Job Description
Location: Dublin / Waterford / Hybrid
Reporting To: Design Lead & Head of Development
Hours: 39 hours per week
Terms: Full time permanent
Salary Range: €69,566 to €90,027
(Please note that offers are typically made at the beginning to mid-range of the advertised salary, based on skills and experience)
Purpose of the Role
The Senior Architect plays a key leadership role in shaping Respond’s development programme and ensuring the highest standards of design and delivery across residential and community projects. The role leads architectural design, manages Public Works Contract (PWC) schemes, and provides expert guidance to Respond internal teams as a member of the Design sub-division of the Development Department team including liaising with Housing, Finance, Health and Safety and Construction teams and external and internal delivery partners.
The post holder supports the Executive Head of Development in delivering annual housing targets and ensuring alignment with Respond’s Corporate Strategy, Design Guide, and ESG Strategy. The Senior Architect acts as an in‑house senior design professional across multiple residential, community, public realm and mixed‑use projects, ensuring design quality, compliance, sustainable construction practices and value for money across all schemes. Significant experience in the design and evaluation of complex urban/suburban residential schemes and the ability to lead design reviews under technical merit/qualitative criteria is essential.
Key Responsibilities
1. Architectural Design & Delivery
- Translate briefs into feasible design concepts and lead design development from sketch to completion
- Manage PWC projects including feasibility, funding applications, tendering, contract administration, and onsite delivery
- Prepare business cases, feasibility studies, and funding proposals
- Conduct design due diligence, risk assessment, and stakeholder negotiation
- Ensure all projects reflect Respond’s design principles, sustainability goals, and placemaking standards
- Evaluate development submissions and design responses for technical merit and quality under Responds designated quality criteria
2. Design Leadership & Quality
- Act as Senior Architect on residential, community, childcare, amenity, conservation, refurbishment, landscaping and public realm projects liaising with Housing, Asset management, Health and Safety and other internal teams in Respond as required
- Lead design teams and external consultants; oversee internal design reviews
- Embed inclusive design, universal design, lifetime homes standards, and low‑carbon principles in all development schemes
- Support innovation including MMC, NZEB compliance, ecology, biodiversity, and sustainable construction
- Develop tools, systems, and procedures to strengthen design quality and consistency
3. Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Present design proposals both internally and externally to stakeholders and negotiate with both consultants and contractors
- Support internal and external partners including local authorities, the Housing Agency, and HFA
- Lead internal design review workshops and ensure future‑proofing and sustainability principles are applied
4. Public Works Contract Delivery
- Support procurement and appointment of design teams, contractors, and advisors
- Ensure compliance with CWMF, PWC requirements, and procurement rules
- Review development agreements, building contracts, and legal documentation
- Monitor consultant performance and address issues or disputes
- Review tender documentation, construction drawings, and design submissions
5. Technical Oversight
- Lead design on reviews, verify constructability, and ensure building regulations compliance, and attend site meetings as required
- Oversee tender processes, contractor appointments, and consultant fee recommendations
- Provide architectural and contractual advice to delivery teams including technical assessments
- Support Senior Development Managers on community and specialist buildings
- Contribute to research on sustainability, MMC, ecology, biodiversity, and low‑carbon design
6. Quality, Compliance & Reporting
- Maintain accurate documentation including planning, funder, consultant, and contractor agreements
- Prepare timely internal and external reports
- Ensure compliance with legislation, building regulations, procurement rules, and health and safety requirements
- Maintain records using Respond’s IT systems (ActiveH, AutoCAD, BIM tools)
- Ensure O&M manuals, safety files, and handover documentation are complete
7. Financial & Contract Management
- Assist in procurement and tendering for new build projects
- Coordinate external consultants and manage project budgets, logs, and progress tracking Support cost management, value‑for‑money assessments, and financial reporting
8. Leadership & Team Development
- Contribute to strategic planning and decision‑making within the Development Department
- Build strong relationships with government bodies, local authorities, developers, funders, and contractors
- Mentor junior architects and designers; support recruitment and professional development.
- Ensure high standards of client care and organisational representation
Job Requirements
Experience & Qualifications:
Essential
- Master’s degree in architecture
- RIAI Registered Architect
- 10+ years post‑qualification experience including social housing design and delivery
- Strong experience with PWC projects, CWMF compliance, contract administration, and design reviews
- Comprehensive knowledge of the Irish Planning System, Building Regulations, and construction delivery
- Expertise in low‑carbon and energy‑efficient design, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainable construction an advantage
- Strong IT skills: AutoCAD, BIM (Revit/Archicad), MS Office, 3D rendering tools
- Proven leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills
- Experience in residential, community, and mixed‑use design
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in conservation, sustainability, urban design, landscaping , MMC or the public realm, Master planning in an urban/ suburban context.
- Experience with PPP projects, strategic procurement, and cost management
- Experience with AHBs, local authorities, or public bodies
- Evidence of continued professional development in legislation, construction regulations, safety, procurement, and contract administration
Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership and team‑management capability
- Analytical, detail‑oriented, and comfortable interpreting complex data
- Motivated, passionate, and committed to high‑quality design
- Customer‑focused with strong negotiation and influencing skills
- Excellent organisational, planning, and problem‑solving abilities
