Hiring:
Architect with Historic and Listed Building Experience
Studio:
Based in Bridgend, South Wales
Start date:
From November 2025
Salary:
£35,000–£40,000 (depending on experience)
Deadline:
12:00 noon (GMT), Friday 3rd October, 2025
About Us:
Initiate is a heritage-led architecture practice specialising in the repair, transformation and adaptive reuse of historic and listed buildings across Wales.
Based in Bridgend, we work with local authorities, charities, community groups and private owners to develop new, sustainable futures for old buildings.
Our approach is holistic. We guide clients through the repair and conservation process, while creatively reimagining buildings for new use. We embed community engagement into every stage of our work - running events, consultations, and local benefit programmes that add value from our process.
We're proud to have built a strong following on Instagram (@initiatearchitecture), where we share insights with over 150,000 followers. In 2024 we won the Archiboo 'Best Use of Social Media' award and rank in the top 10 of Beedier's league of most popular practices on social media.
The Role:
We're looking for an architect with a passion for historic buildings to join our studio in Bridgend. You'll lead a range of historic building projects with support from a director, playing a central role in shaping the future of our growing practice.
You'll be given the autonomy to lead projects and design teams across all RIBA stages, with regular client interaction and opportunities to work directly with communities and stakeholders. This is a studio-based role with hybrid flexibility and requirement to travel to sites across South Wales.
What We're Looking For:
Please demonstrate the following in your cover email and portfolio:
* Proven experience working with historic and listed buildings
* An understanding of conservation principles and a passion for heritage architecture
* Experience preparing Listed Building Consent applications
* Inquisitive and research-minded, able to conduct desk-based and archival research to inform Heritage Statements
* Able to interpret historical records, maps and documents to deepen understanding of building context and significance
* Experience working on projects across all RIBA stages
* Confidence in client-facing roles and engaging with stakeholders and communities
* Ability to work independently, take responsibility for projects and manage design teams with director support
* Proficiency in AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite (BIM experience beneficial)
* Willingness to travel to our studio and project sites across South Wales
* Self-motivation, initiative and a collaborative mindset
* Conservation Architect accreditation (beneficial but not essential)
What We Offer:
* Hybrid working arrangements
* Flexible hours (option of 4 or 5-day working week by agreement)
* The opportunity to work on significant historic buildings across Wales
* A key role in shaping an ambitious and values-led practice
* Studio culture with practice events, project visits and team development
* Investment in your ongoing professional development
* Pension contributions
To Apply:
Please send the following to
* A covering email outlining how you meet the requirements
* Your CV
* A portfolio of relevant work (please use a file sharing service if over 5MB)
Initial interviews will be held via Zoom. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second in-person interview at our Bridgend studio.
Please note: we are not accepting agency applications.
Initiate is an equal opportunity employer.
We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
@initiatearchitecture