Senior Landscape Manager - HS2

Senior Landscape Manager - HS2

Full-Time 70000 - 83672 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Charlton Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead landscape design assurance for HS2's massive ecological programme.
  • Company: Join High Speed Two Ltd, a leader in innovative infrastructure.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, 12% pension, and hybrid working model.
  • Why this job: Shape the UK's landscape for generations with a long-term environmental legacy.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Landscape Architecture and experience in major projects required.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 83672 £ per year.

Location: Birmingham or London (Hybrid – 3 days office/site)

Salary: £70,000 – £83,672 Euston + 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
  • Greater influence over real-world delivery and long-term impact

Senior Landscape Manager - HS2 employer: Charlton Recruitment

High Speed Two Ltd offers an exceptional opportunity for a Senior Landscape Manager to lead one of the largest landscape and ecology programmes in Europe, based in either Birmingham or London. With a strong focus on client-side leadership, this role provides a unique chance to influence significant environmental outcomes while enjoying a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and long-term career security. The hybrid working model, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits package further enhance the appeal of joining a team dedicated to creating a lasting legacy for the UK’s landscape.
Charlton Recruitment

Contact Detail:

Charlton Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Landscape Manager - HS2

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local 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 understand HS2's vision and how your skills can contribute to their massive landscape programme.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You need to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Landscape Manager - HS2

Landscape Design Expertise
Client-side Leadership
Strategic Oversight
Design Assurance
Technical Leadership
Influencing Skills
Multi-disciplinary Collaboration
On-site Verification
Asset Management
Understanding of Programme and Cost Management
Risk Management
Experience in Infrastructure Projects
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

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 experience in landscape delivery and any leadership roles you've held, as we want to see how you can influence outcomes.

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 your background makes you the perfect fit for our team.

Showcase Relevant Projects: Include examples of major infrastructure or large-scale projects you've worked on. We’re interested in your ability to oversee landscape delivery, so don’t hold back on detailing your achievements and the impact you've made.

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 serious about joining our team!

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 architecture and ecology, especially as it relates to large-scale projects like HS2. Brush up on your knowledge of design assurance, programme management, and the environmental impact of infrastructure projects.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role requires a strong voice in the room, so be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams and influencing outcomes. Share examples where you've successfully challenged contractors or driven performance in complex environments.

Understand the Full Lifecycle

Familiarise yourself with the entire lifecycle of landscape projects, from design through to maintenance. Be ready to talk about how you’ve managed transitions between these phases and ensured quality delivery at each stage.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to face technical questions that assess your expertise as a subject matter expert. Review key concepts related to landscape design verification and compliance, and think of scenarios where you’ve applied this knowledge in real-world situations.

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