Principal Landscape Planner

Job Title: Principal Landscape Planner

About the Role:

An experienced and talented Landscape Planner is sought to join an established and friendly landscape team. The role offers the opportunity to work on a diverse and expanding portfolio of high-profile projects, including the design and assessment of renewable energy projects (onshore and offshore wind, solar, and battery storage), routeing and assessment of strategically important electricity transmission infrastructure, landscape character and sensitivity assessments, green infrastructure strategies, and landscape designation reviews, alongside research projects.

With teams located across multiple offices, including London, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and an expanding Cardiff office, the landscape planning and management team supports a broad range of projects at local, regional, and national levels. The team also engages in various environmental and community-led initiatives.

The role involves contributing to shaping policy and promoting positive outcomes for nature, people, and place. Collaboration with professionals across different disciplines, such as ecology, historic environment, landscape design, and planning, is integral to the work.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project management and leadership of a wide range of projects, fulfilling the role of Project Manager under the directorship of Project Directors.
2. Acting as a key point of contact for clients and internal/external team members, supporting business development initiatives.
3. Delivering high-quality project outputs, including written reports, ensuring all deliverables meet the highest quality standards.
4. Involvement in recruitment and line management of consultant-level colleagues.
5. Contributing to tenders and pricing exercises, driving the development of an expanding portfolio of work.
6. Supporting professional development, from graduate level to chartered membership of relevant professional bodies.

Working Arrangements: The full-time role is based on a 37.5-hour workweek (Monday to Friday). However, flexible working options, including part-time hours (minimum 30 hours per week), are available.

Salary: £32,500 - £48,750 FTE, depending on experience (plus £4,000 London allowance if applicable).

The role also includes participation in the management and ownership of the business through an Employee Ownership Trust, granting employees influence over the company's future direction.

Candidate Profile:

Essential:

1. Strong background as a Landscape Architect / Landscape Planner or a professional from a related discipline with transferable skills.
2. Excellent report-writing, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
3. Strong technical competence and proven delivery experience.
4. Ability to support ongoing work and identify new opportunities.
5. A proactive approach with a keen interest in exploring new places, understanding new technologies, and working independently.
6. Willingness to travel across the UK, including remote locations.
7. Experience managing and delivering Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA), from feasibility to mitigation strategies.
8. Experience with related aspects of LVIA, including Seascape, Townscape, and Visual Impact Assessments.
9. Degree or postgraduate qualification in landscape or a related field.
10. Experience writing and contributing to fee bids and securing new work.
11. Client-facing experience and ability to collaborate with external team members.
12. Proficiency in Word and Excel for producing high-quality reports and tenders.
13. A valid driving licence and competency in fieldwork and photography.

Desirable:

1. Experience in one or more of the following:
2. Landscape Character Assessment (LCA)
3. Landscape Sensitivity Studies (LSS)
4. Green Infrastructure Strategies
5. Assessment and management of protected landscapes
6. Planning for future landscapes and climate change response
7. Landscape design principles and guidance

Knowledge of LVIA viewpoint photography and visualisation production processes.

Experience with renewable energy infrastructure and wind farm design software.

Experience working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects, including Development Consent Orders.

Involvement in examination, appeal, or public inquiry processes, potentially as an expert witness.

Experience with consultation and engagement.

Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI).

This position presents an exciting opportunity for an individual with a passion for landscape planning to work on impactful projects, contribute to a growing team, and play a role in shaping the future of landscapes across the UK.