Landscape Architect

Ground Control; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension support

Career development

Hybrid working

Private wellbeing support

Volunteer days

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Ground Control is seeking a Landscape Architect to join our Design Studio within the Landscaping, Design and Energy division. You’ll lead SuDS and landscape design from feasibility through planning to handover, collaborating with clients and authorities to secure approvals.

You’ll contribute to a growing pipeline across education, infrastructure and public realm, mentoring graduates and maintaining high technical standards while delivering sustainable, resilient landscapes.

Qualifications

• A degree in Landscape Architecture or a related discipline.
• Strong landscape design skills with creative, practical and technically sound solutions.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or Vectorworks, alongside Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent design software.
• Strong technical writing skills for clear, concise planning/reports.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of landscape architecture and SuDS design on projects from feasibility to handover.
• Produce high-quality drawings, design reports, planning statements and supporting docs.
• Undertake site visits and landscape appraisals to inform design development.
• Build proactive relationships with clients and Ground Control teams.
• Liaise with clients, LPAs and Lead Local Flood Authorities with clear technical communication.
• Prepare landscape fee proposals and contribute to tenders and BD activities.
• Coordinate planning consents and multidisciplinary inputs.
• Manage design deliverables, programmes and priorities for timely delivery.
• Contribute technical content to proposals and future work.
• Support and mentor Graduate Landscape Architects to maintain high standards.

Skills

Landscape Architecture

Client Liaison

Project Coordination

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Adobe Creative Suite

Sustainable design

SuDS

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Landscape Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Location: Manchester or Billericay / Hybrid

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Shape landscapes. Design sustainable solutions. Make a lasting impact.

You're a Landscape Architect who takes pride in creating thoughtful, technically robust designs that respond to real-world challenges. You enjoy combining creativity with technical expertise, building strong client relationships and seeing your designs progress from initial concepts through to delivery on site. You're looking for a role where you can take ownership of projects, develop your expertise and contribute to a growing design practice.

We're looking for a Landscape Architect to join Ground Control's growing Design Studio within our Landscaping, Design and Energy (LDE) division. Following a number of significant project and framework wins, you'll contribute to an expanding pipeline of work across SuDS design, flood resilience, landscape planning, infrastructure, education and public realm projects.

Design solutions that make a difference

You'll work on projects that improve places, support sustainable drainage and contribute to flood resilience. From education and infrastructure to public realm environments, your designs will help create spaces that are functional, resilient and better for the communities that use them.

Take ownership and see projects through

You'll have the opportunity to lead landscape and SuDS design across individual projects, from feasibility and planning through to handover. You'll be trusted to work through design constraints, develop practical solutions and maintain high standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Work across a growing range of projects

Following significant project and framework wins, our Design Studio is continuing to grow. You'll gain exposure to a varied pipeline of work across different sectors, project stages and technical disciplines, giving you the opportunity to broaden your experience and develop your specialisms.

Build strong client relationships

You'll work directly with clients, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), Lead Local Flood Authorities and colleagues across construction and professional services. Your ability to communicate technical information clearly and confidently will help build trust, secure approvals and keep projects moving.

Develop Your Career And Professional Qualifications

You'll join a supportive, entrepreneurial team that encourages learning, collaboration and professional development. With training, coaching and mentoring opportunities, including support towards CMLI chartership, you'll have the opportunity to strengthen your technical expertise and progress towards future technical leadership.

What You'll Do

• Take ownership of landscape architecture and SuDS design on individual projects, from feasibility and concept development through planning to handover.
• Produce high-quality technical drawings, design reports, planning statements and supporting documentation that meet client requirements and withstand planning and technical scrutiny.
• Undertake site visits and landscape appraisals to inform design development and identify project opportunities and constraints.
• Build proactive relationships with clients and colleagues across Ground Control's construction and professional services teams.
• Liaise directly with clients, Local Planning Authorities and Lead Local Flood Authorities, communicating technical information clearly and confidently.
• Prepare landscape fee proposals and contribute to tender submissions, bids and wider business development activities.
• Coordinate planning consents, planning conditions and multidisciplinary input from ecology, drainage, structural and other technical specialists.
• Manage design deliverables, programmes and competing priorities to support the successful and timely delivery of projects.
• Contribute technical content, case studies and design expertise to support proposals and help secure future work.
• Support and mentor Graduate Landscape Architects, sharing knowledge and helping to maintain high standards as the team grows.
• Maintain high standards of technical quality and ensure all work complies with Ground Control's HSQE policies and procedures.

