Placemaking Manager

GreenJobs Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental organization in Greater London is seeking a strategic placemaking practitioner. The role focuses on enhancing public spaces through collaborative urban improvements, engaging with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have experience in managing public realm projects and demonstrate strong project management capabilities. This opportunity offers a dynamic work environment and a chance to make a tangible impact in local communities.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering place, public realm or streetscape projects.
• Strong project management skills and design judgement.
• Ability to thrive in a small, innovative organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of placemaking and public realm projects.
• Drive capital and non-capital interventions.
• Develop evidence-based proposals for nature and climate initiatives.
• Build partnerships with local stakeholders.

Skills

Project management capability

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic development

Understanding of public realm policy

Experience with statutory processes

Job description

Role Overview

A strategic placemaking position focused on shaping vibrant, sustainable and people‑centred neighbourhoods. The role leads public realm improvements, cultural activations, and nature‑based interventions that strengthen local identity, support economic vitality and enhance wellbeing. Working within a small, fast‑paced organisation, the postholder collaborates with partners across public, private and community sectors to deliver high‑impact projects across streets, open spaces and under‑used urban assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of placemaking, public realm and greening projects, from concept and brief development to procurement, contract administration and completion.
• Drive a pipeline of capital and non‑capital interventions, including small‑scale enhancements, cultural installations and public art commissions.
• Develop evidence‑based proposals and investment cases for nature, biodiversity and climate‑positive initiatives.
• Maintain and manage a live database of potential public realm and environmental improvements, ensuring prioritisation aligned to organisational strategy.
• Support the effective management and activation of organisation‑owned or managed assets, with a focus on long‑term cultural and community use.
• Build productive partnerships with local authorities, landowners, cultural institutions, transport bodies and funders to co‑design and co‑deliver projects.
• Contribute to funding bids, business cases and grant applications to unlock external investment.
• Work closely with communications colleagues to share project outcomes, promote activity and highlight the organisation’s placemaking impact.
• Represent the organisation in stakeholder forums and collaborative workstreams.
• Support organisational insight through improved data gathering, monitoring and reporting.
• Line‑manage an operational staff member responsible for on‑the‑ground greening and maintenance.

Candidate Profile

A creative and pragmatic placemaking practitioner with a track record of delivering public realm projects and collaborative urban improvements. Brings strong project management capability, good design judgement, and confidence working with a range of stakeholders. Thrives in a small, innovative organisation where flexibility, partnership working and hands‑on delivery are central.

Key Skills & Experience

• Experience delivering place, public realm or streetscape projects using recognised project management tools and processes.
• Ability to identify opportunities and convert ideas into practical, funded projects.
• Skilled in developing strategies, action plans or research that inform decision making and programme development.
• Proven partnership experience across public and private sectors, with the ability to secure buy‑in, influence delivery and support co‑funding.
• Experience preparing briefs, managing consultants, and overseeing capital or environmental works.
• Understanding of policy areas relevant to public realm delivery, including active travel, sustainability, safety, inclusion, arts and culture.
• Familiarity with statutory consents processes such as planning, highways licences or related permissions.
• Experience contributing to business planning and aligning annual priorities with longer‑term strategic objectives.
• Experience managing staff or supporting others’ development.