Architect & Planning Lead - Social Care Provider
Location: Predominantly home-based with national travel
Salary: £65,000–£80,000 depending on experience
Are you an experienced architect looking to move into a more strategic role where you can influence the development of new specialist care and education facilities?
We're working with an established national care and education provider embarking on an ambitious five-year expansion programme, with plans to develop new specialist schools, residential care homes and other facilities across the UK.
As part of these plans, the organisation is looking to appoint an Architect & Planning Lead into its growing development team. This is a newly created position offering the opportunity to play a key role in identifying, assessing and progressing new development opportunities.
This isn't a traditional architectural design role. We're looking for someone who enjoys the planning, feasibility and technical aspects of development and can provide the expertise needed to take projects from initial concept through to delivery.
The Opportunity
As Architect & Planning Lead, you'll work closely with the wider growth and property teams to assess potential sites, advise on planning and development considerations, and oversee the architectural and technical elements of new projects. You'll be involved in a variety of developments, from purpose-built specialist schools and residential care facilities to the conversion and redevelopment of existing properties. The position offers considerable autonomy and the opportunity to influence how the organisation approaches its future property developments.
What You'll Be Doing
Assessing potential development sites and existing properties, including initial feasibility studies and technical appraisals.
Advising on planning strategy, planning applications, change of use and building regulations.
Liaising with local planning authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
Overseeing external architects, planning consultants and other technical specialists.
Supporting new-build developments, acquisitions and property conversions.
Reviewing architectural proposals to ensure they meet operational, regulatory and commercial requirements.
Providing technical oversight throughout the development process, from initial feasibility through to construction and handover.
Working closely with the wider growth team to support the organisation's expansion plans.
Providing oversight and management of the in-house Draftsperson / Architectural Technician.
About You
We're looking for a qualified architect with strong planning, technical and development experience who is comfortable taking responsibility for projects beyond the traditional design stages.
You'll bring:
ARB registration and a relevant architectural qualification.
Experience assessing development opportunities and undertaking site feasibility studies.
A strong understanding of UK planning processes, building regulations and change-of-use requirements.
Experience managing external architects, consultants and multidisciplinary teams.
The ability to identify potential planning and technical risks early in the development process.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
A practical, commercially aware approach to development.
The flexibility to travel nationally when required.
Experience within healthcare, social care, education or residential development would be particularly relevant, although we're equally interested in candidates from other sectors with transferable experience.
Why Join?
Newly created position within an established national organisation.
Opportunity to contribute to an ambitious five-year growth programme.
Involvement in a varied portfolio of new-build and redevelopment projects.
Significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence development decisions.
Predominantly home-based working arrangements.
Opportunity to help develop facilities that make a meaningful difference to the people who use them.
Contact Details
To apply, or for more information and an informal confidential discussion, please contact Laura Bloomfield at Compass Associates on 0161 667 6797 or via email [email protected].
Compass Recruitment Solutions Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £500 vouchers for each successful recommendation.
