Urban Design Officer

4 weeks ago

London, Greater London, United Kingdom Urban Design Group Full time

Be First is a pioneering urban regeneration company wholly owned by, but operating independently from, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council. Our mission is to accelerate growth and capitalize on the borough's position as London's best investment and development opportunity.

We are a property developer, including commercial agency, construction, and planning consultancy, and undertake statutory planning and building control services on behalf of the Council. We utilize council and commercial investment resources to acquire sites, secure planning permission, and build out new residential and commercial developments. We deliver a socially responsible model of urban regeneration that creates new homes and jobs for Barking and Dagenham's current and future communities, ensuring that no one is left behind.

This is an important position within Be First's Consultancy Team, reporting to and working closely with Design Consultancy and Statutory Planning Development Management. You will play a central role in delivering design advice on third-party planning applications.

The role will also involve working on strategic visions, masterplans, and feasibility studies, ensuring high-quality and ambitious urban design proposals are embedded into Be First's and external clients' development strategies and projects.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Advocate the Consultancy Team's design and quality ambitions to ensure excellent design standards and outcomes across LBBD.
  • Hold responsibility for Design Officer services for all third-party major planning applications, providing written design advice that contributes to Officer Reports and Planning Committee Reports.
  • Coordinate with Be First's Sustainability Associate and Heritage Officer to include their feedback on major third-party planning applications.
  • Attend Quality Review Panels (QRPs), Pre-Application, and Cabinet meetings to offer design and sustainability commentary.
  • Contribute to the running of the LBBD QRP organized by Frame Projects.
  • Lead the Peer Review process with the wider Be First Design Consultancy Team for medium third-party planning applications.
  • Run a fortnightly Design Surgery for minor third-party planning applications.
  • Work closely with the project lead to develop urban design, masterplanning, and architectural designs that include site option appraisals and feasibility studies.
  • Contribute to the development of design-led planning policies, design codes, and design guidance.
  • Produce graphics, branding, presentations, and visual material.
  • Update and manage project trackers for annual reviews to inform lessons learned and assess project performance.

Skills and Competencies:

  • Part 2 architectural designer or newly qualified architect, preferably with experience of urban design.
  • Enjoy working both in a team environment and alone.
  • Keen to learn and take ownership for tasks.
  • Forward thinking, process driven, and proactive in implementing systems to drive efficiency.
  • Have strong design skills and be comfortable visualizing, illustrating, and presenting ideas.
  • Enjoy solving problems.
  • Have excellent attention to detail.
  • Knowledge of design, planning, and construction legislation, guidance, and best practice.
  • Have experience in urban design, residential architecture, and sustainability.
  • Demonstrate a clear passion for public sector-led housing delivery and placemaking.
  • Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Proficiency in Revit is advantageous.
  • Good freehand sketching and excellent graphics skills.
  • Ability to manage complex and competing projects and workloads.
  • Excellent communication skills, with proven ability to assess and advise on architectural design issues at a senior level, both verbally and in writing, including presentations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of equality and diversity and show experience of embedding a fair and ethical approach within a team and wider organization.

Apply for this position:

In order to apply, please send your CV, cover letter, and completed EDI form to the relevant contact. Your cover letter should outline your motivation for applying and highlight how your skills, knowledge, and experience meet the skills and competencies listed in the Job Description.

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