Strategic Design Lead

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Pershore; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking an experienced Strategic Design Lead to guide the creation of high-quality, sustainable places in the district. This role involves providing urban design advice on important projects, managing a small team, and ensuring high standards in design outcomes. Ideal candidates will possess a postgraduate qualification in urban design and strong leadership skills. The position includes a generous salary and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Excellent local government pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Onsite nursery with staff discount

Discounted gym and swim membership

Health and wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the UK planning system and urban design principles.
• Extensive experience providing urban design advice on strategic sites.
• Proven ability to work effectively within multi-disciplinary project teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of strategic sites and influence new development characteristics.
• Provide expert urban design advice across a range of strategic projects.
• Manage a small team and set direction for design outcomes.

Skills

Urban design

Leadership

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Postgraduate qualification in urban design or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

AutoCAD

SketchUp

GIS

Job description

Strategic DesignLead

Permanent - 37 hours per week

£49,282 – £53,460 per annum

Wychavon District Council is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Strategic Design Lead to champion the creation of high-quality, sustainable, and distinctive places across the district.This is a unique opportunity to shape how our communities grow by leading the design of strategic sites and influencing the character, identity, and functionality of new development through thoughtful, place-led planning.

In this role, you will provide expert urban design advice across a range of strategic projects, including masterplans, development briefs, and design policy.As the Council’s strategic lead, you will manage a small team, set direction, and ensure consistently high standards in design outcomes.Your work will help deliver well-connected, resilient environments that reflect local distinctiveness and meet the needs of current and future communities.

About you

The successful candidate will have:

• A postgraduate qualification in urban design or a related field (e.g. architecture, planning, built environment).
• A strong understanding of the UK planning system, development management, and urban design principles and best practice.
• Extensive experience providing urban design advice on strategic sites and complex projects in both urban and rural contexts.
• Demonstrable ability to develop and apply urban design policy and guidance, including masterplans, concept diagrams, design codes, and development briefs.
• Experience working within local government and navigating political contexts.
• Proven ability to work effectively within multi-disciplinary project teams and resolve issues collaboratively.
• Leadership experience, including managing and prioritising the work of an urban design team.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey ideas graphically.
• Proficiency in design and technical tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD/SketchUp, and GIS.

The Councils are keen to support with the development of its employees and therefore will help with training requirements which are needed for the role. This may also include support towards obtaining recognised qualifications relevant to the post.

You will need to be able to travel throughout the districts.

What We Offer

Our staff are at the heart of what we do. In addition to a rewarding career, we offer a range of attractive benefits:

• Excellentlocal government pension schemewith employer contributions
• Generousannual leave entitlement, with options to purchase additional leave
• A committed training and development programme
• Onsite nurserywith 20% staff discount
• Discounted gym and swim membership
• Health and wellbeing support, including a free Employee Assistance Programme with access to counselling
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee discountswith a range of companies, including EE and the Kaarp discount scheme

We value face-to-face communication, collaboration, and connection. Our roles have an office-based requirement, with some agile working.

To discuss the post or for further information, please call Rebecca L Hart on [phone]

Closing date:Sunday7 September 2025

Interview date:Tuesday16 September 2025

Please note if we experience a high intake of applications, we may close the role and interview for the position sooner than advertised.

Attached documents
Employee Benefits
Job Description