Associate Director - Landscape Architecture

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is working with an established multidisciplinary consultancy to appoint an Associate Director within its growing Landscape Architecture team.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Chartered Landscape Architect to take a senior role combining landscape design, project leadership, client development and team management.

The consultancy works across the environmental, planning, design and built environment sectors, delivering projects across residential development, renewable energy, infrastructure and mixed-use schemes.

You will work alongside specialists from a range of complementary environmental, planning and technical disciplines, providing the opportunity to contribute to complex multidisciplinary projects from early planning and design through to delivery.

THE ROLE

As Associate Director, you will take a leadership role in the delivery of Landscape Architecture projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and overseeing projects across all stages of development.

You will remain hands-on with landscape planning and design while taking greater responsibility for clients, people, project performance and the continued growth of the Landscape Architecture team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading complex landscape design projects across a range of sectors
• Providing design leadership, technical guidance and quality assurance
• Project managing major and complex landscape projects
• Supporting infrastructure, renewable energy and strategic development projects
• Contributing to DCO and NSIP projects where relevant
• Coordinating multidisciplinary project teams
• Reviewing technical reports, drawings, visualisations and supporting documentation
• Providing strategic landscape, visual and environmental advice to clients
• Liaising with Local Planning Authorities, statutory consultees and other stakeholders
• Managing project programmes, budgets, forecasting and resources
• Developing and strengthening relationships with existing and prospective clients
• Identifying new business opportunities and contributing to bids, fee proposals and tenders
• Leading client presentations, design workshops and stakeholder engagement
• Line managing, coaching and mentoring junior colleagues
• Supporting Landscape Architects progressing towards CMLI
• Contributing to the continued growth and development of the Landscape Architecture team

ABOUT YOU

You will be an experienced Landscape Architect with a strong design background and the ability to combine technical expertise with leadership, commercial awareness and client management.

Essential experience includes:

• Landscape Institute accredited PGDip or Master's degree in Landscape Architecture
• Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI)
• Significant post-chartership consultancy experience
• A demonstrable specialism in landscape design with a strong portfolio of high-quality design work
• Experience leading and delivering complex Landscape Architecture projects
• Experience managing multidisciplinary project teams
• Strong client management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience preparing or reviewing fee proposals and tenders
• Project financial management experience, including budgets, forecasting and invoicing
• Experience mentoring, managing or developing junior colleagues
• Strong understanding of UK planning and environmental consenting processes
• Technical knowledge of landscape planning, landscape design and visual assessment methodologies
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience with relevant landscape design and visualisation software
• Knowledge of GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS
• Full UK driving licence

Experience of major infrastructure, renewable energy, strategic development or DCO/NSIP projects would be particularly valuable.

Experience acting as an expert witness or supporting appeal, inquiry or examination proceedings would also be beneficial.

WHY CONSIDER THE OPPORTUNITY?

This is a senior position offering the opportunity to influence the development of a growing Landscape Architecture team while remaining closely involved in design and project delivery.

The consultancy offers a supportive, collaborative environment with opportunities to work alongside specialists from across the environmental and built environment sectors.

Benefits include:

• Hybrid and flexible working
• Enhanced annual leave
• Enhanced company pension
• Private medical insurance following probation
• Death in service cover
• Protected CPD
• Professional body membership contribution
• Structured career progression and development
• Bonus scheme
• Additional leave linked to length of service
• Health and wellbeing benefits
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme

APPLY

If you are a Chartered Landscape Architect considering your next step at Associate Director level, we would be very happy to have a confidential conversation about the opportunity.

Please send your CV and portfolio to vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk.