At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead landscape design assurance and delivery for HS2's massive ecological programme.
- Company: Join High Speed Two Ltd, a leader in innovative infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 12% pension, hybrid working, and long-term career security.
- Why this job: Shape the UK's landscape for generations with a unique client-side leadership role.
- Qualifications: Degree in Landscape Architecture and experience in major infrastructure projects.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence outcomes and broaden your career beyond design.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 77500 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham or London (Hybrid – 3 days office/site - flexible working)
Salary: £70,000 – £77,500 / 75,000 - £83,672 London + 12% Pension + Package
One of the Most Unique Landscape Roles in Europe. This is not a typical landscape Architect/ Design role. This is an opportunity to join High Speed Two Ltd and take a client-side leadership position on the largest landscape and ecology programme of its kind in Europe, forming part of HS2. We’re delivering:
- 3,500 hectares of landscape and habitat creation
- 8 million trees and 400km of hedgerows
- A long-term environmental legacy tied to a nationally significant infrastructure programme
This is a rare chance to shape a project that will define the UK’s landscape for generations.
Why This Role Stands Out
- Client-side ownership, you influence outcomes, not just advise
- Strategic leadership role - act as the “strong voice in the room”
- Massive scale & complexity – across multiple contracts and disciplines
- Full lifecycle exposure: design, construction, handover, and long-term asset management
- 30-year asset legacy backed by DfT commitment
- 10+ years remaining on the programme – long-term career security
This is the kind of role that broadens your career beyond pure design into delivery, strategy, and asset management, indeed full estate management.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Landscape, you will join a small, high-level team as one of the senior leaders responsible for landscape design assurance and delivery across HS2. This is a strategic oversight role, not hands-on design. You will act as the client’s subject matter expert, ensuring landscape commitments are delivered to the highest standards across detailed design, construction, and long-term maintenance. With civils and green asset packages already in detailed design and construction, your focus will be on assurance, verification, and performance across delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the Landscape Design Subject Matter Expert, setting direction and assuring quality across multiple contracts
- Provide technical leadership and design verification, ensuring compliant and value-driven solutions
- Influence and challenge Tier 1 contractors and design teams to drive performance
- Work across a complex, multi-disciplinary environment including civils, environment, planning, and delivery teams
- Oversee on-site verification of landscape works and ensure delivery aligns with design intent
- Support handover and transition into long-term asset management and maintenance
- Ensure landscape mitigation commitments are fully realised across the programme
What They’re Looking For
- Degree in Landscape Architecture (or equivalent), ideally Chartered (CMLI)
- Proven experience as a landscape/public realm SME on major infrastructure or large-scale projects
- Strong track record overseeing landscape delivery (not just design)
- Experience working across design, construction, and handover phases
- Strong understanding of design assurance, programme, cost, and risk
- Ability to influence, challenge, and hold contractors to account
- Experience in complex environments such as rail, highways, regeneration, or large public realm schemes
Why Move from Consultancy?
- Move from advisory → decision-making authority
- Gain exposure across full lifecycle delivery (EIA → design → construction → maintenance)
- Broaden your technical experience
- Work on multiple phases simultaneously – experience that typically takes 10–15 years to build
- No timesheets, no fee pressure – focus on quality and outcomes
Senior Landscape Manager - HS2 in Birmingham employer: Charlton Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Charlton Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Landscape Manager - HS2 in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about following up after an interview. A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We appreciate a little enthusiasm and it shows you’re genuinely interested in the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to reach out directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Landscape Manager - HS2 in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Landscape Manager role. Highlight your leadership in landscape design and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving large-scale infrastructure.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this unique opportunity at HS2. Share your vision for landscape management and how you can influence outcomes as part of our team.
Showcase Your Expertise: In your application, emphasise your experience as a subject matter expert in landscape architecture. Discuss how you've successfully overseen landscape delivery and influenced contractors in previous roles, as this will resonate with what we're looking for.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you're keen to be part of the StudySmarter family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charlton Recruitment
✨Know Your Landscape Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of landscape design and management, especially in relation to large-scale infrastructure projects. Brush up on HS2’s goals and how your expertise aligns with their vision for a long-term environmental legacy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about strategic oversight and influencing outcomes. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully led teams or projects, particularly in complex environments. Highlight how you’ve driven performance and ensured quality across multiple contracts.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to be challenged on your technical knowledge and experience. Be ready to discuss design assurance, programme management, and risk assessment. Think of specific scenarios where you’ve had to verify compliance and deliver value-driven solutions.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working across various disciplines, it’s crucial to show that you can collaborate effectively. Prepare to discuss how you’ve worked with different teams, such as civils and planning, and how you’ve influenced contractors to achieve project goals.