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Senior Urban Design Officer

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  • Senior Urban Design Officer (Interim)

    Immediate Start 

    Shape one of the UK’s most iconic cities.

    Oxford is growing, changing and facing big design challenges—and we’re looking for an experienced Senior Urban Design Officer to help lead the quality and ambition of major development across the city.

    This is a high-profile interim role at the heart of a busy planning authority, ideal for an urban design professional who thrives on influence, collaboration and design excellence.

    The role

    You’ll be a trusted design specialist, working closely with planning colleagues and senior stakeholders to ensure development in Oxford is of the highest quality.

    Key responsibilities include:

  • Providing specialist urban design advice on major planning applications and pre-application enquiries
  • Shaping and contributing to design guidance and planning policy projects
  • Supporting and helping to facilitate the Oxford Design Review Panel
  • Advising officers, applicants, agents and elected Members with clear, balanced and evidence-led recommendations
  • Presenting confidently at committees and stakeholder meetings

  • About you

    You’re a confident, credible urban design professional who can balance strong design principles with pragmatic decision-making.

    You will bring:

  • A degree in urban design, architecture or a closely related subject
  • Membership (or working towards) RIBA, RTPI or the Urban Design Group
  • Proven experience dealing with the urban design aspects of major development proposals
  • A strong track record of influencing outcomes and building collaborative relationships

  • Contract details

  • 37 hours per week
  • 5 days per week (4-day condensed week considered)
  • Hybrid working – flexible, with an expectation of at least 2 days per week in the office
    (Thursdays are typically the key office day)
  • Immediate start
  • Initial contract until at least August, with potential extension

  • Rates:

  • £19.16 PAYE per hour
  • £21.47 Umbrella per hour
  • Higher rates considered for the right candidate please note your anticipated rate on your CV

  • Why this role?

  • Work on high-profile schemes in a world-renowned city
  • Be a genuine design influencer, not just a reviewer
  • Join a collaborative, professional team that values quality and expertise
  • Flexible working with a competitive interim rate

  • If you’re ready to make a visible impact on Oxford’s built environment, we’d love to hear from you.

  • Experience presenting to elected Members and committees
  • Sound, current knowledge of the UK planning system, planning law and government guidance
  • Excellent analytical skills and the confidence to make and defend evidence-based judgements
  • Strong IT capability