Associate Director/Technical Director/Director (Landscape Planning)

Location: Birmingham or Bristol | Hybrid / Remote working

Morson Group is delighted to be supporting an established and growing multidisciplinary consultancy with the appointment of an Associate / Director / Technical Director – Landscape Planning.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Chartered Landscape Architect to take on a senior position within a growing landscape planning team. The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise and project leadership with client management, business development and the strategic development of the consultancy’s landscape planning services.

With the flexibility to work remotely for up to 80%, this opportunity is open to candidates based in Birmingham, Bristol and surrounding areas, as well as those who are able to travel to either location when required.

Reasons to apply

• High quality and diverse project portfolio, working across a broad range of development sectors and project scales.
• Multidisciplinary, integrated projects, working alongside professionals across planning, engineering, environmental, transport and other technical disciplines.
• An opportunity to shape and grow the landscape planning service, with the autonomy to develop client relationships, win work and contribute to the future direction of the team.
• Flexible hybrid working, with the opportunity to work remotely for up to 80% of the time.
• Join an established and collaborative consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality technical advice and integrated solutions.
• A role offering genuine career progression and leadership responsibility, with the level of appointment tailored to the experience and capability of the successful candidate.

Your role

As a senior member of the landscape team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality landscape planning advice and leading projects from inception through to implementation. You will also contribute to the continued development and growth of the landscape planning service.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead and project manage small to large landscape planning projects, from inception through to implementation, ensuring high-quality technical delivery, programme and commercial performance.
• Provide senior technical advice and strategic landscape planning input across a range of development projects.
• Prepare, review and sign off high-quality landscape planning reports, including Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments, Landscape Character Assessments and other technical landscape planning documents as appropriate.
• Lead and contribute to site promotion documents, planning applications, design and access statements and other planning submissions.
• Direct and review the production of landscape strategies, landscape masterplans and illustrative design information to support a range of developments.
• Provide expert advice on landscape planning, planning policy, design codes, legislation, regulations and relevant guidance and standards.
• Maintain and develop technical standards, methodologies, templates and best-practice approaches.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and support to colleagues within the landscape team and across the wider business.
• Assist with the strategic development of the landscape planning team, including identifying opportunities for growth, recruitment and development of technical capability.
• Take responsibility for the financial management and commercial performance of projects, including budgets, fee forecasting, invoicing and resource management.
• Prepare and manage fee proposals, bids and tenders, working collaboratively with colleagues across the business.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted technical adviser and senior point of contact.
• Actively contribute to business development and the growth of the landscape planning portfolio, identifying opportunities and developing relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Represent the consultancy at planning appeals, public inquiries, meetings, public consultations, exhibitions, conferences and other industry events.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders, external consultants and clients to develop integrated and commercially successful project solutions.
• Undertake site visits and fieldwork as required.
• Contribute to the wider leadership and strategic development of the landscape planning team and the consultancy.

Our requirements

We are looking for an experienced and commercially aware Chartered Landscape Architect with a strong background in landscape planning.

You will ideally have:

• A Bachelor’s degree, Diploma or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture.
• Chartered Landscape Architect status.
• Significant professional experience in landscape planning and consultancy, with experience appropriate to an Associate, Director or Technical Director level.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and landscape planning processes, with the ability to provide authoritative advice to clients and project teams.
• Demonstrable experience of preparing and/or reviewing high-quality landscape planning reports and technical assessments.
• Experience of leading landscape inputs to major planning applications, development proposals and/or strategic sites.
• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, planning policy, design codes, guidance and professional best practice.
• Experience using relevant software, including AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Keyscape and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical matters clearly to clients, stakeholders and colleagues.
• Experience of project management, financial management and resource planning.
• Experience of winning work, preparing fee proposals and contributing to bids and tenders.
• A strong track record of client relationship management and business development.
• Experience of mentoring and developing colleagues and contributing positively to team culture.
• The ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary consultancy environment.
• A proactive, commercially minded approach and the ambition to contribute to the continued growth of the landscape planning service.

About the consultancy

Our client is an established and growing multidisciplinary consultancy working across the built environment and development sectors.

The consultancy brings together a range of technical disciplines to provide integrated solutions for clients, with landscape planning forming an important part of its wider service offering.

The business has a strong focus on technical excellence, collaboration, client relationships and professional development, providing an environment where experienced professionals can take ownership of projects, develop their careers and contribute to the growth of the business.

This is an opportunity to join the business