Architect

Senior Architect
Location: Watford, Hertfordshire
Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 + Benefits
Sector: Life Sciences / Pharmaceutical / Advanced Manufacturing

The Opportunity
Our client is a specialist organisation delivering technically complex projects across the life sciences, pharmaceutical, healthcare and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint an experienced Senior Architect to join their architectural and design team in Watford.
This is a varied and technically focused position, working across projects that can include master planning, research facilities, analytical and QA/QC laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, cGMP environments, cleanrooms and wider life sciences developments.
The successful candidate will play a key role throughout the project lifecycle, from early feasibility and concept design through to detailed design and construction, whilst providing technical leadership, client liaison and multidisciplinary design coordination.

The Role
As Senior Architect, you will:

Develop architectural schemes from initial feasibility through to detailed design.
Support the Business Development team with technical input, proposals and client presentations.
Attend client meetings, briefings and project meetings.
Act as Project Architect and, where appropriate, Architectural Discipline Lead.
Develop project briefs and establish project requirements.
Lead and coordinate architectural project teams where required.
Develop feasibility, concept and preliminary design proposals.
Produce high-quality architectural and technical documentation.
Prepare drawings, schedules, specifications and information for procurement and construction.
Provide design continuity and technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle.
Coordinate architectural design with structural, mechanical, electrical and other disciplines.
Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary design review meetings.
Identify potential design conflicts and ensure issues are followed through to resolution.
Organise and facilitate structured design coordination workshops.
Liaise with statutory authorities and incorporate feedback into project designs.
Undertake site visits, inspections and surveys where required.
Ensure designs meet relevant statutory, contractual and technical requirements.
Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with agreed programmes and quality requirements.
Monitor architectural hours against agreed project budgets.
Take responsibility for meeting key project deadlines.
Ensure project documentation remains accurate and up to date.
Apply company QA/QC, CDM and project management procedures.
Contribute to continuous improvement and design best-practice initiatives.
Support the development of interdisciplinary checking and design review processes.
Assist with internal technical training and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Provide technical support to the wider architectural team during detailed design and construction stages.
Work closely with Project Leads, Directors, Engineers, Designers, Estimators and Project Managers.
Ensure design information is coordinated, accurate and delivered on time.
Use previous project experience to provide effective technical and design solutions.
Maintain a strong focus on quality, accuracy, buildability and client requirements. About You
The ideal candidate will be an experienced Architect with a strong technical background and the confidence to operate across both design and client-facing environments.
You will ideally have:

Relevant architectural qualifications and professional experience.
Proven experience working as an Architect or Senior Architect within a technically demanding environment.
Experience delivering complex projects from concept through to detailed design.
Experience within life sciences, pharmaceutical, laboratory, healthcare, cleanroom or advanced manufacturing environments would be highly advantageous.
Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination.
Experience leading or coordinating architectural teams.
Excellent understanding of UK Building Regulations and relevant technical standards.
Strong client-facing and communication skills.
The ability to manage competing priorities, programmes and resources.
Commercial awareness and experience monitoring project hours/budgets.
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
Excellent problem-solving and design coordination skills.
Proficiency in AutoCAD.
Familiarity with Revit.
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
The confidence to challenge design issues and drive solutions through to completion. Rewards & Benefits

£60,000 – £70,000 basic salary
Opportunity to work on highly technical and specialist projects
Exposure to major life sciences and pharmaceutical developments
Career progression within an established architectural and engineering environment
Opportunity to take a leading role across multidisciplinary projects
Professional and technical development opportunities
Collaborative working environment
Client-facing and project leadership responsibilities
Company pension
Generous annual leave entitlement
Additional company benefits