Strategic Design Lead

Malvern Hills District Council; West Midlands Combined Authority; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is seeking a Strategic Design Lead to champion sustainable urban design. You will manage a team, provide expert advice on strategic projects, and ensure high standards in design outcomes that reflect community needs. The role offers opportunities for professional development and a comprehensive benefits package, including a local government pension and generous annual leave.

Benefits

Excellent local government pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Training and development programme

Onsite nursery with staff discount

Discounted gym and swim membership

Health and wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in urban design or related field.
• Strong understanding of UK planning system and best practices.
• Experience advising on complex urban design projects.
• Ability to develop and apply urban design policy.
• Experience in local government.
• Effective within multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide urban design advice on strategic projects.
• Manage a small urban design team.
• Ensure high standards in design outcomes.
• Influence character and identity of developments.

Skills

Urban design principles

Communication skills

Collaboration

Leadership

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite

Technical tools: AutoCAD/SketchUp, GIS

Education

Postgraduate qualification in urban design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

AutoCAD

SketchUp

GIS

Job description

Job Introduction

Strategic Design Lead

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 Councils 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:

• Excellent local government pension scheme with employer contributions
• Generous annual leave entitlement, with options to purchase additional leave
• A committed training and development programme
• Onsite nursery with 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 discounts with 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: Sunday 7 September 2025

Interview date: Tuesday 16 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.

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