Graduate Urban Designer - Community Development - 2027 (Manchester)

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Holiday buy/sell

Group income protection

Life assurance

Job summary

Stantec invites applications for a Graduate Urban Designer in Manchester as part of our 2027 Graduate Programme. You will join a small team of urban design professionals and collaborate with architects, landscape architects and planners to shape sustainable, high-quality places from day one.

With mentorship from Senior Designers and Directors, you’ll gain hands-on project experience across feasibility, masterplanning, detailed design and delivery, contributing to a diverse portfolio of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Urban Design required.
• Graduate entry encouraged for RTPI/LI/RIBA charterships.
• Strong collaboration and design communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support residential-led placemaking projects across the North of England and wider UK.
• Assist with masterplans, vision documents and design-led outputs.
• Contribute to Design and Access Statements and planning documentation.
• Develop design codes and place-based design guidance.
• Support Senior/Associate Urban Designers across project stages and scales.

Skills

Adapter

Perseverer

Eager Learner

Collaborator

Problem-Solver

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Design

Job description

With every community, Stantec redefines what’s possible.

Application Deadline: Recruitment is ongoing. Please apply as soon as possible as the advert may close once we have sufficient applicants.

The Opportunity

Join our 2027 Graduate Programme as a Graduate Urban Designer in our Manchester office, where you'll be part of a market-leading Community Development discipline.

As a Graduate Urban Designer, you'll join a team of 4 urban design professionalsbased primarily in Manchester, working on a diverse range of projects that help shape sustainable, high-quality places. Supported by experienced Senior Urban Designers, Associates and Directors, you'll develop your technical and creative skills while gaining hands‑on project experience. You'll also collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of Architects, Landscape Architects and Planners, giving you exposure to different perspectives and the opportunity to contribute to innovative design solutions from day one.

You'll have the opportunity to contribute to a diverse portfolio of residential and mixed‑use developments, including urban extensions, new settlements and regeneration projects. Working across a range of project stages, you'll gain valuable experience from early‑stage feasibility and visioning through to masterplanning, detailed design and project delivery, developing a broad understanding of the urban design process.

About The Role

Day-to-day, you'll:

• Support the delivery of residential‑led placemaking projects across the North of England and wider UK, helping to guide schemes through the planning process.
• Assist with the preparation of masterplans, vision documents and other design‑led project outputs.
• Contribute to the production of Design and Access Statements and related planning documentation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop design codes and place‑based design guidance.
• Support Senior and Associate Urban Designers in the delivery of projects, gaining hands‑on experience across a variety of project stages and scales.

We are committed to supporting employees in achieving relevant professional qualifications and accreditation. The applicable professional qualification for this role is with the RTPI, LI or RIBA charterships.

Your Impact

This role will help deliver sustainable, resilient infrastructure and community developments that create lasting benefits for people, places and the environment. Working across a range of projects, you will support the planning, design and delivery of infrastructure solutions that enhance communities, promote sustainable growth and improve quality of life. Your work will contribute to addressing key challenges such as climate resilience, resource efficiency and environmental stewardship, helping clients deliver innovative, future‑ready solutions that meet the needs of both local communities and wider society.

About You

At Stantec, we value your potential over past experience. Along with your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Design, we’d love to receive your application if you are:-

• An Adapter - You’re able to remain calm in new and changing situations, comfortably switching between a variety of dynamic and exciting tasks.
• A Perseverer - You stay composed in the face of setbacks, approaching challenges with confidence and determination.
• An Eager Learner - You learn from your experiences and the world around you, using this knowledge to anticipate how situations may unfold.
• A Collaborator - You work effectively with lots of different people, considering others’ perspectives to shape better outcomes.
• A Problem‑Solver - You love to give your thoughts based on what you see, being unafraid to challenge conventional thinking.

Please note, we ask our graduates to come into the office 4 days per week, to ensure that you receive sufficient time with your team and receive the appropriate level of support.

Applicants must have an unconditional right to live and work in the UK for an indefinite period without limitation.

Why Join Us?

What we can offer you:

• A competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• A range of benefits, including holiday buy and sell, group income protection and life assurance
• Permanent employment contract to demonstrate our commitment to your long‑term career at Stantec
• Professional progression plan, supporting you to gain professional chartership
• A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups)

#StantecNextGen #StantecCareers #UKGraduate

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world‑class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] we will talk to you about how we can support you.