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LDA Design is seeking a Content Maker to join its communications team.

Our digital channels have grown in spread and influence, and we want to create more conversations and build communities working together for change. 

You will also help us to tell our story in fresh ways, to respond quickly to the issues that concern us, and engage in growing debate and campaigns about how to shape the world for the better.

This role requires someone passionate and knowledgeable about social media, new trends and engaging digital content creation, as well as how we can create better places for people and for the planet. We would like a quick learner with some knowledge of the road to net zero, climate solutions and sustainable design.

We are looking for an excellent writer with an eye for design, strategy, and branded content. You will help to develop exciting digital content for use across our social media channels and develop and maintain a plan for continuous improvement of our website content.

You will help us to raise our media profile and win awards.

Digital vitality – find, create and post timely content for all platforms and develop content plans for each, including video and podcasts, which reflects the breadth of our offer
Technical expertise – bring and keep abreast of best practice, trends and emerging technologies.
Studio liaison – support our eight studios in generating engaging content, reflecting the diversity of employee owner voices
New platforms – help us to explore new platforms and technologies and use our existing platforms to further broaden our reach and impact.
Digital champion – support colleagues in thinking about how to use digital in their work, to help share the benefits from our projects.
Digital strategy – help to plan and advise, including taking the website to the next stage.

Communications, media and marketing
As a flexible and talented all-rounder, you will provide support within the small communications  team as required eg writing and issuing award submissions, press releases, reports and case studies.

Person specification

• A talented writer with excellent copywriting and editing skills and journalistic enquiry, experienced in producing content for and curating social platforms and websites
• Experience of developing strategies for activism and for messaging, brand and editorial tone
• Socially and environmentally alert, sharing LDA Design’s values and bringing a strong appetite to shape the world for the better
• Insight into built environment issues
• Good mentor and collaborator to encourage wider engagement with socials within LDA Design
• A motivated self-starter able to find the story and develop it.
• Sound political and business judgement
• Strong technical experience and software knowledge across all social media platforms, and video editing software.
• Confident using InDesign and Photoshop and website content management systems. Able to create illustrations and engaging visuals
• Excellent knowledge of SEO and content optimisation
• Well organised and meticulous with the ability to manage photo and video shoots.

Our hiring process for this role

We’ve designed this process so that the focus is on your qualities and ability to excel in this role and your interest in working at LDA Design. We aren’t reviewing CVs or educational backgrounds for this position. We just want to make sure you have the skills to do the job well.

Initial questions will be marked against set criteria and to remove potential bias, the assessing team won’t know names until the interview stage.

Our questions (Deadline Wednesday 20 December, 10am)

To help us to get to know you, we’ve come up with a few simple questions which shouldn’t take too long. You will also have the opportunity to upload examples of your work. These will be scored anonymously and your email address, for instance, will not be shared until the selection process for this stage has been completed. Successful candidates will be invited for interview.

Here’s our questions. Please stay within the word count …

• Describe the work you have done that equips you for this role (300 words max)
• Share with us up to three samples of your recent campaigns or social media posts [no more than 3MBs each – please remove any identifying elements]
• Now tell us about the impacts they had [350 words max]
• Share with us an example of your best writing
• Tell us what you like about it and the impact it had [200 words max]
• Describe a topical issue within the Built Environment industry and why it interests you [350 words max]
• What do you like most about the idea of working for LDA Design [250 words max]

Upload your answers here. 

First interview (Thursday 11 January 2024)

This will be a short online interview with set questions and lasting around half an hour.

Second interview (Thursday 18 January 2024)

This will be an in-person interview in our London studio. You will be asked to complete a task ahead of this interview.

By the end of January, we hope to have been in touch with all candidates and our chosen candidate will have received an offer of appointment with a February/March start date, depending on period of notice needed.

For this role, we are not accepting applications outside of this online form. If you have any questions or problems submitting your answers, please email recruitment@lda-design.co.uk. We’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

We are open to considering flexible working and are especially keen to receive applications from under-represented groups. Our communications team is based in our London studio.

