Graduate Host Cities Consultant (6123)

Working in our Host Cities team, we focus on helping cities consider, bid, plan and host major events around the world while also delivering long‑term legacy benefits for all of their citizens in a way that champions the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our projects include the Olympic, Pan American and Commonwealth Games, FIFA World Cups and other major events. Our work also extends to the delivery of major national infrastructure and redevelopment projects under government‑to‑government agreements, such as the Peru Reconstruction.

A significant part of the role is about bringing people together around shared aspirations and facilitating appropriate processes and narratives so that all stakeholders and interested parties can achieve their longer‑term ambitions through the hosting of major events.

The Opportunity: We have developed important collaborations with some of the leading thinkers, lobbyists and drivers of cities and major events, including:

• National and city governments and mayors
• Sporting federations and sporting bodies
• Major franchises and other interested bodies
• Property developers and regeneration companies
• Clients of major infrastructure projects such as rail, airports, highways and ports

As a graduate you would help our team deliver successful outcomes for our clients and other stakeholders. Your role would include undertaking research and analysis, and producing reports, graphics and technical drawings at every stage of the planning and delivery of projects. In addition, as the sector undergoes a digital transformation, you will support the development of new ways of working to help our clients embrace the many benefits of AI and digital planning to deliver better projects.

The Host Cities team is a multidisciplinary group of urban designers, architects, planners and engineers, part of our wider Cities Planning and Design group based in London. We provide strategy, planning and design consulting services to numerous high‑profile clients and work across architecture, city economics, urban design, landscape architecture, transport planning, sustainability consulting, event operations and city operations.

Is this role right for you? We are seeking graduates who are confident, ambitious and collaborative, and who strive to create better outcomes through the transformational opportunities that large major sporting events offer to cities worldwide. We are looking for graduates with a strong technical base, who have the flexibility, curiosity for learning and personal drive to get involved with a range of tasks and projects from day one. We would like you to have an interest in sustainable development, heritage, culture, transport, sports, and social infrastructure.

From your first day you will join an unrivalled community of experts, where everyone is supported in their career path and provided with great training opportunities. You will help us deliver effective and professional services for a range of varied and high‑profile clients, and you will have the chance to take on more responsibility as you progress.

Qualifications, Attributes and Skills:

• An undergraduate degree in architecture, urban design, planning, business, urban studies or geography; a post‑graduate degree and/or professional experience or placement is desirable.
• A technical design portfolio is required to apply.
• An interest in sport, while not essential, would be desirable.
• Excellent drawing and presentation skills, including 3D modelling and outstanding graphics.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator), Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp and other CAD software is desirable.
• Interest in or skills in project management are desirable.
• Ability to analyse data and maps, develop research methods and execute research projects.
• Ability to interpret the needs of clients and other stakeholders, and take a strategic view on complex, multifaceted issues.
• Ability to apply a total design holistic approach to work, problem solving and critical thinking, championing different skills, perspectives and values.
• Other skills such as GIS, data management, statistical analysis, AI image generation, programming and other digital skills are beneficial but not required.
• Experience and/or good knowledge of sustainable development is desirable.

Candidate Profile:

• Passion for sustainable development and creating a better world.
• Innovative analytics and critical thinking skills, embracing new ideas and challenging the status quo.
• Growth mindset, always eager to learn and explore new ways of working.
• Adaptability and readiness to take on any challenge.
• Available to start in September 2026.