Architect Job Description
Experienced design professional to lead architectural projects from concept through completion, delivering compliant, well-coordinated buildings and excellent client relationships.
What does a Architect professional do?
An Architect designs and develops building projects, coordinates consultants and contractors, ensures regulatory compliance, and manages client and project delivery across RIBA stages.
Architect job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Architect
About the role
[Employer name] is seeking an ARB‑registered Architect to join our [studio/team] in [Location]. You will lead design and technical delivery for projects in [sector e.g. residential / commercial / education], produce drawings and specifications, coordinate consultants and contractors, manage planning and building control processes, and mentor junior staff. This role reports to [Line manager title] and offers [salary/benefits placeholder].
Key responsibilities
- Lead architectural design from concept through construction, producing sketches, plans, elevations and technical details.
- Manage projects across relevant RIBA work stages, preparing and submitting planning and building control documentation.
- Coordinate consultant teams (structural, MEP, landscape, etc.) and integrate specialist inputs into the design.
- Prepare specifications, schedules and contract documents; support procurement and tender evaluation.
- Carry out site inspections and contract administration to monitor quality, compliance and programme.
- Ensure designs meet building regulations, accessibility standards and statutory requirements.
- Maintain project budgets and programmes; identify and escalate risks and variations.
- Build and maintain client relationships, presenting design proposals and managing stakeholder expectations.
Essential skills and experience
- Current Architects Registration Board (ARB) registration (Part III) — legally required to use the title Architect in the UK.
- A portfolio demonstrating responsibility for completed architectural projects and experience across multiple RIBA stages.
- Proven technical knowledge of UK building regulations, detailing and construction methods.
- Competence with industry-standard drawing and BIM workflows and software (experience with Revit, AutoCAD or equivalent).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting to clients and stakeholders.
- Experience coordinating multi‑disciplinary teams and delivering projects to programme and budget.
Desirable
- RIBA membership or active participation in professional networks.
- Experience delivering projects in the specific sector named in the advert (residential, commercial, education, healthcare, conservation, etc.).
- Experience with planning applications, listed building consents or heritage projects.
- Familiarity with contract administration (JCT or NEC) and site supervision.
- Experience leading or mentoring small teams and contributing to practice management.
What we offer
- Competitive pension contribution (details to be confirmed by employer).
- Generous annual leave allowance (employer to specify entitlement).
- Support for professional membership fees and Part 3 / CPD funding where applicable.
- Hybrid and flexible working options (subject to role requirements).
- Paid professional development and training budget (employer to confirm).
- Private healthcare or wellbeing support (optional employer-provided benefit).
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an Architect role?
An Architect plans, designs and oversees the delivery of buildings and spaces, combining creative design with technical detail and regulatory compliance. They manage consultants, prepare statutory submissions, produce technical documentation, and carry out site-based contract administration. Architects balance client needs, budget and programme constraints while ensuring safety, accessibility and sustainability are embedded in the built outcome.
Design leadership
Create and develop concept and detailed designs that meet client briefs, regulatory requirements and practical buildability.
Team & stakeholder management
Co-ordinate consultants, contractors and clients to keep projects on track and aligned with design intent.
Regulation & compliance
Ensure compliance with UK building regulations, planning conditions and accessibility standards throughout delivery.
Technical delivery
Produce technical drawings, specifications and administer contracts to deliver high-quality construction outcomes.
Typical Architect responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Lead architectural design from concept
Lead architectural design from concept through construction, producing sketches, plans, elevations and technical details.
Manage projects across relevant RIBA work stages
Manage projects across relevant RIBA work stages, preparing and submitting planning and building control documentation.
Coordinate consultant teams (structural
Coordinate consultant teams (structural, MEP, landscape, etc.) and integrate specialist inputs into the design.
Prepare specifications
Prepare specifications, schedules and contract documents; support procurement and tender evaluation.
Carry out site inspections
Carry out site inspections and contract administration to monitor quality, compliance and programme.
Ensure designs meet building regulations
Ensure designs meet building regulations, accessibility standards and statutory requirements.
Maintain project budgets
Maintain project budgets and programmes; identify and escalate risks and variations.
Build
Build and maintain client relationships, presenting design proposals and managing stakeholder expectations.
Architect skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Current Architects Registration Board (ARB) registration (Part III) — legally required to use the title Architect in the UK.