Term: permanent position
Hours: full-time
Salary: £32 – £38,000 pa
Start date: February/March 2024

LDA Design has established a reputation for providing creative leadership on the UK’s most exciting large-scale infrastructure projects, ranging from nationally significant transport infrastructure and renewable energy development to much needed reservoirs. Our success in this area, built over the last two decades, enables us to grow and strengthen our team.

We are looking for talented and motivated professionals from Associates to Project Consultants, who can lead and support the planning and design of complex infrastructure projects with expertise and experience across pre-planning, post planning and pre-delivery stages.

You will share our values and have a passion for context-led design, applying strong leadership alongside creative landscape-scale thinking. This will be underpinned by an understanding of a range of social, environmental, and economic drivers, and appreciation of the strength of landscape, and ecosystem services in driving sustainable development outcomes.

The number of years you have worked is less important to us than a creative and collaborative approach to infrastructure planning and design. If you are in, or looking to move into a senior role, you will have a thorough knowledge of the consenting regimes, demonstrate an ability to lead/ coordinate large multi-disciplinary teams, and have experience of generating new work through both successful tendering and forming effective relationships by dedicated networking and business development.

You would join a successful, supportive team, predominantly based in our studios in Oxford, Peterborough and Bristol and drawn from diverse, creative backgrounds. For your professional and career development, we support our employee owners through mentoring, helping you to achieve your personal goals.

This is a great time to join us. We are a 100% employee-owned practice with firm beliefs in the power of landscape and in the brilliance of the collective. Being employee-owned means everyone at LDA Design has a say in how the business is run and takes responsibility for its success.

We’re looking for:
• A background in and excitement for large scale infrastructure projects.
• Degree qualification (Landscape Architecture) and relevant professional accreditation (or working towards), and practical experience within a consultancy environment.
• An understanding of infrastructure planning, design and delivery and a knowledge of the relevant procedures and consenting regimes for NSIPs (DCO, DNS, Electricity Act and Town & Country Planning).
• Experience working within (and at a senior level leading/ coordinating) multi-disciplinary teams to engage positively in the collaborative, creative design process with a focus on outcomes.
• Experience of appraising issues, risks and opportunities to inform early project design development, pre-application engagement and consultation, preparing/ supporting Project Narratives and Design Principles, and applying Good Design throughout the process.
• Experience of engaging with key infrastructure planning stakeholders and consultees and representing clients in a variety of contexts including public meetings and consultation events.

If you are interested, please email recruitment@lda-design.co.uk your CV and a covering letter introducing who you are, why you do what you do, and why you want to join LDA Design, plus a list of recent projects and a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy notice.

We are open to considering flexible working and are especially keen to receive applications from under-represented groups.

If you use assistive technology and need any of the text on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch and tell us which format you need.

LDA Design is looking to recruit a studio manager for our Cambridge and Peterborough studios.

Our studio managers make sure stuff works well, from our award-winning projects to the day-to-day experience of our employee owners. We couldn’t do without them.

This role is a brilliant opportunity to be part of an employee-owned business and something special. You’ll become a key member of our Studio Manager team who work together to share ideas, support each other, and generally help LDA Design to keep getting better.

You will be a brilliant organiser, as well caring and empathetic, with ideally people management experience. You will also need to be financially literate as you’ll be leading fee meetings with our project teams. This means you’ll understand the financial performance of our projects and be confident to challenge or ask questions of the team around you.

You will support bids and the administration of our projects so that they are well set up and can be run successfully and profitably.

Our teams are hybrid, but the nature of this role means we’ll need you to have a presence in both studios each week.  

You will be:

• Flexible in your approach, eager to learn and make a difference.
• Confident to influence at all levels.
• Ideally have experience of InDesign, or ready to learn.
• Experienced in an office environment.
• Responsible for H&S and support the local implementation of ISO 9001 and EMS 14001

If you are interested, please email recruitment@lda-design.co.uk your CV and a covering letter with a brief introduction to who you are and why you do what you do, plus a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy notice.   

