At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a new Cardiff studio, delivering impactful planning and design projects.
- Company: Award-winning, employee-owned consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and genuine career progression.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence high-profile projects across Wales and the UK.
- Why this job: Shape the future of urban design while making a real difference in communities.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multidisciplinary teams and strong commercial awareness.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Cardiff
Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting an award‑winning, employee‑owned planning and design consultancy in the search for an ambitious Office Lead to establish and grow its new Cardiff studio. This is a rare leadership opportunity for an entrepreneurial professional looking to shape the future of a growing regional office while delivering projects that create lasting environmental, social and economic benefits across Wales.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in building the consultancy's presence in the Welsh market, leading a multidisciplinary team and driving business growth while maintaining the collaborative culture the practice is renowned for.
The Opportunity
This is far more than a traditional management position. You'll have the autonomy to develop a thriving regional office, expand an already impressive client portfolio and recruit, mentor and inspire a talented team of professionals. Working alongside senior leaders across the wider business, you'll lead the delivery of nationally significant projects spanning regeneration, renewable energy, strategic planning, placemaking, infrastructure and environmental planning. This is an outstanding opportunity for someone who enjoys combining technical excellence with business development, leadership and strategic growth.
About You
- Town Planning
- Urban Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Environmental Planning
- Masterplanning
You'd ideally be able to demonstrate:
- A proven track record of leading, developing and inspiring multidisciplinary teams
- Experience managing a regional office, business unit or technical team
- Strong commercial awareness with a passion for winning work and developing client relationships
- An established professional network across Wales would be highly advantageous
- Excellent understanding of the Welsh planning system, legislation and policy
- Experience delivering complex planning, design or environmental projects
- Strong stakeholder engagement and client‑facing skills
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities
- A collaborative leadership style with the ambition to grow both people and business
Candidates with experience across regeneration, renewable energy, biodiversity, placemaking, climate resilience, environmental planning or strategic development will be particularly well suited to this opportunity.
What’s on Offer
- Senior leadership position with significant autonomy
- Opportunity to establish and shape a brand‑new Cardiff office
- Employee‑owned business with an outstanding collaborative culture
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Genuine long‑term career progression
- Opportunity to influence high‑profile projects across Wales and the wider UK
- A business committed to sustainability, innovation and creating better places
If you're an ambitious leader ready to build something exceptional while delivering meaningful projects across Wales, we'd be delighted to speak with you.
Office Lead - Town Planning | Masterplanner /Urban Design | Landscape Architect in Cardiff) employer: Penguin Recruitment
Penguin Recruitment is an excellent employer for Geotechnical Engineers in Cardiff, offering a supportive environment that prioritises career growth and chartership opportunities. With a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and flexible perks, employees can thrive while working on technically challenging projects that make a real impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Office Lead - Town Planning | Masterplanner /Urban Design | Landscape Architect in Cardiff)
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Penguin Recruitment who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Office Lead - Town Planning | Masterplanner /Urban Design | Landscape Architect in Cardiff)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Penguin Recruitment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Penguin Recruitment. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Recruitment
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Penguin Recruitment.
