Senior Architect

Calibre Search; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected architectural practice in Manchester seeks a Senior Architect with experience in acute healthcare projects. The role involves leading early-stage planning, developing layouts, and collaborating directly with NHS Trusts. Candidates must have a solid background in departmental space planning and a strong knowledge of Health Building Notes. This is a chance to contribute to innovative healthcare design while working within a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Solid experience delivering acute healthcare projects at RIBA Stages 0-3.
• Proven capability in departmental space planning, clinical flows, and adjacencies.
• Confidence working directly with clinicians and NHS Trust Estates teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead early-stage planning on acute healthcare schemes.
• Develop departmental layouts and adjacency studies.
• Support SOC and OBC submissions.

Skills

Acute healthcare project delivery

Departmental space planning

Clinical flows and adjacencies

Health Building Notes (HBNs)

Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs)

Job description

Job Title: Senior Architect
Salary: 45,000 - 50,000
Location: Manchester

Our client is a highly respected Manchester‑based architectural practice specialising in healthcare design. With a growing portfolio of strategic NHS commissions and a reputation for delivering clinically led, evidence‑based design, they work closely with Trusts from the earliest stages of scheme development.

The Role

You'll be leading and contributing to early‑stage planning and briefing on acute healthcare schemes, with responsibilities including:

• Developing departmental layouts, test fits, and adjacency studies
• Translating clinical service models into spatial solutions that work operationally
• Supporting Strategic Outline Case (SOC) and Outline Business Case (OBC) submissions
• Preparing and testing option studies through to RIBA Stage 2
• Collaborating directly with NHS Trust Estates & Capital Teams, clinical leads, Project Managers, and Quantity Surveyors
• Contributing to planning‑stage risk management, including operational and decant considerations
• Supporting wider bid, competition, and framework work where required

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Solid experience delivering acute healthcare projects at RIBA Stages 0-3
• Proven capability in departmental space planning, clinical flows & adjacencies, and departmental stacking
• Experience supporting SOC / OBC level work
• Strong working knowledge of Health Building Notes (HBNs) and Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs)
• Confidence working directly with clinicians, NHS Trust Estates teams, and multi‑disciplinary consultants

Desirable: Experience across departments such as Emergency Departments (ED / A&E), Operating Theatres, Imaging & Diagnostics, Inpatient Wards, Critical Care, or Elective Hubs would be advantageous.

If you're interested in being considered for this role, please use the link provided to apply now, or get in touch with Tom Brown via email or (phone number removed) to discuss further.

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