At a Glance
- Tasks: Create imaginative masterplans for urban extensions and greenfield sites with a collaborative team.
- Company: David Lock Associates, an independent firm focused on innovative planning solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, flexible working, and generous leave policies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on nationally significant projects while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in masterplanning, town planning, and strong presentation skills.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture with opportunities for study trips and community involvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Join Our Team
David Lock Associates is recruiting a Senior or Associate level Masterplanner with a strong portfolio in masterplanning urban extensions and greenfield sites. The successful candidate will join our committed team based in the City of Milton Keynes and work in multidisciplinary teams to produce imaginative, compelling and deliverable masterplans for landowners, developers and the public sector.
At DLA you will work alongside and learn from creative designers, town planners and communications experts with extensive industry practice and knowledge. Our approach is collaborative, ambitious and innovative, and we aim to create great places where new communities can thrive.
You will be able to deliver imaginative concept work for vision documents and site appraisals to support land promotion, as well as contributing to the preparation of illustrative masterplans, parameter plans and Design & Access Statements to support outline planning applications. You should have a good level of insight and understanding of how masterplanning integrates with town planning to secure high quality planning permissions, and how design inputs evolve between the outline and reserved matters stages. Experience in design coding would be a distinct advantage.
You should be confident in expressing and presenting your work to a range of audiences β from colleagues and clients to local authorities and stakeholders. DLA is fortunate to have an enviable client list, but we actively tender for new work, and you should be able to demonstrate success in this area, having contributed to winning bids. We are particularly keen to hear from those with a background in landscape architecture who have worked at a strategic scale.
For the successful candidate there is real potential to make your mark at DLA on nationally significant projects, alongside clear career progression.
Whatβs on offer
We are wholly owned by an Employee Benefit Trust on behalf of all our employees and have no external shareholders. As an independent business we make all our decisions, with the benefit of our team and practice in mind. We allocate a percentage of our profits to charitable causes and have always invested time and energy into our local community and good causes. We are an inclusive organisation and accommodate a wide range of flexible working arrangements. We also host company-wide study trips which are often abroad, annual away days, and an array of social, cultural and sporting activities. We work hard to be a happy collective. We share our success with the people who create it.
We offer very competitive packages, including performance related bonuses, long service leave on top of annual holiday allowance, an excellent contributory pension scheme, medical insurance scheme, group life insurance, a cycle to work scheme and more.
How to apply
Applicants should submit a CV which should include your technical skills, and a portfolio in pdf format which makes clear the scale and broad location of the projects and your own outputs. Please also send a covering letter explaining why you are particularly suited to a position with us to Roz Collier: rcollier@davidlock.com. The closing date for applications is 9th February 2026. No recruitment agencies please β we want to hear from you.
Senior / Associate Masterplanner in Milton Keynes employer: David Lock Associates Ltd
Contact Detail:
David Lock Associates Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Senior / Associate Masterplanner in Milton Keynes
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role at DLA.
β¨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure itβs up-to-date and highlights your best work in masterplanning. When you get the chance to present, be confident and passionate about your projects β itβll make a lasting impression.
β¨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! Research DLAβs recent projects and align your skills and experiences with their needs. When you apply through our website, make it clear how you can contribute to creating great places for new communities.
β¨Tip Number 4
Practice your pitch! Whether itβs a formal interview or an informal chat, be ready to discuss your vision for masterplanning and how you can help DLA win new bids. Confidence is key!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior / Associate Masterplanner in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application π«‘
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should not just list your skills but showcase your experience in masterplanning urban extensions and greenfield sites. Make sure to highlight specific projects you've worked on, especially those that demonstrate your ability to create imaginative and deliverable masterplans.
Showcase Your Portfolio: When putting together your portfolio, ensure it clearly outlines the scale and location of your projects. Include visuals that reflect your design coding experience and how your work integrates with town planning. This is your chance to shine, so make it visually appealing!
Personalise Your Covering Letter: In your covering letter, explain why youβre a perfect fit for DLA. Mention your background in landscape architecture and any relevant experience in winning bids. We want to see your passion for creating great places where communities can thrive!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us youβre keen to be part of our collaborative and innovative team!
How to prepare for a job interview at David Lock Associates Ltd
β¨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss your portfolio in detail, especially the projects that align with masterplanning urban extensions and greenfield sites. Be ready to explain your role, the challenges faced, and how your contributions led to successful outcomes.
β¨Understand the Companyβs Vision
Familiarise yourself with David Lock Associates' approach to masterplanning and their commitment to creating thriving communities. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate how your values align with theirs during the interview.
β¨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working in multidisciplinary teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with designers, planners, or stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you handle differing opinions and drive projects forward.
β¨Showcase Your Presentation Skills
As you'll need to present your work to various audiences, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a past project to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively during the interview.