Architectural Assistant

Salary: £23,700 with progression to £25,138 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 30 April 2024

The role

Newcastle University Estates & Facilities is looking for a talented and enthusiastic part 1 architectural graduate for a 12-month placement starting in September 2024.

With a number of exciting projects underway including residential developments, new academic developments, improvements to existing buildings and landscaping the campus, this is a unique position which will give you invaluable project experience. This is an opportunity to experience all aspects of estate management from the initial design of a building to ongoing maintenance to redeveloping listed buildings, with the chance to work with clients from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of needs and priorities.

To succeed in this role you will need to be well organised and self-motivated, with excellent verbal and written communication skills and have the capacity to learn different roles such as Designer, Contract Administrator, Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager.

The post holder will work within a multi-disciplinary estates team, under the guidance of architects, planners and building surveyors, and contribute towards the planning, design and procurement of building and landscaping projects undertaken by Estates & Facilities. These projects will include working with existing buildings and new construction projects with a focus on achieving the University’s aspirations for growth and improving the experience of staff, students and the public when visiting campus.

The post holder will work across the Estates & Facilities department and will be involved with all aspects of the service including property, planning, major and minor building projects, and maintenance issues.

These operations take place within the University estate that consists of -

• Approximately 225,000 square metres of academic, research and support space.
• Numerous listed buildings and buildings of architectural significance.
• 220 buildings, of which 50 are major research and academic buildings.
• 2 Farms.
• Residential accommodation with more than 4500 beds.

To apply for this position please upload your CV  and ensure you attach a copy of your portfolio.

Key Accountabilities

• Prepare drawings, specifications, and contract documents for building projects, in accordance with the RIBA outline plan of work

• Assist with applications for building regulations, planning approval and listed building consent

• Client liaison and stakeholder management during project planning and on-site works

• Develop concept proposals for improving the estate including visual presentations and supporting imagery

• Proactively plan and manage small projects, ensuring that they are completed within an agreed time, to cost and achieve the project objectives

• Act as liaison between contractors and consultants and the University clients

• Assist the Estates & Facilities project managers including some or all of the roles of Designer, Contract Administrator, Quantity Surveyor and Assistant Project Manager

• Carry out building surveys under the guidance of a Building Surveyor that can be used for planning projects, space utilisation and improvement works

• The post holder will be under the supervision of their placement supervisor and line manager but will be expected to get involved and contribute towards decision making and self-management

• Arrange and manage the execution of estates work in accordance with all current guidance, legislation, codes of practice, local bylaws, H&S policy and University policy

• To monitor the performance and quality of works carried out by Contractors to ensure that all works are managed in accordance with agreed Service Level Standards

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of AutoCAD software
• Knowledge of other digital design software packages such as SketchUp, Photoshop and Revit
• Knowledge of governing regulations
• Ability in carrying out of surveys, preparation of reports, estimates, drawings, and contract documentation
• Previous work experience preferably office or construction based

Attributes and Behaviour

• Good analytical skills to resolve problems and find alternative solutions
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to meet targets and deadlines
• Ability to work as a team as well as under your own initiative

Qualifications

• Post holder must have a relevant undergraduate degree of 2:2 minimum (or predicted) in an architectural related discipline. 

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26887