London, UK
Senior urban design officer
at Hackney Council
The London borough of Hackney is seeking a senior urban design officer to join its team in London.
Language: UK
Company: Hackney Council
Job location: Hackney
Region: London
Country: United Kingdom
Organisation: Hackney Council anonymous apps – climate, homes and economy
Job number: HCAA01079
Service: planning and regulatory services
DBS required: no
Salary range: £44,364-£46,392
Agreement type: fixed term/secondment
Work pattern: full-time
Contracted hours: 36
Grade: PO4
Contract type: one year fixed term contract/secondment opportunity
Hackney Council is looking for a senior urban designer to join a multidisciplinary team of experts in architecture, urban design, conservation, sustainability, landscape and arboriculture. The successful candidate will participate in all aspects of the team’s work programme in relation to urban design and will lead on key strategic projects such as the development of place strategies and input into major planning applications.
Hackney is a vibrant and diverse borough with a dense and complex built environment and we are committed to promoting sustainable development and high quality design for the benefit of Hackney’s communities. Hackney’s planning has a successful track record in the delivery of design excellence, with various award winning projects such as the child friendly places SPD, Kings Crescent, Colville Estate and more recently Hackney primary school to name a few.
We are looking for someone with enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to ensure that new development in the borough is designed to meet the highest design standards, to respect Hackney’s historic environment and to support our climate change mitigation objectives.
With a thorough understanding of urban design principles, policy and practice, you will have excellent negotiation skills and the ability to present ideas and proposals clearly and effectively, with experience of providing urban design advice to officers, councillors, developers and members of the public. You will actively participate in guidance and policy making and negotiate positive design changes as part of the development management process. In particular, you will lead on the development of place strategies through area action plans, supplementary planning documents and masterplans. You will also have a leading role on technical responses to pre-application and planning application submissions, negotiating with developers with an awareness of the competing pressures that inevitably shape development in London.
We are looking for someone with an analytical approach to their work who has excellent communication, research, spatial and problem solving skills. Candidates must be proficient in computer based design and mapping tools such as GIS, CAD, InDesign, VuCity and SketchUp. Strong project management skills and an understanding of performance management techniques are also essential. You will have a relevant post-graduate qualification, eligibility for membership of a relevant professional body and ideally experience of working in a similar role in a local planning authority context.
This post is linked to the delivery of exciting strategic projects and the contract would be for an initial period of one year from early 2023.
There is no better place to work in London than Hackney; we have great pride in our borough, our communities, and our services. Hackney is one of London’s most vibrant and diverse boroughs. It’s one of the most sought after areas to live in London with good schools, parks and local amenities, as well as great transport links and vibrant and diverse communities.
If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.
The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.
When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.
This application process replaces a supporting statement.
Closing date for applications: 23 October 2022
Interview date: 02 and 03 November 2022
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: proud; ambitious; pioneering; open; proactive; inclusive.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, age and marital status. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team here to find out what support is available.