We are open to considering flexible working and are especially keen to receive applications from under-represented groups.

If you use assistive technology and need any of the text on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch and tell us which format you need. 

If you would like to find out more and discuss the roles available, please contact our Peterborough studio on 01733 310471. 

We are looking for a motivated and energetic studio assistant to join our Business Support team in LDA Design’s Exeter studio on the city’s historic quayside. As the first point of contact for clients and consultants, you will have a friendly manner and excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. 

This is a varied role, and no two days are the same. You will be responsible for welcoming visitors to the studio, supporting project teams with bid and project administration, coordinating travel arrangements and helping with events. You will also manage office supplies, maintain the office environment and provide general administration support.

Our studios are fast-paced environments, and we need someone in Exeter who is flexible and with excellent prioritisation and organisational skills. You’ll have an eye for what needs improving, a broad set of skills, and the resourcefulness to get things done.

You will need a good head for numbers and experience of using Microsoft packages including Outlook, Excel, Word. Knowledge of InDesign would be an advantage, but full training can be given.

This is a brilliant opportunity to be part of a wonderful team in a fantastic location. LDA Design’s Exeter studio occupies a warehouse on the quayside with views across the River Exe to the Haldon Hills. It is within striking distance of great beaches and countryside, including the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor.

The studio is a collaborative bunch, so it’s important you enjoy working in a team. You’ll also be part of our wider business support group who work together to share ideas and generally help us to keep getting better.

If you are interested, please email recruitment@lda-design.co.uk your CV and a covering letter with a brief introduction to who you are and why you do what you do, plus a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy notice.  

We are open to considering flexible working and are especially keen to receive applications from under-represented groups.

If you use assistive technology and need any of the text on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch and tell us which format you need.

We are looking for someone with excellent digital visualisation skills to join our talented team.

We are a 100% employee-owned practice, which signifies our belief in our people, culture and values. We are working on some of the UK’s most exciting projects, from nationally significant transport infrastructure and renewable energy to new settlements and urban regeneration. We have an excellent track record in visualisations that withstand the rigour of the appeal process.

You can expect to enjoy a varied role, in a friendly and supportive team. You will need to be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent 3D modelling skills
• Ability to prepare visualisations for different types of development from site verified mass modelling to photorealistic rendering using a variety of software applications
• Skills in document production using Adobe Creative Suite or similar
• Good communication skills and the ability to interact comfortably with people at all levels and across multiple disciplines

Strong capability with a variety of 2D and 3D modelling applications is essential, including Photoshop, 3ds Max (including V-Ray) and Revit.

Experience of using AutoCAD, Rhino, Sketchup and ArcGIS Pro is desirable but not essential.

You do not need a background in landscape architecture or urban design/ masterplanning.

This is a full-time post. However, please talk to us if you would like to work flexibly and we will also consider job share/part-time arrangements. Our landscape and visuals impact assessment (LVIA) visualisations team are predominantly in Oxford and Peterborough and they are splitting their time between home and studio. We are keen to receive applications from under-represented groups.

If you would like to discuss this role before applying, please contact Steve Dredge 01865 887050. 

Interested? Please email recruitment@lda-design.co.uk your CV and a covering letter introducing who you are, why you do what you do, and why you want to join LDA Design, plus your portfolio (no more than 5MB) and a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy notice.  

If you use assistive technology and need any of the text on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch and tell us which format you need.  

LDA Design is involved in the UK’s most significant and exciting developments, ranging from nationally significant energy and infrastructure projects through to new settlements, urban regeneration and the design of internationally recognised public spaces.

We are looking for someone with a special blend of skills to join our talented and motivated team.

You will have an excellent understanding of EIA requirements and experience of leading EIA projects as well as a good awareness of the planning system. You’ll be a team player, able to demonstrate excellent communication and organisational skills, and have the ability to develop strong relationships with colleagues, co-consultants and clients. It is advantageous if you have project management skills too. We will support you in the development of both your technical and professional skills.

