Senior Manager Landscape Design

About the Role

As Senior Manager Landscape Design you will provide strategic leadership, define technical requirements and deliver integrated, holistic landscape design across the hybrid Bill and Delivery Teams. You will manage information from diverse public‑realm sources to meet the Design Vision, environmental standards, strategic goals and cost‑effective delivery, while offering qualitative assurance to senior management. You will act as the Lead Subject Matter Expert for Landscape Design and Public Realm across main works, stations, systems and infrastructure contracts, guiding multidisciplinary teams and ensuring compliance with the Design Vision. The role involves leading design discussions, engaging senior external stakeholders, coaching colleagues, and overseeing a small team of landscape architects and consultants. You will also support Schedule 17 planning applications, mitigate programme risks, manage delegated budgets and provide regular progress updates to the Head of Natural Environment Design, with safety and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion embedded throughout. • Lead landscape design strategy across main works, stations, systems and infrastructure contracts. • Provide technical assurance and verification on design issues for a defined geographic area. • Facilitate design discussions and ensure integrated landscape solutions across multidisciplinary teams. • Engage senior external stakeholders (e.g., Natural England, Forestry Commission, Canal & River Trust, local authorities) and present design proposals. • Coach, mentor and up‑skill colleagues, promoting landscape considerations in project decisions. • Manage a small team of landscape architects, set standards and guide day‑to‑day design leadership. • Oversee Schedule 17 planning applications and reduce programme risk through proactive liaison with planning authorities. • Accountable for delegated budgets and provide regular updates to the Head of Natural Environment Design. • Uphold safety standards and actively embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all activities.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸landscape design
• ▸technical assurance
• ▸design integration
• ▸stakeholder engagement
• ▸team leadership
• ▸budget management

What You Bring

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, problem‑solving, presentation, risk‑management, analytical, influencing, review, project‑management and mentoring skills. Required knowledge includes a degree in Landscape Architecture, Chartered Membership of the Landscape Institute and familiarity with railway‑related landscape standards, cost delivery and multidisciplinary integration. Experience should include leading complex landscape and public‑realm schemes, working within large multidisciplinary projects, providing risk‑based advice, and conducting design reviews and mentorship. HS2 values safety, leadership, integrity and respect, and expects all employees to adhere to the ‘Safe at Heart’ programme and promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence, so applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, and offers are subject to standard pre‑employment checks. Applications are assessed on the CV alone, which is anonymised at the initial stage, and must be submitted before the closing date. • Required: Degree in Landscape Architecture, Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute, and strong knowledge of railway‑related landscape standards. • Demonstrated leadership in delivering complex landscape and public‑realm schemes within multidisciplinary projects. • Proven risk‑management, analytical, influencing and project‑management capabilities.

Requirements

• ▸landscape architecture
• ▸chartered member
• ▸railway standards
• ▸leadership
• ▸risk management
• ▸project management

Benefits

The position is based in Birmingham or London and offers a base salary ranging from £54,878 to £64,562 per annum, dependent on skills and experience. In addition, a fully pensionable flexible benefits fund of 20% of salary is provided, alongside a range of competitive benefits detailed on the company website. HS2 Ltd is committed to creating an inclusive environment where staff feel valued, can thrive and reach their full potential. This includes offering flexible working, supporting staff networks, and providing personal and professional development opportunities. • Competitive salary £54,878–£64,562 plus 20% fully pensionable flexible benefits fund. • Flexible working arrangements and access to staff networks and development programmes.

Work Environment

Hybrid