Senior Urban Design Consultant
Permanent, Full Time
up to £49,054 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Working Style:
Closing Date: 22nd February 2026
*This is a hybrid-working role contractually based in Chelmsford. You will work from the Chelmsford office at least one day per week, and across our operational area on other days, depending on business need.
Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council (ECC) providing environmental and planning services to the Council, local authorities and other public bodies. Our purpose is to support the public sector to deliver its role in sustainable development. The purpose of the Senior Urban Design Consultant role is to provide effective delivery of complex urban design services to our clients across Essex and England.
The successful candidate will join our team of 8no. Urban Designers, advising on sensitive and complex urban design matters, including providing development management and policy advice to local authorities, acting as project lead on evaluation and delivery of Masterplans, design guides and codes, advising on design reviews, preparing design briefs, and undertaking complex specialist tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects.
The role requires a qualified, experienced and accomplished subject matter expert with strong technical expertise, practical knowledge and understanding of Urban Design and relevant legislation, policy, standards and guidance, as well as strong client relationship, business development, communication and information management skills.
Accountabilities
Accountable for the effective delivery of a range of Urban Design services including: managing a demanding caseload of major, complex and sensitive development management and consent consultations at all stages of the planning/consent process (pre-application, application and post consent); preparing design briefs for a range of standard and complex sites; carrying out design reviews on schemes of large-scale, challenge and complexity; developing masterplans, design guides and codes for large-scale and complex schemes; including detailed data capture, analysis and presentation; and carrying out complex tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects, acting as specialist lead.
Responsible for review and development of legislation, plans, policy, and standards, collecting, preserving and analysing evidence, including preparation of case work documents for complex cases (including for planning appeals and enforcement) to recognised standards, reviewing outcomes, and assessing third party compliance.
Responsible for helping to ensure successful business outcomes by building and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external clients and partners, managing low to moderate value accounts, seeking feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and role modelling a client-focused culture across Place services.
Responsible for identification of new business opportunities, seeking sales and client accounts by tendering on moderate to high-value opportunities, and enhancing the recognition and reputation of Place Services through networking and promotional activities.
Responsible for achieving joined up, integrated and effective team working, including management of low-medium value projects, and contracts against approved budgets, specifications, and frameworks.
Responsible for identifying and implementing opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency of technical service delivery.
Contributes to the execution of ECC and client’s responsibilities and duties of care in relation to design in the public realm and the wider built environment.
Contributes to creasing the skills base across the environmental and planning sectors through the design, development and delivery of training and events, and preparation of a range of learning materials.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor’s degree) or equivalent in a relevant subject, with evidence of significant post qualification experience.
Good evidence of relevant continuous professional development and expert knowledge in professional area, and Full Membership or working towards Full Membership of relevant professional body. Recognised Practitioner of the Urban Design Group.
Accomplished technical and subject matter expert, with detailed knowledge and significant experience of development management processes; of planning policy, legislation, and enforcement standards and guidance; development briefs and design review, Masterplans, design guides and codes, and related office and site-based practices and procedures, including graphic presentation.
Able to manage accounts, and to build and maintain client relationships, negotiating confidently, and communicating clearly and effectively, using a range of techniques and communication strategies to influence, inform and persuade clients, contractors, and stakeholders including the public. Has a strong understanding of client needs and drivers and strong client interface skills.
Demonstrable awareness of commercial practices, and experience of bid winning, and able to work effectively as specialist lead within a multi-disciplinary team, and to effectively manage moderate to large scale projects from concept through to completion.
Strong people skills with experience coaching and mentoring specialists and developing and delivering training.
Good understanding of wellbeing and H&S, and experienced producing and implementing standard and complex risk assessments with appropriate controls, and the ability to identify and implement safe working practices for self and others.
High level of ability in use of a range of common and bespoke software packages, including all Microsoft applications, databases and other information management tools. AutoCAD, GIS, and/or design software such as Photoshop Adobe Creative Suite and Sketchup, to implement complex methods of data management and presentation of a range of evidence and data, and to carry out complex analyse and interpretation.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the
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