What We're Looking For

• A degree in Landscape Architecture or a related discipline.
• Strong landscape design skills, with the ability to develop creative, practical and technically sound design solutions.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or Vectorworks, alongside Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent design software.
• Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise and evidence-based reports for planning and technical review.
• Confident client liaison skills, with the ability to represent Ground Control professionally when working with clients and local authorities.
• Good organisational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage deadlines and multiple workstreams.
• A collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset and the confidence to take ownership of design challenges.
• A genuine interest in landscape architecture, sustainable design, SuDS and flood resilience.
• A commitment to quality, continuous development and maintaining high HSQE standards.

Desirable

• Actively working towards chartership.
• Ability to hand sketch.
• Experience delivering SuDS design, flood alleviation or flood resilience schemes.
• Knowledge of GIS, SketchUp, Vectorworks and/or Revit.
• Good plant knowledge, including commonly used trees, shrubs and hardy perennials, with an interest in continuing to develop horticultural knowledge.
• Experience preparing planning and technical drawings for hard landscaping, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIAs) and feasibility studies.
• Experience working on public sector frameworks or projects within infrastructure, education and public realm environments.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary projects, including budgeting, programming and managing technical inputs.
• An understanding of planning processes, statutory consents and the coordination of planning conditions.
• Experience contributing to fee proposals, tender submissions and business development activities.

Why Ground Control?

At Ground Control, we're proud of the work we do. Our teams improve environments, support critical infrastructure and contribute to a more sustainable future. Through our Landscape, Design and Energy division, we bring together design expertise and practical delivery to create lasting value for our clients and the communities we serve.

As a Landscape Architect, you'll help turn ideas into deliverable designs across a diverse range of projects. From sustainable drainage and flood resilience to education, infrastructure and public realm schemes, you'll have the opportunity to influence projects from the earliest stages through to delivery on site.

You'll join a growing Design Studio with an expanding pipeline of work, where collaboration, technical quality and fresh ideas are valued. We want you to take ownership, develop your expertise and contribute to the continued success of the team.

We're an Investors in People Gold Standard company and are committed to helping our colleagues reach their full potential. Whether you're developing your technical specialism, working towards chartership or building the experience needed for future leadership opportunities, we'll support you in taking the next step in your career.

If you're looking for a role where creativity, technical excellence, sustainability and professional development come together, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Competitive salary – We offer a salary that reflects your skills, experience and contribution to the business.
• Life insurance and pension support – Helping you plan for the future with confidence.
• Grow your career – Access training, development, coaching and mentoring opportunities, with support towards professional qualifications and chartership.
• More flexibility with your time – Our hybrid working approach allows you to split your time between home, our Billericay or Manchester office, and project sites. Our Holiday Buy Scheme also allows you to purchase additional annual leave when you need it.
• Support for your wellbeing – Access a Private GP service, Bupa employee support, annual flu vaccinations and the Calm wellbeing app.
• Make a difference beyond work – Enjoy two personal-choice volunteering days each year and match-funded fundraising opportunities.
• Support sustainable initiatives – We invest 5% of our profits into our Evergreen Fund and are committed to planting one million trees, transitioning to an electric fleet and achieving carbon neutrality.
• Travel and lifestyle benefits – Access Cycle to Work schemes and travel loan support.
• Recognition for great work – Our recognition programmes celebrate colleagues who make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, or ethnic origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic as defined in the Equality Act 2010.

We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and across all stages of employment, including training, development, promotion, pay, and termination. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees, and to creating a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, or victimisation.

We expect all colleagues to uphold our values of dignity, respect, and inclusion. We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discriminatory behaviour and are committed to continuous improvement through training, inclusive policies, and accountability at all levels. #LDE