Architectural Assistant

Overview

Househam Henderson is hiring an experienced and motivated Architectural Assistant to join its international practice in Belfast. The firm is described as a collaborative, multicultural workplace and is part of the World Architecture 100. This opportunity is open to architects as well as candidates from related professional backgrounds such as architectural technology and design.

Working arrangement

This position follows a hybrid model: three days each week in the office and two days from home. Core working hours are 9:30am to 3:00pm, aligned with the company’s flexible working policy. Because a significant share of the practice’s projects are in the UK, the successful candidate must be willing and able to travel for site visits when needed.

Role purpose

The role supports Project Runners with the design and management of architectural projects across all RIBA work stages. The position involves contributing to technical delivery, project coordination, statutory submissions, documentation, and day-to-day support across project and non-project activities.

Project responsibilities

• Assist with the technical delivery of commercial, retail, residential, and industrial projects.
• Prepare drawings, schedules, specifications, reports, and other outputs in accordance with legislation and industry requirements, under the direction of the Project Runner.
• Create presentation materials, reports, and models as required.
• Help ensure project agreements, appointment terms, and programmes are clearly established.
• Support Planning, Landlord, Building Control, and other statutory applications.
• Assist with pre-construction health and safety matters in line with CDM 2015 when acting as Principal Designer.
• Attend client and design team meetings and take minutes where needed.
• Carry out surveys and site visits, monitor progress, and produce documentation to share findings.
• Support the tendering process for construction packages.
• Coordinate with consultants and integrate their input into the project.
• Review drawings from internal and external team members and prepare mark-ups when required.
• Maintain accurate project reporting using the Rapport system.
• Work in line with the company’s Quality Management System and technical standards.
• Carry out other reasonable duties as needed.

Non-project responsibilities

• Handle ad hoc administrative work.
• Join and contribute to office team meetings.
• Stay informed about office and company-wide activity.
• Build a working understanding of UK legislation, planning, construction, and health and safety.
• Attend internal CPD sessions and contribute to them.
• Manage personal professional development.

Experience and skills

The role is suitable for an architect with prior experience, although applications are also encouraged from architectural technologists and designers with relevant experience. The ideal candidate should be comfortable attending meetings, researching technical and design constraints, preparing records and reports, supporting contract administration, developing design-stage packages, producing technical details and drawings, carrying out site visits and measured surveys, and helping manage small design teams. Strong quality control and adherence to internal standards are also important.

Compensation and benefits

The salary for this role is £27,750.

• Enhanced parental leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Biannual appraisals
• Learning and development opportunities
• Opportunities for sabbaticals
• Additional annual leave linked to length of service
• Paid eye tests
• Workplace pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Paid employee referral scheme
• Paid professional subscriptions relevant to the role

Eligibility and right to work

Applicants planning to relocate to Ireland or the UK in the near future are welcome to apply, but they must already have the immediate right to work in the UK before submitting an application. Candidates should also be able to commute easily to the office location in Belfast.

Data and application notes

Personal information submitted through the application process may be retained for up to three months for future suitable vacancies, after which electronic and hard-copy records such as emails, CVs, and portfolios will be deleted. Applicants may request earlier removal by contacting the employer directly. The application form requests your name, email, location, LinkedIn profile, a short message, consent for data retention, confirmation of right to work, confirmation of commute accessibility, and a CV upload in PDF, DOCX, or DOC format. The maximum file size is 256 MB and only one file may be uploaded.

Additional information

This role supports a flexible working culture and involves travel to project locations across the UK as required. The company expects candidates to maintain clear communication, follow internal project controls, and contribute positively to team collaboration and professional development.