About the role
BDP has an opportunity for an experienced Urban Designer to join our Urbanism Group in the North of England, working across our Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool Studios. Your main studio base would be Manchester.
This is a key appointment to support the wider Urbanism team (comprising Town Planners, Landscape Architects and Urban Designers) and will suit someone with an established track record of working on and delivering master planning and regeneration projects in the UK.
You will also work closely with BDP architects, engineers and other consultants who work with BDP to deliver our commissions for both public and private sector clients.
About you
You will ideally have a specific qualification in urban design, although applicants who are qualified in urban planning, architecture or landscape architecture may also be considered, subject to being able to demonstrate strong urban design skills.
You will have relevant experience, technical skills, leadership qualities and be a confident networker, with a strong focus on business development and work winning.
Working in the Urbanism team, you will contribute to a wide range of urban design solutions; from single sites to whole districts, in existing and proposed urban areas, across the UK. There may also be opportunities to work on urban design projects outside the UK, in collaboration with BDP’s international network of design studios.
Responsibilities & Duties
General
- Support the Urban Design team and wider Urbanism team.
- Work in close collaboration with other professions.
- Have an awareness and overview of the full design and delivery process, recognising the need for deliverable design solutions and high quality final products.
- Keep up to date with developments in the industry.
- Have a keen interest in urban development, design, and planning.
Technical
- Work closely with planners, architects, landscape architects and engineers particularly at the early project stages, continually looking for creative and innovative urban design solutions, ensuring that the company adds to its reputation for excellence in Creating Places for People.
- Have the skill to convert conceptual ideas into developed masterplan proposals within the context of financial and programme parameters.
- Maintain and develop exceptional skills in appropriate visualisation techniques.
- Good 3D and drawings skills along with proficiency in use of all Adobe Creative Suite programmes.
- Be able to produce high quality written material and project reports.
Qualifications and Experience
The position requires a degree-level qualification in urban design, planning, architecture or landscape architecture. You will have relevant experience, preferably from a commercial organisation.
Typical aspects of experience should include:
- Urban design analysis;
- Urban design frameworks and masterplans, covering a range of development scales and land uses;
- Preparation of regeneration strategies for neighbourhoods, towns and cities;
- Production of Urban Design Guides, Codes and Policies;
- Stakeholder and community engagement in urban design
Skills
- Excellent understanding of urban design issues.
- Well-developed graphic skills.
- Ability to work under pressure whilst monitoring goals and communicating with the team.
- An ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team environment and a flexible approach.
- Good communication skills with the ability to articulate and pitch ideas both verbally and in written form.
- Strong networking and client skills, with ability to secure new work
About us
BDP is a continuous collective of architects, engineers, designers and urbanists. We design at every scale from city masterplans, neighbourhoods, parks, streets and buildings to specialist, bespoke light and acoustic installations.
We are place makers who work at every stage of the design process from visioning to briefing to design, delivery, and operation. We respond to the demands of our dynamic and ever-changing planet with cross-discipline design thinking that spans all of life’s activities, protects the environment and enhances social value.
Harnessing our collective ethos, the spirit of BDP is about making places for people. Our structure and governance as a global network of federated city studios creates design hubs that are connected to the cities, regions, and communities they serve.
As part of the Nippon Koei Group, we fuse our passion for architecture and engineering with user-centred design and large scale infrastructure projects to deliver world-class solutions for better, more prosperous places.
BDP offers:
BDP offers an attractive remuneration and benefits package; combined with a positive working environment and a healthy attitude to work-life balance.
BDP's remuneration package includes:
- Flexible Pension Allowance
- Private Medical Insurance
- All Employee Profit Share
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Income Protection/Prolonged Disability Insurance
- Buying Additional Holidays (winter and summer windows) on top of 32 days
- Contribution towards Professional Subscriptions
- BUPA Health Screening
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Give as You Earn
- SMART Drive and Cycle
- Season Ticket Loans
- Retail Discounts
To apply
To apply for the role please click on the ‘Apply’ button below the vacancy. You will then need to complete the online application form and attach an up-to-date CV with a cover letter (<400 words) outlining how your skills and experience match the requirements for the above job description. Please include a portfolio with samples of your work, with also an indication of your salary expectations and availability.
Your application will then be passed onto our recruiting directors for review. If successful, you will be notified by our system inviting to an interview, either being held in person or via Microsoft Teams.
BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly.
BDP is an equal opportunities employer.
No agency or third party applications will be accepted.