Senior Urban Design Consultant

Essex; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - GBP 125,000; Full time

Job description

About The Role

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.

Senior Urban Design Consultant

Permanent, Full Time
Up to £49,054 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 22nd February 2026

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 8–10 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.

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.
• Collecting, preserving and analysing evidence, including preparation of case work documents for complex cases (including for planning appeals and enforcement) to recognised standards.
• 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-modeling a client-focused culture across Place Services.
• 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.
• Managing low-medium value projects and contracts against approved budgets, specifications, and frameworks.
• Implementing opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency of technical service delivery.
• Contributing to ECC and client responsibilities and duties of care in relation to design in the public realm and the wider built environment.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of training and events, and preparation of a range of learning materials.

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; Full Membership or working towards Full Membership of relevant professional body (e.g. Recognised Practitioner of the Urban Design Group).
• Accomplished technical and subject-matter expert, detailed knowledge and significant experience of development management processes; planning policy, legislation, 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.
• Ability to manage accounts and build and maintain client relationships, negotiating confidently, and communicating clearly and effectively.
• Demonstrable awareness of commercial practices, bid-winning experience, and ability to work effectively as specialist lead within a multi-disciplinary team, managing 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; experienced in producing and implementing standard and complex risk assessments with appropriate controls and safe working practices.
• 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 (e.g. AutoCAD, GIS, Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp).

Additional Information

To find out more about us please visit our website: www.placeservices.co.uk.

For an informal discussion about the position please email [e-mail] or call 03330 136 861 or 07748 623 787.

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.

To read more about us please visit: www.placeservices.co.uk / Policy, Economy, Investment and Public Health – Working for Essex.

Disability and Equality

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the role. We are also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements.

We value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Recruitment Contact

For queries on this role or for further information, please email [e-mail].