Architect - Conservation Architecture; North West

For over 65 years, Donald Insall Associates has been working with the past to unlock opportunities within the historic environment. We set the standard for what heritage can be.

With sustained success and a growing portfolio of prestigious conservation and heritage projects, our North region architecture practice continues to expand. We are strengthening our teams across our studios in Chester, Conwy and Manchester at several levels, offering opportunities for architects at different stages of their careers to contribute to thoughtful, design‑led work within historic environments. We are keen to hear from talented, motivated architects who share our passion for conservation, heritage and the sensitive adaptation of significant buildings.

You’ll be running architectural projects with responsibility for quality and delivery. This role focuses on achieving results through effective project and team management within our expert conservation practice.

We offer competitive industry‑benchmarked salaries, a profit‑share bonus, private healthcare, pension, holiday starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays) which increases with tenure, paid professional fees, relevant accreditations, payment of a further journal subscription, numerous annual training days, an individual CPD allowance, an internal CPD programme, and other benefits.

• Plan, organise, and execute accurate, high‑quality, readable drawings throughout projects, primarily through own production (Revit, AutoCAD, Sketch Up, Adobe CS).
• Produce clear, concise, and technically sound specifications, reports, and other documentation adhering to practice QA/EM systems and standards.
• Facilitate and maintain effective communication flow between office, client, consultants, contractors, and site, ensuring necessary follow‑up actions.
• Apply sound knowledge of UK planning and building legislation to project work, including responsibility for preparing and submitting relevant applications/permissions.
• Contribute effectively across RIBA work stages, producing planning information, building regulations packages, working drawings, and tender packages.
• Attend site meetings, carry out site inspections, comment on work quality, and assist with contract administration duties. Carry out surveys accurately.
• Have awareness of the roles of Contract Administrator (CA), CDM Principal Designer (CDM PD) and Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD), under the supervision of others.
• Maintain up‑to‑date H&S competency such as through RIBA H&S test or CSCS card.
• Manage smaller projects or significant work packages under supervision, demonstrating ownership, delivery in line with agreed programmes, and ensuring technical correctness.
• Contribute to project inception, assist in maintaining project plans, and ensure projects have appropriate appointment documents.
• Identify potential project risks (time, quality, cost, technical) or slippage and recommend appropriate remedial actions to the project leader.
• Keep relevant project leaders informed of job status; provide support for efficient team running.
• Share expertise within the team, contributing actively to design dialogues and ‘lessons learnt’ sessions.
• Assist in pre‑commission submissions and contribute positively to initiatives to win new business (e.g., proposals and marketing initiatives).
• Act as an ambassador for the region and the practice.

• ARB Registered Architect, or similar RICS / CIAT qualifications, typically with 1‑4 years post‑qualification experience demonstrating growing capability.
• Demonstrable interest and developing experience in conservation, historic buildings, new design in historic contexts, and understanding the climate emergency context.
• First‑rate delivery and technical skills; strong ability to produce and understand detailed technical packages (drawn and written).
• Good overall knowledge of traditional construction methods and materials.
• Sound working knowledge of Revit, AutoCAD, Sketch Up, and Adobe Creative Suite, producing consistently high‑quality work.
• Well‑developed oral and written communication skills; ability to research and draft technically useful and concise…