At a Glance
- Tasks: Design vibrant urban spaces that promote social inclusion and tackle the climate crisis.
- Company: Join Planit, a certified B Corp committed to positive change in urban design.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, hybrid working, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams on significant projects across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in urban design, strong UK planning knowledge, and proficiency in design software.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Planit is a place based design practice driven by a simple but ambitious purpose: to design for all life to thrive in balance. As we move into the next phase of our Strategic Plan, we’re building momentum and looking to strengthen and grow our Urban Design team. Our studios play an active stewarding role within their wider communities and ecosystems. Our established studio in Altrincham, Greater Manchester is the focus of our largest Urban Design team and serves our clients based across the northwest. We are proud to play an active role in shaping the city of Manchester and those within the wider region.
Planit is an Employee-Owned business and a certified B Corp, with a clear commitment to balancing people, planet and profit. We actively welcome candidates who share our values and want to use design as a force for positive change. This is an exciting moment to join Planit, as we continue to expand our influence, capability and impact across the UK.
The opportunity: You’ll join a diverse, collaborative and interdisciplinary studio environment, working on ambitious projects, strategies and places that respond to:
- Social inclusion
- The climate crisis
We are building on a strong portfolio of city-wide and nationally significant work, including:
- Hull City Centre Vision
- Derby City Centre Public Realm Strategy
- Liverpool Waters
As part of our longer-term regenerative ambitions, we are now focused on growing our Urban Design capability across our regions, offering opportunities to contribute meaningfully to places that matter.
The role: We're looking for a driven, thoughtful and design-led Senior Urban Designer with a passion for regenerative urbanism. This role will be shaped around experience, capability and ambition, with scope for growth and leadership over time.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has intricate knowledge and experience of the UK planning system and urban regeneration processes
- Demonstrates strategic thinking alongside design excellence
- Brings a genuine passion for urban design and regenerative practice
- Thrives in a studio-based, team-oriented environment with the ability to engage and mentor junior team members
- Is a confident communicator and collaborator across a range of different audiences
- Is proficient in using Adobe Creative Suite and CAD software packages (Experience in Vectorworks would be an advantage but isn't essential)
- Is capable of running projects over a range of sizes to meet programme and cost requirements
- Has a detailed knowledge of project fees, fee expenditure and budgets
- Possesses a post-graduate qualification (or equivalent) in Urban Design or related subjects
- Has a minimum of 5 years professional experience (or equivalent)
What we offer:
- Minimum 22 days holiday plus bank holidays and 3 Christmas closure days
- Flexible start and finish times (core working hours are 10.00am to 4.30pm)
- Hybrid working (one day per week from home if full-time)
- Company pension
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Salary sacrifice cycle and Electric Vehicle Car schemes
- Support with professional fees and CPD
- Annual study trips
- Opportunities to collaborate across UK-wide studios
Learning and Development: Planit’s Learning and Development Programme equips team members with the regenerative practice knowledge and skills needed to fulfil our Purpose: Designing for All Life to Thrive in Balance. Blending individual growth with practice-wide innovation, the programme offers Masterclasses and workshops across nine learning pathways, drawing on industry expertise and land-based experimentation at our Gloucestershire Studio.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require sponsorship, please check your eligibility against the relevant criteria on the UK Government website before submitting your application.
Closing date: 23:59 on Sunday 13 September
Senior Urban Designer, Manchester employer: Planit-ie
Planit is an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where creativity thrives in a supportive environment. As an Employee-Owned business and certified B Corp, we prioritise the well-being of our team members while making a positive impact on communities and the environment. With ample opportunities for professional growth, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to regenerative practices, joining our Manchester studio means being part of a purpose-driven team dedicated to designing for a sustainable future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Urban Designer, Manchester
✨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 Planit-ie 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 Senior Urban Designer, Manchester
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 Planit-ie!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Planit-ie. 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 Planit-ie
✨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 Planit-ie.
