* Senior Urban Design Officer (Interim)
Immediate Start
Shape one of the UK's most iconic cities.
Oxford is growing, changing and facing big design challenges-and we're looking for an experienced Senior Urban Design Officer to help lead the quality and ambition of major development across the city.
This is a high-profile interim role at the heart of a busy planning authority, ideal for an urban design professional who thrives on influence, collaboration and design excellence.
The role
You'll be a trusted design specialist, working closely with planning colleagues and senior stakeholders to ensure development in Oxford is of the highest quality.
Key responsibilities include:
* Providing specialist urban design advice on major planning applications and pre-application enquiries
* Shaping and contributing to design guidance and planning policy projects
* Supporting and helping to facilitate the Oxford Design Review Panel
* Advising officers, applicants, agents and elected Members with clear, balanced and evidence-led recommendations
* Presenting confidently at committees and stakeholder meetings
* About you
You're a confident, credible urban design professional who can balance strong design principles with pragmatic decision-making.
You will bring:
* A degree in urban design, architecture or a closely related subject
* Membership (or working towards) RIBA, RTPI or the Urban Design Group
* Proven experience dealing with the urban design aspects of major development proposals
* A strong track record of influencing outcomes and building collaborative relationships
* Contract details
* 37 hours per week
* 5 days per week (4-day condensed week considered)
* Hybrid working - flexible, with an expectation of at least 2 days per week in the office(Thursdays are typically the key office day)
* Immediate start
* Initial contract until at least August, with potential extension
* Rates:
* £20.99 PAYE per hour
* £23.52 Umbrella per hour
* Higher rates considered for the right candidate please note your anticipated rate on your CV
* Why this role?
* Work on high-profile schemes in a world-renowned city
* Be a genuine design influencer, not just a reviewer
* Join a collaborative, professional team that values quality and expertise
* Flexible working with a competitive interim rate
* If you're ready to make a visible impact on Oxford's built environment, we'd love to hear from you.
* Experience presenting to elected Members and committees
* Sound, current knowledge of the UK planning system, planning law and government guidance
* Excellent analytical skills and the confidence to make and defend evidence-based judgements
* Strong IT capability