Senior Architect

Location: On site / Melbourne VIC, Australia

job type: Permanent / Full-time

Sector and subsector: Architecture \| Architecture

Salary: Competitive salary

We are seeking a proactive, talented and highly motivated Senior Architect to join our Melbourne Studio.

You’ll be working within our architectural team to deliver conservation, refurbishment and adaptive reuse projects in significant heritage contexts through all project phases across cultural, public and workplace sectors. The role will involve design, coordination, documentation, review, statutory planning applications, tender, delivery and post occupancy tasks. You will play a key role in leading documentation production, overseeing junior team members, liaising with clients, consultants, suppliers and contractors. This position suits a hands-on and team-orientated individual who is confident managing multiple workstreams, projects and packages.

The successful candidate will evidence strong technical design and documentation skills, keen attention to detail, and a deep-rooted interest in existing buildings through high-quality examples of past work and experience. We seek someone with an enthusiastic, can-do attitude, willingness to learn can contribute to the local and regional leadership teams and, practice-wide groups.

Purcell have been ranked No.1 for Heritage in the World Architecture list for the past five years. We imagine heritage in new ways, sustainably designing places where people can belong our approach being rooted in client and community need. We believe in fostering a collaborative workplace, where knowledge sharing and professional growth are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a rewarding and supportive environment for personal and professional development.

Candidates are required to have the following:

• Registered Architect with at least 5 years’ experience working as a project runner/ project architect.
• High degree of proficiency in using Revit and AutoCAD software.
• Excellent design skills.
• Advanced technical knowledge in the refurbishment and adaptation of existing buildings.
• A thorough understanding of Australian building, heritage and planning regulations.
• Leadership experience managing a small team.
• A motivated, well organised, proactive approach to work and projects.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and written.
• Proven experience across all AIA workstages.

We offer a rewarding and supportive environment for personal and professional development. We believe in fostering a collaborative workplace, where knowledge sharing and professional growth are at the heart of everything we do.

Purcell is an award-winning employee-owned architectural and heritage consultancy practice with a commitment to quality, innovation, and diversity. We have staff of approximately 350 talented architects, designers, heritage consultants and surveyors across 14 offices, in Australia, Hong Kong and UK. Proudly ranked No. 1 for Heritage in the World Architecture 100 for a fifth consecutive year.

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.
• Subscription fees.
• Company day out.
• A volunteering scheme.
• Enhanced parental leave
• Enhanced learning \& development opportunities.

Applicants should be skilled in the delivery of architectural projects through all AIA work stages, with the ability to successfully lead and manage internal and external teams. Excellent technical skills, as well as strong design skills, will be essential in this role.

Key elements of the role include:

• Developing relationships with clients, new and existing.
• Experience to drive high performing teams in BD opportunities, project delivery and profile raising.
• Leading and supporting proposals and bids for projects.
• Co-ordination of internal and external works packages and team members.
• Complete projects to a high standard, on time and to budget.
• Lead, produce, assist and review the production of design and technical related information and reports, both written and graphic.
• Leading and supporting projects in conservation repair, refurbishment, alterations and additions, adaptive re-use and construction detailing.
• Occasional travel across the region, as well as remotely supporting colleagues in our Sydney, Hobart and Hong Kong studios.

Candidates will have:

• Registration as an Architect.
• At least 5 years’ project runner/ project architect experience in a similar role.
• Proven experience working on projects to existing buildings, including historic buildings, from inception, through schematic and detailed design, tender production, and contract administration during construction.
• Excellent technical knowledge of conservation repair, refurbishment, alterations and additions, adaptive re-use and construction detailing.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills both verbally and written at all levels (internal and external).
• Agility to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to develop and enhance our reputation externally.
• Proven ability to provide heritage advice and guidance to clients and team members, operating within relevant statutory and legislative frameworks.
• Knowledge of AIA work stages.
• Leadership experience to support a small sized project team.
• Experience of taking responsibility for the financial success of projects.
• A well organised, proactive and enthusiastic approach to work and projects.
• Experience in the latest packages of AutoCAD and Revit is Essential.
• Passion and desire to work with an international practice, working on established projects but also helping to support Business Development and profile activities in Australia and neighbouring markets.
• New project opportunity / tendering experience.
• Curiosity and commitment to continued professional development.

It would also be an advantage if candidates possess:

• Membership with relevant industry or professional bodies
• Further heritage qualifications of memberships
• Experience in BIM delivery of projects.

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.