- A portfolio demonstrating responsibility for completed architectural projects and experience across multiple RIBA stages.
- Proven technical knowledge of UK building regulations, detailing and construction methods.
- Competence with industry-standard drawing and BIM workflows and software (experience with Revit, AutoCAD or equivalent).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting to clients and stakeholders.
- Experience coordinating multi‑disciplinary teams and delivering projects to programme and budget.
Useful where relevant
- RIBA membership or active participation in professional networks.
- Experience delivering projects in the specific sector named in the advert (residential, commercial, education, healthcare, conservation, etc.).
- Experience with planning applications, listed building consents or heritage projects.
- Familiarity with contract administration (JCT or NEC) and site supervision.
- Experience leading or mentoring small teams and contributing to practice management.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Architect job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about project types
State the primary sectors and scale of projects (e.g. low-rise residential, mixed-use, heritage) so candidates can self-assess fit from their portfolio.
Clarify required registration and experience
If you require ARB registration, a minimum number of years in post‑Part III practice, or experience leading RIBA stages, state this clearly.
Say what to include in the portfolio
Ask for a portfolio that shows role responsibility, drawings and images for completed projects, and a short explanation of the candidate’s contribution to each.
List the core technical expectations
Specify the expected BIM/CAD tools, level of detail required, and any familiarity with contract administration to avoid mismatched applications.
Describe working pattern and travel
Indicate whether the role is site-heavy, office-based, hybrid, and whether travel between offices or to sites is required.
Architect salary considerations
Architect salaries in the UK vary widely. Pay is influenced by experience level (junior, mid, senior/associate), ARB registration and responsibilities, project sector and complexity, firm size, geographic location and whether the role includes fee-earning, team leadership or commercial responsibilities.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Architect candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What types of projects will I work on?
Candidates want to know the sectors, typical project scales and stage responsibilities so they can assess relevance to their experience and portfolio.
Is ARB registration required?
Make clear whether applicants must be ARB-registered (Part III), and whether RIBA membership or other qualifications are expected or supported.
What level of site involvement is there?
Tell applicants if the role involves regular site inspections, contract administration or mostly office-based work with occasional visits.
What should be included in the portfolio?
Candidates typically want guidance on the preferred portfolio format, number of projects, and examples of drawings versus photography.
Which software and BIM workflows do you use?
State the required CAD/BIM tools, expected BIM level and whether the practice uses particular collaboration platforms or standards.
What are the working hours and flexibility?
Clarify standard hours, expectations for overtime or site visits, and availability of hybrid or flexible working arrangements.
Where to post a Architect job
Target a mix of general and specialist channels to attract qualified architects. Use national job boards and LinkedIn for broad reach, specialist sites and professional networks (RIBA jobs, architecture sector boards) to reach active professionals, and local planning/industry groups to find candidates experienced with region‑specific regulations. For niche sectors (heritage, healthcare) consider targeted forums, university alumni networks and professional events.
Architect job description FAQs
Do architects in the UK need to be ARB-registered?
Yes — to legally use the title 'Architect' in the UK an individual must be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Employers should specify ARB registration where required and may note support for Part III candidates in more junior roles.
How should I assess an applicant’s portfolio?
Look for clear evidence of the candidate’s role on projects, the quality of design thinking, technical drawings and details, resolution of constraints, and completed outcomes. Prefer portfolios that include concise descriptions of responsibilities and deliverables.
When is it appropriate to require specific software skills?
Specify software expectations when the practice uses a defined BIM/CAD platform or when immediate productivity is essential. For more flexible hiring, state preferred tools and offer training where feasible.
Should I advertise as permanent or contract?
Decide based on pipeline certainty: permanent roles suit ongoing workloads and talent retention, while fixed-term or contract roles can cover short-term project peaks or specific skill needs.
What seniority distinctions should I make in the advert?
Be explicit about responsibilities: a senior or associate should lead projects and teams and manage fees, whereas mid-level architects typically manage specific packages under a project lead, and assistants focus on production and support tasks.
Ready to hire an Architect?
Use this template to create a clear advert that highlights the projects, seniority and professional requirements that matter. Add specific location, salary and benefit details, attach portfolio requirements, and publish across sector and general channels to attract high-quality candidates.
