At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a full-service planning and development team in Hereford.
- Company: Berrys, a people-focused property business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: 35 days holiday, private healthcare, enhanced pension, and agile working.
- Other info: Opportunity for partnership and genuine influence from day one.
- Why this job: Shape the future of planning and architecture while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Professionally qualified with significant experience in planning or architecture.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Company
Berrys is a people-focused property business, built on trusted relationships and a commitment to delivering the best outcomes for our clients. Property is what we do, but our clients and our team are at the heart of everything we achieve. Acting as a trusted advisor, we are ready to support at any stage, bringing together expertise and insight to help navigate challenges and unlock opportunities. Working across Hereford and the surrounding region, we offer a wide range of services including planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation and business consultancy, helping our clients make the very most of their land and property assets. Here, you'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team of engineers, surveyors, archaeologists, planners and architects. We're large enough to offer a diverse range of projects and career opportunities, yet small enough to give you real autonomy. We offer the chance to build meaningful relationships and the space to grow your skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Take autonomous ownership of the development service line in Hereford, setting its direction and driving growth across planning and architectural-led work.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of instructions from landowners, developers, promoters and investors across Herefordshire and the surrounding region.
- Deliver or oversee technical planning and architectural advice across a broad range of sectors, including residential, commercial, mixed-use, rural, strategic land and development-led projects.
- Provide strategic development advice and lead on planning strategy, pre-application engagement, planning applications, appeals, design-led feasibility work, architectural coordination and post-planning work.
- Draw on and coordinate the wider Berrys team across planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation and land promotion to deliver a joined-up, full-service offering.
- Identify and convert new business opportunities, including cross-referrals from existing Berrys clients across the practice.
- Build a strong personal presence and profile for Berrys in the Herefordshire market through networking and business development activity.
- Grow the team over time, with the ability to recruit and develop people around you as the offering scales.
- Contribute to the commercial direction and strategic planning of the wider business alongside the Berrys leadership team.
Candidate Profile
- Professionally qualified, ideally MRTPI, RIBA, ARB or equivalent, with significant post-qualification experience in a planning, architectural, development or multi-disciplinary consultancy environment.
- A demonstrable track record of winning and retaining clients, not just serving them.
- Broad planning, design or development knowledge across multiple sectors, with a strong understanding of the wider development process.
- Strong commercial judgement and an ability to identify and convert business opportunities.
- Confident and credible at a senior level, comfortable engaging with clients, agents, local authorities, design teams, consultants and wider stakeholders.
- Able to identify opportunities where planning, architecture and wider property consultancy services can be brought together to unlock value for clients.
- An appetite for business development that goes beyond duty — someone who finds it genuinely energising.
- Experience of, or an appetite to embrace, a multi-disciplinary practice environment and the opportunities it creates for clients.
- Motivated by long-term ownership and progression, including a genuine interest in partnership.
- A full, clean UK driving licence.
This is a leadership position. The incoming Partner will take ownership of building and scaling a full-service development offering, drawing on either a planning or architectural background and using the firm's established client base, regional reputation and multi-disciplinary platform as a springboard for growth. Berrys is looking for a leader, not just a deliverer, and expects the right person to shape the planning, architecture and development offering in Hereford for years to come.
Why Berrys?
- Real autonomy to lead and build a full-service planning, architectural and development offering from a position of strength.
- Immediate access to an established client base and a strong regional reputation.
- The Berrys multi-disciplinary platform is a genuine competitive advantage for clients.
- A collaborative, flat structure where senior people have genuine influence from day one.
- A clear long-term pathway, with partnership a genuine possibility for the right individual.
- 35 days holiday, private healthcare, enhanced pension, agile working, and a comprehensive benefits package.
Partner - Planning & Development in Hereford employer: Berrys
Berrys is an exceptional employer that prioritises its people, offering a collaborative and supportive work environment in Hereford. With a strong focus on professional growth, employees enjoy real autonomy and the opportunity to lead significant projects while benefiting from a comprehensive benefits package, including 35 days of holiday and private healthcare. The company's multi-disciplinary approach not only enhances client outcomes but also fosters meaningful relationships and career development for its team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partner - Planning & Development in Hereford
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Berrys who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Partner - Planning & Development in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Berrys!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Berrys. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Berrys
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Berrys.