You will be leading EIA projects as well as providing input into and authoring reports at all stages of the EIA process from EIA screening through to the preparation of Environmental Statements. There will also be opportunities to provide environmental leadership, assist our masterplanners and planners, on non-EIA projects. You’ll share LDA’s passion for context-led design and will be expected to apply your understanding of a range of social and environmental drivers to achieving well planned and designed developments at all scales.

Ideally, you will have a minimum of three to five years’ experience of working in a consultancy.

You will need:

• Experience of leading and coordinating EIA projects;
• Experience of working with clients and as part of multidisciplinary teams;
• Experience of managing sub-consultants; and
• Be able to use GIS, graphics software and/or AutoCAD – experience of using this software is desirable

This is a full-time post, however, please talk to us if you would like to work flexibly and we will also consider part-time applications.

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Rob Pile on 07734 961487.

If you are interested, please email your CV, a brief introduction to who you are and why you do what you do and a portfolio showcasing some of your best work (5MB max) to recruitment@lda-design.co.uk.

We are expanding our Planning Service, building on our excellent two-decade track record in nationally significant infrastructure projects and consenting of renewable energy schemes. We seek people who are values driven and approach the planning profession in a distinctive way that balances strong leadership with creative thinking. By seeing the bigger picture, we can solve problems and can ensure that what is deliverable is lasting and sustainable. There is an appetite for our approach and way of thinking, and our combination of skills. We are looking for the best minds to help us have a positive impact and deliver for our clients. 

We are looking for experienced infrastructure planners who can lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects through the NSIP, DNS and TCPA planning processes. The number of years you have worked is less important to us than a creative and collaborative approach to infrastructure planning, although you will likely have five-eight years of post-chartership experience. Ideally, you will have experience of generating new work through both successful tendering and forming effective relationships by dedicated networking and business development. For us big ideas are key, and as well as having a keen commercial awareness of the development process, we are looking for innovative thinkers who share our passion for creating great places and shaping the world around us for the better.  

We are looking for a motivated Associate who can lead some of our most complex projects across the UK. We offer competitive salaries, reflective of experience but we also understand there are other important elements that make a place great to work in. We have a great benefits package and are flexible about where you work and hours of work.

You should have:

• Excellent understanding of infrastructure planning and the broader UK planning system with thorough knowledge of the relevant procedures for NSIPs.

• Experience of appraising issues, risks and opportunities to inform early project development, pre-application engagement and consultation, preparing documents, co-ordinating and submitting complex infrastructure planning applications under the relevant DCO, DNS, Electricity Act and Town & Country Planning.   

• Experience in Environmental Impact Assessment and the inter-relationships between EIA and the relevant infrastructure planning regimes would be desirable.
• Experience of engaging with key infrastructure planning stakeholders and consultees, and representing developers in a variety of contexts including public meetings and consultation events. 

• A collaborative nature with a track record of managing complex infrastructure projects and multi-disciplinary teams

• An interest in business development and a network of contacts an advantage

• Personable approach, a team player with excellent spoken and written communication skills and an eye for detail

• Degree qualification and MRTPI accreditation

• Appreciation of the strength of integrating planning, master planning, landscape, and environmental services in driving sustainable development outcomes and the successful promotion of development proposals.

We work as one team from eight studios around the UK, in London, Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford and Peterborough. Each studio has its own personality formed by the people and place. All are great spaces within which to learn and develop.

If you are interested, please email recruitment@lda-design.co.uk your CV and a covering letter introducing who you are, why you do what you do, and why you want to join LDA Design, plus a list of recent projects and a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy notice.  

We are open to considering flexible working and are especially keen to receive applications from under-represented groups.

If you use assistive technology and need any of the text on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch and tell us which format you need. 

LDA Design’s Manchester studio opened in 2018 and is going from strength to strength. Manchester is a vibrant, growing city and we are located in the lively Northern Quarter. Our studio is made up of a friendly and creative group of urban designers, landscape architects and planners working together on some of the best regeneration, masterplanning and public realm projects in the region.

