Architect | Residential Planning

Verto People, Ltd.; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Architecture Studio offers an exciting opportunity for a Lead Architect / Urban Designer to join their team in Chelmsford. This role involves collaborative project work in urban design, stakeholder engagement, and developing innovative planning solutions. With a legacy of nearly a century in various sectors, the studio emphasizes integrity, creativity, and partnership.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years post qualification experience in urban design and master planning projects.
• Experience managing teams of 3-4 people.
• Strong software skills in relevant design programs.

Responsibilities

• Support urban regeneration and master planning projects from concept to planning.
• Conduct site research, mapping, and feasibility studies.
• Engage stakeholders through consultations and presentations.

Skills

Management skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical drawing skills

Education

MA in Urban Design

RIBA qualified

Tools

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Cloud

MS Office

Job description

Lead Architect / Urban Designer

Salary: £50k

Location: Chelmsford

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm (in office)

A fantastic opportunity to work for a leading Architecture Studio with a legacy stretching back nearly a century, this practice brings deep expertise across residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, education, and civic sectors. Known for blending creative flair with practical, buildable solutions, they consistently deliver distinctive, high-quality environments that stand the test of time. With a client-first mindset, they build long-term partnerships through integrity, passion, and design excellence—making them the go-to team for ambitious, design-led developments.

This role is perfect for a Lead Architect / Urban Designer looking for their next career move.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborative Project Work: Support multi-disciplinary teams on urban regeneration, master planning, and urban extensions from concept to planning stages.

• Research & Analysis: Conduct site research, mapping, feasibility studies, and planning background analysis for current and prospective projects.

• Design-Led Approach: Develop creative, practical urban design solutions using best practices, contributing to high-quality, place-focused outcomes.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and communities through consultations, meetings, and presentations.

• Document & Report Production: Produce planning documentation including Design Codes, Access Statements, and Parameter Plans to support planning applications

Person Specification and key skills

• MA in Urban Design / RIBA qualified
• Minimum of 5 - 10 year’s post qualification experience working on medium to large-scale urban or suburban housing design and master planning projects
• Strong management skills - teams of 3/4 people
• Confidence in employing a range of hand drawn and technical drawing skills to a high level
• Client and team focused - Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build and maintain strong collaborative internal and external working relationships
• The ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, and to demonstrate competency in presenting ideas and concepts
• Strong software knowledge and skills - AutoCAD, Revit (not essential), Sketch Up, Adobe Creative Cloud (including but not limited to Photoshop, InDesign) and MS Office required