Architype

Architype’s London studio is seeking an organised and self-motivated studio assistant (known as a ‘practice assistant’ at Architype) to provide day-to-day support to a busy architectural team in our newly occupied premises.

This flexible part-time role will be studio based across 5 days, to include between 3-4.5 hours per day (exact arrangements to be agreed with the individual to suit). The role will consist of two primary areas; general housekeeping of the London studio, and general administrative support, and will form part of the Practice Management team.

About Architype

Architype offers exceptional opportunities to be involved in projects at the cutting edge of zero carbon and sustainability.

Architype is the UK’s leading Passivhaus Architect and widely recognised for our innovative approach with accolades including Education Architect of the Year, RIBA National and BCO National Awards.

We have an open and collaborative ethos with a common purpose – to deliver fantastic architecture that performs exactly as predicted.  We have steadily grown over the last 40 years and are now a team of 80+ collaborating across three studios in Edinburgh, Hereford and London.

Architype has a rich history of pioneering low carbon design and a clear focus on how buildings work for people and the planet. We masterplan and design a wide range of buildings across the education, university, housing, community and cultural sectors. Our consultancy service Perform+ enables us to offer insight and cutting-edge technical expertise to clients.

Working culture at Architype is creative and caring. We work in a collaborative and supportive way that encourages fresh ideas and career progression, and we support flexible working for all.

Architype is regularly featured in the top 5 of Building’s Employer of the Year. We are 30% owned by the staff through an Employee Benefit Trust and are committed to becoming majority employee owned in the future – it is why we call ourselves “co-owners”.

Architype currently operates a hybrid working policy to enable most co-owners to work flexibly from both home and from our studios.  In London we are based in a vibrant studio south of the river. Co-owners are fully supported with equipment to enable hybrid working and are integrated into our collaborative team culture both on and offline.

This flexible part-time role will be studio based across 5 days, to include between 3-4.5 hours per day (exact arrangements to be agreed with the individual to suit).

Location

The successful candidate will be based at our London studio in South London, SE1.

Job type: Permanent, part-time

• Minimum 16 (3 hours/day)
• Maximum 22.5 (4.5 hours/day)
• Roughly 10am – 2pm / 2:30pm

Benefits

• A competitive salary which is aligned to industry standards. This is currently between £25,643 – £32,000 pro rata
• 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) (FTE)
• 16 – 22.5-hour week
• Pension benefits of 3% employer contribution
• Company health scheme
• Cycle to work scheme.

To Apply

Please take note:

Architype is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and co- owner engagement forums, to support co-owners from different backgrounds.

Architype is currently underrepresented by employees from disabled, global south and LGBTQ communities so we would particularly encourage individuals from these communities to apply.

Please can we ask that you complete our anonymous equality and diversity monitoring form by clicking on the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3FBSRVF

Visa sponsorship: We welcome applications from all nationalities; however, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for our roles, so before you apply for this post, you must ensure that you have the right to work in the UK. For more details on eligibility to work in the UK, please visit https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

If you are an international student, recently graduated, you must have your graduate visa status established before applying.

Making your application

Please send a 300 (approx.) word statement, setting out how you meet the criteria in the job specification along with your CV to vacancies@architype.co.uk

Note: You must state, in the subject line of your email, the job role you are interested in(London Practice Assistant). Without this information in the subject heading we will be unable to sift your application correctly and it will be missed.

This post will be offered as permanent contract, subject to a probationary period.

The closing date for applications is 26th July 2024. The interviews will be in person at the London studio, in the week of 26th August 2024.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we are sorry we cannot respond to all applications, so if you do not hear from us after the interview date above, please assume that you have been unsuccessful. 

Note that all applications will be treated in accordance with our GDPR policy. For more information, please click here. 

Job Description

Mission

The overall mission of the Practice Assistant role is to maintain an inspiring office environment and to provide reliable support for a vibrant and busy studio.

Core purpose

The core purpose of a Practice Assistant is to:

• Support their local colleagues in the care of the shared workspace via housekeeping, administration and premises coordination.
• To be responsible for the day-to-day operation and aesthetic of the office unit, whilst exploring and implementing new, workable ideas as the office grows and develops.

Key responsibilities

Housekeeping tasks

• Stock management – cleaning products, teas & coffees, stationery, PPE
• Catering coordination, breakfasts, client meetings as needed
• Daily tea break set up/clear down
• Upkeep of kitchen area, dishwasher loading/unloading
• Upkeep of general office spaces, finding a home for things lying around
• Liaison with cleaner, checking their work and signing off their invoices
• Cleaning top up throughout the day as needed
• Plant care
• Waste management

Admin tasks

• Front of house support – phone answering, door answering, greeting guests
• General office administration and support for the London team
• Incoming post – opening, distribution, parcel collection from reception
• Outgoing post – managing stamps, posting letters, arranging couriers if needed
• Petty cash/debit card management and cheque banking
• Purchasing office stock via approved suppliers & day-to-day items
• General contact & liaison for landlord, maintenance, utilities, contractors etc.
• General office Health & Safety
• In-studio IT support/set up
• Assistance with company carbon reporting data collection
• Assistance for ISO and H&S audits and implementing actions
• Assist with company events
• Running errands locally
• Archiving & retrieving documents
• Autonomy to suggest improvements for the office, researching costs, putting proposals together
• Support to the Head of Practice Management in delivering practice-wide initiatives

The above-mentioned tasks are a summary of the key responsibilities involved; however, the post holder may be asked to carry out other tasks as directed by the Directors or Associate Directors.

Job Specification

Essential

• Strong organisational/interpersonal skills
• Competent multitasker and able to use own initiative
• Minute / note taking experience
• Ability to work efficiently
• An orderly and precise approach to work
• Focused, self-motivated individual who thrives under pressure
• Honest, discreet, and trustworthy
• Confident and quick to learn
• Effective team player but also able to work on their own
• Commitment to alignment with Architype’s core values as a creative, ecological, progressive community

Desirable

• The ability and skill to maintain a high standard of accuracy in dealing with information and data 
• Computer literate inc. Microsoft Office packages
• Knowledge of Health and Safety
• Relationship building:  The ability to liaise with senior management, line management, colleagues, and external contacts.