Overview
The established Masterplanning, Landscape and Assessment team at Bidwells delivers comprehensive services across cities, towns, villages and rural areas. We focus on the intricate relationships between landscapes, streets, buildings and public spaces to create functional, attractive and sustainable places. We work amongst some of the UK’s most iconic townscapes such as Oxford’s Dreaming Spires.
As a multidisciplinary team, we integrate landscape, biodiversity, and social outcomes in our approach to each site. This methodology ensures that human-scale experience remains central to our work, while incorporating dedicated spaces for nature as part of our comprehensive site strategies.
The Opportunity:
We are seeking an experienced leader to join our established Masterplanning, Landscape and Assessment (MLA) Team. This key leadership position within our Planning Division, the largest Planning Consultancy in the Eastern Region, offers flexibility to be based in any of our England offices – Cambridge, Oxford, London, Milton Keynes or Norwich.
As the leader of Landscape and Townscape Assessment, you will guide our talented team of professionals and trusted consultants in delivering innovative solutions across the golden triangle of London, Cambridge and Oxford, including the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. You will play a pivotal role in shaping our clients’ strategies, balancing development needs with environmental preservation through both creative and commercial approaches.
Why Bidwells?
This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of landscape assessment at Bidwells while working with prestigious clients including Oxford and Cambridge Colleges, leading developers, and major landowners. We seek an individual who shares our passion for the nation’s landscapes and our commitment to both our clients and people.
At Bidwells, we are driven by our mission to provide the UK’s most sustainable and innovative property advice. For over 185 years, we have been at the forefront of real estate across the Golden Triangle and beyond, recently becoming one of the pioneering UK property consultancies to receive BCorp accreditation.
Key Responsibilities:
– Provide strategic leadership to our multi-disciplinary MLA team, focusing on assessment services
– Drive commercial success and sustainable growth of the assessment service line, encompassing both landscape and townscape
– Lead complex assessment projects across urban and rural environments, collaborating with complementary Bidwells service lines, including our Heritage and Environment, Society and Economy teams
– Develop and maintain key client relationships across our diverse portfolio
– Foster collaboration to deliver integrated solutions
– Mentor and develop team members, cultivating a culture of innovation and excellence
– Shape and implement environmental and sustainability strategies
– Contribute to business development and market expansion initiatives
About You:
Essential Qualifications and Experience
– Advanced degree in Landscape Architecture or related field
– Extensive experience in landscape and/or townscape assessment with expert knowledge of landscape and visual impact assessment methodologies
– Proven track record in business development and client relationship management
– Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable success in practice growth
– Chartered membership of the Landscape Institute
Personal Qualities:
– Effective and motivational leader with strong empathy and enthusiasm
– Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving abilities
– Outstanding communication and presentation skills
– Ability to balance assessment considerations with development needs – combining creativity with commercial awareness
– Strong commitment to mentoring and developing talent
Join us in delivering on our ambition to become the UK’s most sustainable property consultancy.
Bidwells is committed to being a responsible, purpose-driven business. We welcome applications from candidates who share our values and vision for sustainable development.
What’s in it for you?
Competitive Salary: We recognise and reward talent with generous salary and group bonus scheme. As a Real Living Wage employer, we’re committed to fair pay that reflects the true cost of living.
Comprehensive Benefits: Including up to 8% matched pension, 28 days holiday (+ bank holidays) as a minimum, along with your birthday off work, paid sabbaticals, private medical cover, medicash plan, and lifestyle discounts and perks.
Professional Development: Continuous learning, study support and promotion opportunities.
Innovative Culture: Be part of a forward-thinking team at the forefront of industry trends.
Family Friendly: We offer enhanced family leave policies to support individuals close to you.
Work-Life Balance: We value your well-being and offer agile working to support it.
Bidwells is dedicated to fostering a truly inclusive culture of belonging, where everyone can thrive and succeed as their true and authentic selves at every level. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and positively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief. Flexible working requests are considered from day one.
About Bidwells
We are a leading real estate adviser specialising in the UK’s most pioneering sectors: science & technology, sustainability, and modern living solutions. Today, our team of 600+ experts manage over £5.2 billion in property assets, and we manage or advise on over 4 million acres of the UK’s countryside and coastline, leading in forestry, natural capital, and sustainable investment.
Whilst we’re a major player in the property sector, Bidwells remains a privately-owned, independent Partnership, with an inclusive, entrepreneurial culture. We give our people autonomy and take the time to listen.