The Lead Architect / Urban Designer candidate will work on a range of medium to large-scale urban design and master planning projects of varying complexity. This is a hands-on role, requiring initiative and good communication skills that will be invaluable for attending consultation meetings and liaising with the wider design team and external parties. The candidate will have a keen interest and experience in urban/suburban residential master planning.
Key Responsibilities
* Work in collaboration with colleagues on a range of urban design related and multi-disciplinary projects covering: urban regeneration, development master plans, urban extensions and urban design advice.
* Researching, mapping and analysis of projects and prospective projects.
* Employ the best urban design practices in order to deliver successful schemes.
* Contribute to the design of places from concept through to planning and beyond.
* Prepare background planning and site analysis and development feasibility studies.
* Proactively propose design led options/solutions to problems.
* Prepare high quality planning documents such as Design Briefs, Access Statements, Design Codes and Parameter Plans.
* Liaise effectively with clients and community stakeholders. Participate in public consultation events, client and project meetings.
* Report Writing and preparation of site plans.
* Assist the practice expand its skillset to a wider range of clients with more focus on attracting work at Outline Stages of Applications.
Person Specification and key skills
Experience and Qualifications :
* MA in Urban Design / RIBA qualified
* Minimum of year's post qualification experience working on medium to large-scale urban or suburban housing design and master planning projects.
* Demonstrable workplace experience of survey and analysis of sites, preparation of base plans and supporting material required for urban design and master planning work is essential.
* Experience in advanced graphic communication techniques such as, Urban Design diagrams, photo montage and hand sketching.
* Excellent knowledge of urban design best practice and UK planning policy.
* Knowledge and understanding of building components and typologies and their relationship to public space and urban infrastructure.
* Strong project management skills.
* Confidence in employing a range of hand drawn and technical drawing skills to a high level.
* Excellent presentation, graphics and 3D design skills, with the ability to create good quality illustrated, print-ready reports related to our projects.
* Strong attention to detail with the ability to apply creative thought and energy to a range of projects.
* Client and team focused - Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build and maintain strong collaborative internal and external working relationships.
* The ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, and to demonstrate competency in presenting ideas and concepts.
* A calm disposition with the ability organise effectively, to take responsibility, work under pressure and to meet project deadlines.
* Proactive, responsible and able to use initiative and work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
* Highly self-motivated and dedicated to developing self and career.
* Strong software knowledge and skills - AutoCAD, Revit (not essential), Sketch Up, Adobe Creative Cloud (including but not limited to Photoshop, InDesign) and MS Office required.
Salary upon experience
The role is office based in Chelmsford 9am-5pm with an hour for lunch, four weeks holiday and additional holiday gifted between Christmas and the New Year.