We are proud of our work to deliver a landscape-led vision for sustainable and inclusive growth across the North, from our award-winning Baltic Triangle SRF and Public Realm Strategy for Liverpool to the revamp of city centre streets and spaces in Newcastle. Our portfolio includes mixed-use riverside regeneration and town centre sites, new towns and urban extensions, as well as community-led estate regeneration. All our work is focussed on the public good. The studio was recently appointed by Manchester City Council to develop plans to create a fantastic city area centred around Piccadilly Gardens. 

We are keen to hear from landscape architects with a creative and collaborative approach to design. Experience of running projects is desirable, but what matters most to us is your creativity, energy and passion for landscape-led placemaking and design.

We are looking for:

• Strong conceptual landscape and public realm design skills

• Technical experience in detailed design packages through to delivery of projects on site

• Experience of working with clients and multidisciplinary teams, with experience in public realm and regeneration design desirable

• Good experience with all RIBA stages, project running and consultant liaison 

• Chartered status with the Landscape Institute or equivalent professional body is also desirable, but not essential

You will also need: 

• Excellent verbal and visual communication skills

• Good capability in technical design packages

If you are interested, please email recruitment@lda-design.co.uk your CV, a brief introduction to who you are and why you do what you do, a portfolio showcasing some of your best work (5MB max) and a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy notice.  

We are open to considering flexible working and are especially keen to receive applications from under-represented groups.

If you use assistive technology and need any of the text on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch and tell us which format you need. 

LDA Design is united around a common purpose: to make great places and shape the world around us for the better. We do this through our work regenerating cities and towns, planning new settlements, creating and repurposing streets and spaces and renewing the UK’s infrastructure. Fundamental to this is addressing the climate and nature crises. We have an enviable record working on some of the UK’s most exciting development and regeneration projects and believe in landscape as the essential building block of place.

Since we opened our new office in Cambridge, the team there has been responsible for transformational work including the redesign of the City’s Market Square, Cambridge Science Park and the New Museums Site in the city centre. Our landscape framework for the University of Cambridge’s multi-award-winning scheme at Eddington continues to set the standard for design quality in new sites across the region.

There is an appetite for our approach and way of thinking, and our combination of skills. We are looking for the best minds to help us grow our Cambridge studio and deliver for our clients and communities everywhere.

Whilst we’re looking for someone to be based from Cambridge, our one business model means we work as one team from eight studios around the UK. So, you might work on an international project or masterplanning new settlements and reimagining town centres and high streets across the East of England, and beyond.

Our people make us special and we know it. We are now a 100% employee-owned practice, a move that signifies our belief in our people, culture and values. Join us and what you will find is a friendly and supportive team shaped by our values, where your ability to thrive will be our priority.

Our Cambridge studio is looking for an Urban Designer with around 5+ years’ experience, to lead on masterplanning projects. However, the number of years you have worked is less important to us than your skills and a creative and open outlook. This is a fantastic professional opportunity for someone with ambition, who wants to contribute their expertise to our friendly, collaborative and creative team. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with strong design skills, energy and enthusiasm for their work.

We are looking for:

• Strong conceptual landscape and masterplanning design skills
• Excellent verbal and visual communication skills
• Experience of working with clients and multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of engagement and collaborative working on design projects
• Good experience with all RIBA stages, project running, team leading, and consultant liaison
• Proficiency in the Adobe Suite and AutoCAD
• Chartered status with a Built Environment professional body is also desirable

If you are interested, please email recruitment@lda-design.co.uk your CV, a brief introduction to who you are and why you do what you do, a portfolio showcasing some of your best work (5MB max) and a signed copy of our Candidate Privacy notice.   

We are open to considering flexible working and are especially keen to receive applications from under-represented groups.

If you use assistive technology and need any of the text on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch and tell us which format you need. 

If you would like to find out more and discuss the roles available, please contact Tom Perry, our Cambridge studio lead, on 07932344811.