• Full willingness to travel throughout Northern Ireland.

Desirable

• Chartered Membership of RIBA.

Please note successful candidates must have lived continuously in the UK for the past five years and must be willing and able to undergo the required security clearance and vetting process.

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:

• Mental health & wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme for personal, legal, and financial advice
• 24/7 virtual GP & lifestyle rewards
• Discounts for you & family
• Financial tools & retirement plan
• Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications