Blue Diamond Recruitment is proud to be exclusively partnering with our client in the search for a highly experienced Urban Designer to establish and lead a brand-new Urban Design division. This is a career defining opportunity to create a market leading design service within a growing planning consultancy. Working closely with the existing planning team, the successful individual will help shape strategic land promotions, residential masterplans and placemaking strategies for land promoters, house builders and developers. The role requires a blend of design excellence, strategic thinking and commercial leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Division Development
- Lead the establishment and growth of the Urban Design division.
- Recruit, mentor and develop future team members.
- Build strong relationships with clients and professional contacts.
- Raise the profile of the Urban Design service through networking, thought leadership and industry engagement.
Technical Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee the preparation of site appraisals and development capacity studies.
- Vision documents and development frameworks.
- Strategic masterplans.
- Residential led masterplanning.
- Concept layouts and illustrative schemes.
- Design codes.
- Parameter plans.
- Development principles and placemaking strategies.
- Design and Access Statements.
- Input into Local Plan promotion and planning applications.
- Provide strategic design advice to maximise development potential while creating sustainable, attractive and deliverable places.
Client & Commercial Responsibilities
- Develop trusted relationships with land promoters, developers and house builders.
- Support bid submissions and fee proposals.
- Manage project programmes, budgets and profitability.
- Identify opportunities to expand the company's client base and service offering.
Candidate Profile
Essential
- Degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Planning or related discipline.
- Significant experience within a similar environment.
- Strong portfolio of residential and mixed-use masterplanning projects.
- Excellent understanding of the UK planning system, design policy and placemaking principles.
- Experience managing projects and multi-disciplinary consultant teams.
- Strong commercial awareness and client relationship skills.
- Ability to lead and grow a team.
Desirable
- Experience working with strategic land promoters and major house builders.
- Existing industry network capable of generating new opportunities.
Equal Opportunity Employer—We encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
