Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and assess exciting urban development projects in a historic environment.
- Company: Join Winchester City Council's innovative Planning Department.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, free parking, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable development in a beautiful historic district.
- Qualifications: Experience in urban design, architecture, or planning is preferred.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Closing Date: Midnight 24/02/2026
Provisional Interview date: During the week commencing 09/03/2026
Contract Type: Full Time (37 hours) / Permanent
Winchester City Council has an exciting opportunity within its Planning Department to join our specialist Historic Environment Team. We are seeking an ambitious Urban Design Officer to assess and shape the most interesting and complex development projects in our district. The successful candidate will work widely with different departments across the Council and will be a key player in strategic projects.
Winchester is a former capital of England, the cradle of the nation. An urban area with a 2000‑year history, a precious heritage that demands people of the highest calibre to care for it and to plan its future. Our district includes not only the cathedral city of Winchester, but also smaller towns and villages, beautiful countryside and a large part of the South Downs National Park. You will have the opportunity to use your expertise to shape and support ambitious sustainable development projects across the district.
The Historic Environment Team is a small but influential team within the Built Environment Service, made up of specialists in archaeology, historic buildings and urban design. We’re supportive and highly collaborative; we aspire to high standards in throughout our work. We are committed to your professional development and growth, while maximising work/life balance. This vacancy has arisen through the promotion of the existing post holder within another council.
The Role
- Provide urban design advice for pre‑applications, planning applications and appeals
- Guide the Council’s Major Projects and New Homes teams
- Shape the development of masterplans and development frameworks for significant projects
- Contribute to the production of design codes, local planning policies and guidance documents
- Coordinate the Design Review Panel
- Advise elected members, informally and through committee meetings and presentations
- Support and train planning officers in urban design to ‘grow our own’
About you
Our ideal candidate would be a qualified urban designer, architect, landscape architect or town planner with several years’ experience in design for major development projects. We have a good deal of work in historic environments and sensitive landscapes, so experience in historic building conservation and working with protected landscapes is desirable (although not essential). What is most important to us is finding someone with the right fit, to work proactively and adaptably with us to negotiate and advocate for high quality design in new development. The right candidate will understand what it means to collaborate and engage effectively with a customer and our community stakeholders.
Benefits
- A hybrid working pattern, with up to 50% of your time working remotely
- Free parking across the district
- Paid Membership fees to your professional body
- Paid private healthcare (with optional upgrades)
- Local Government pension scheme, with 18% employer contributions
- A supportive workplace culture, wellbeing support programmes
- Discounted bus travel and public transport loans
- Volunteering
If this sounds like the role for you, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Daniel Ayre, Historic Environment Team Leader, for an informal chat about the role on 01962848084 or by email to dayre@winchester.gov.uk.
Winchester City Council are unable to provide sponsorship for visa applications.
Urban Design Officer in Winchester employer: Winchester City Council
Contact Detail:
Winchester City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Urban Design Officer in Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the urban design field, especially those connected to Winchester City Council. Attend local events or webinars to make connections and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the council's recent projects and initiatives. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for shaping sustainable development in historic environments.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As an Urban Design Officer, you'll need to communicate your ideas clearly. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to refine your pitch.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our supportive and collaborative team.
We think you need these skills to ace Urban Design Officer in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Urban Design Officer role. Highlight relevant experience in urban design, planning, and any work with historic environments. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about urban design and how you can contribute to our Historic Environment Team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a bit of personality!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills: Since this role involves working with various departments and stakeholders, make sure to highlight your teamwork and communication skills. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated on projects in the past – we value a good team player!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s quick and easy, and ensures your application gets to us directly. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity – we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Winchester City Council
✨Know Your Urban Design Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your urban design principles, especially those related to historic environments and sensitive landscapes. Be ready to discuss your previous projects and how they align with the role's focus on sustainable development.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working with various departments and stakeholders, prepare examples that highlight your teamwork skills. Think about times when you successfully collaborated on a project or navigated differing opinions to achieve a common goal.
✨Prepare for Design Review Panel Insights
Familiarise yourself with the concept of design review panels and be ready to discuss how you would coordinate and contribute to them. Consider what makes a successful design review and how you can advocate for high-quality design in new developments.
✨Engage with the Community
Understanding community needs is crucial for this role. Prepare to talk about how you've engaged with community stakeholders in the past. Think about how you can advocate for their interests while balancing the council's objectives.
