Head of Urban Design, Ecology and Conservation 

Permanent contract - 37 hours per week

£51,515 - £56,331 per annum  

We are looking for a new team member to help us lead the Urban Design, Ecology and Conservation functions in Malvern and Wychavon Districts. Malvern and Wychavon have an ambitious growth agenda and are some of the fastest growing Districts in the West Midlands with major growth proposals such as Worcestershire Parkway for 10,000 new homes and 50 hectares of employment land, Throckmorton for 5,000 new homes and an exciting brownfield regeneration agenda in key market towns such as Evesham and Droitwich. This new role will lead the Urban Design input into these major schemes whilst promoting the conservation of the significant historic assets in the districts and ambitious green and Biodiversity Net Gain agenda.  

This role will form a key part of the Planning and Infrastructure Management Team and will work closely with colleagues across the Council, including the Policy, Development Planning and Planning Management teams. The role also involves leading on the development and maintenance of key relationships with partners, including private sector developers, Members, Worcestershire County Council, and neighbouring authorities.  

This is an exciting opportunity where you can truly make a difference working on some of the largest development proposals in the region in a supportive environment and growing team. 

About you  

The successful candidate should have: 

• A recognised degree in Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, or a related environmental discipline. 
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institute (e.g., RTPI, RIBA, CMLI) 
• Sound knowledge of major legislative issues facing Local Government, particularly in the area of planning.
• Extensive experience of urban design and influencing the outcome of development  proposals to achieve high quality design outcomes.
• Extensive experience of supporting preparation of development briefs and Masterplans and promoting good design.
• Extensive experience of conservation and protecting and enhancing the historic environment. 
• Experience of protecting and enhancing access to the countryside. 
• Good computer literacy and be able to use MS Office, property databases and GIS systems.
• Outstanding customer care, strong computer skills and a commitment high standards of service delivery.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Clear ability to manage own workload and work under pressure.

You will be required to attend regular management team meetings, Planning Committee meetings, and Executive Board and public inquiries as required. You will also undertake site visits and attend occasional evening meetings so flexibility, a full driving licence and use of a car is essential to be able to travel throughout the district. 

What we can offer  

Our staff are at the heart of what we do, and as a result we are always looking to recruit, develop and retain the very best talent we can find.  So, as well as a rewarding career, we offer a range of attractive benefits, such as: 

• Excellent pension scheme with employer contributions 
• Generous annual leave entitlement with options to purchase additional annual leave 
• Committed training programme and development opportunities 
• Payment of one professional membership subscription e.g. RTPI 
• Onsite nursery with 20% staff discount 
• Discounted Gym and swim membership 
• Health and Wellbeing support and a Free Employee Assistance scheme including access to counselling services 
• Cycle to Work scheme 
• Employee Discounts with a range of companies including EE and the Kaarp discount scheme. 

We are an employer that supports agile working and values face to face communication, collaboration and connection, therefore all our roles have an office-based requirement as part of the role. 

To discuss the post or for further information, please call Ian Macleod, Director of Planning and Infrastructure, on 07823 535035.  

Closing date: 1 September 2024 

Interview date: 13 September 2024  

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