Gillespies LLP — Senior / Principal Designer (Landscape Architect / Architect) – Freelance / Contract Role About the opportunity Gillespies LLP is a leading landscape architecture, masterplanning and urban design studio with a strong reputation for delivering responsibly designed, transformative, and award-winning environments that enhance people’s lives. We collaborate with forward-thinking clients on pioneering projects across the UK and internationally, shaping places that support healthier, more inclusive and sustainable communities. We are committed to advancing nature-led urbanism , integrating landscape, architecture and urban systems to create resilient and meaningful places for the future. We are seeking a highly talented Senior or Principal-level designer (Landscape Architect or Architect background welcome) to join us on a freelance / contract basis , contributing to design leadership, project delivery and creative development within our studio. Role overview You will play a key role in leading design thinking, supporting project teams, and contributing to the development and delivery of complex projects from concept through to construction. This role is suitable for experienced designers who are confident operating across scales, from strategic design thinking to detailed implementation. Key responsibilities may include: Leading or supporting design development across concept, planning and technical stages • Producing high-quality drawings, diagrams, visualisations and presentation materials • Guiding assistants and mentoring junior team members • Contributing to client discussions, workshops and design reviews • Supporting project coordination, tender preparation and construction-stage design input • Working across multidisciplinary teams on UK and international projects • Supporting research, precedent analysis and material exploration Design, digital and innovation capability We are particularly interested in candidates who are passionate about the evolving relationship between design and technology. You should demonstrate interest and experience in: Emerging digital design tools and AI-assisted workflows • Visualisation, data-informed design research and design optimisation • Integration of digital methods into concept generation and delivery processes • Supporting studio learning and mentoring others in improved digital practice Freelance working considerations This is a freelance / contract role . Candidates should therefore be able to confirm: Professional Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance coverage appropriate to freelance design work Familiarity with industry-standard design tools used in landscape and architectural practice Access to your own laptop and business licensed core design software Software list : Essential Adobe Creative Cloud (with access to Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator as a minimum) Microsoft 365 or Studio 2019 with MS Teams. AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT Desirable based on project requirements Autodesk Revit Autodesk Navisworks
