Associate Director
Posted 18 hours 10 minutes ago by GreenJobs Ltd
An established landscape and environmental consultancy is seeking a senior-level Landscape Planner to join the practice at a pivotal stage in its development. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced professional to step into a leadership role, bridging the gap between directors and junior staff, with a clear and immediate pathway to senior management and director-level responsibility.
The consultancy currently comprises a close-knit team of nine, including two directors and a group of graduate and mid-level staff. Following the departure of several senior team members in recent years, the business is now looking for a capable and ambitious individual to help lead projects, manage and mentor staff, and play a key role in the future direction of the practice.
Responsibilities- Lead and manage LVIA projects from inception through to delivery
- Oversee and review drawings, reports, and technical outputs produced by junior staff
- Provide day-to-day technical guidance, mentoring, and quality control across the team
- Act as Project Manager on selected schemes, liaising directly with clients and stakeholders
- Prepare and review Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIAs)
- Appear as an expert witness at Public Inquiry where required (or demonstrate a strong interest in developing this capability)
- Contribute to business development, client relationships, and the strategic growth of the practice
- Support the directors during a planned transition period, with the intention of progressing into a senior leadership / director role
- There is no existing senior successor in place, meaning progression to the most senior level is immediate for the right individual
- Both current directors are planning to step back over the next few years and are actively seeking their successors
- The role offers a genuine opportunity to influence the future direction, structure, and growth of the business
- The consultancy has a strong and established client base including national developers, local authorities, and public-sector bodies
- Turnover has historically been close to £1m, with clear scope for growth under new senior leadership
- The business functions well as it stands, but offers significant potential for expansion
- Significant experience in landscape planning, with a strong focus on LVIA
- Proven ability to manage projects and oversee the work of others
- Confidence working directly with clients and representing the practice externally
- Experience of Public Inquiry work as an expert witness, or a strong desire to develop this capability
- Leadership ambition and an interest in taking on long-term responsibility for running a consultancy
- Full right to work in the UK (sponsorship is not available)
- Basic salary in the region of £55,000 - £65,000, depending on experience and seniority
- Annual discretionary bonus (historically equivalent to approximately one month's salary)
- Clear and immediate pathway to Associate Director / Director level for the right candidate