Principal Landscape Architect

AECOM; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Principal Landscape Architect to join and grow our Landscape Architecture team in the UK. You will lead high‑profile regional and global projects across urban regeneration, development, and environmental schemes, mentoring a team and delivering sustainable, design‑led solutions.

We value Chartered LI membership (CMLI) and a strong track record in public realm schemes, with proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Office tools; a driving licence is required for site

Qualifications

• Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI) with at least three years post‑qualification experience.
• Proven track record of designing public realm schemes and managing complex multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Thorough knowledge of the UK planning system relevant to landscape architecture.
• Experience in project management, including financial control, reporting, and programme management.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Microsoft Office Suite; Revit and/or Civil 3D desirable.
• Strong communication skills and English fluency; Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design and delivery of landscape schemes.
• Project management, including financial, and programme responsibilities.
• Be client facing, presenting design concepts, and representing AECOM’s design vision.
• Mentor and develop junior staff and act as a professional mentor and line manager.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, stakeholders, and collaborators.

Skills

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Cloud

Microsoft Office

Revit

Civil 3D

English proficiency

UK driving licence

Education

Landscape Institute accredited degree

CMLI

Tools

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Cloud

Microsoft Office

Revit

Civil 3D

Job description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking Principal Landscape Architects to join and support the growth of our Landscape Architecture team. As part of one of the UK&I’s largest and most diverse landscape practices, you will undertake high-profile regional and global projects across various sectors including urban regeneration, residential development, environmental enhancement schemes, and airports. Our portfolio includes collaborations with local authorities, private clients, and global developers, delivering innovative and sustainable design solutions that support progress towards net zero and create environmental and social benefits.

This role offers the opportunity to deliver transformative projects, mentor a talented team, and contribute to AECOM’s reputation for design excellence. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration, this position is ideal for a self‑motivated individual seeking to advance their career in a dynamic and experienced team.

About AECOM’s Landscape Architecture Team

Our Landscape Architecture team is renowned for design excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration. We work across all design stages, blending strengths in design, planning and management to deliver imaginative solutions that enhance communities and environments. Recent projects include public realm, active travel, resorts, and new neighbourhoods that shape cities and regions.

Why Join AECOM?

Freedom to Grow: Take control of your working life with flexible options, including hybrid working and part‑time hours. Work the hours that suit you.

Career Development: Help shape landscape design at AECOM with opportunities for mentoring, leadership, and professional growth.

Inclusive Culture: AECOM supports diversity and competitive life‑style benefits.

Job Responsibilities

Project Involvement:

• Oversee the design and delivery of landscape schemes.
• Project management, including financial, and programme responsibilities.
• Be client facing, presenting design concepts, and represent AECOM’s design vision.

Team Development:

• Share knowledge and support culture of continuous growth and development.
• Mentor and develop junior staff, including acting as a professional mentor and line manager.

Client Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and collaborators.
• Seek new work through proactive client engagement and business development.

Technical Excellence:

• Prepare and develop designs through all stages of development from initial feasibility through to production of construction information.
• Administer contracts (e.g., JCLI) to ensure high‑quality project delivery.
• Produce and/or oversee the production of reports, drawings, and other technical documentation with the necessary level of detail for the various stages of development, using appropriate software.

Collaboration:

• Work iteratively within multidisciplinary teams to deliver cohesive and integrated design solutions.

Minimum Requirements

Experience:

• Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI) with at least three years post‑qualification experience.
• Proven track record of designing public realm schemes and managing complex multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Thorough knowledge of the UK planning system relevant to landscape architecture.
• Experience in project management, including financial control, reporting, and programme management.

Qualifications

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Revit and/or Civil 3D is highly desirable.
• Skilled in preparing clear graphics, technical reports, and construction documentation.
• Strong communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English.
• Full UK driving licence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Landscape Institute accredited Bachelor’s degree, Diploma, and/or Master’s degree.
• Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI).

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in‑person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public‑and‑private‑sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry‑leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.