Technical Director

Lanpro is a market leading multi-disciplinary consultancy who specialise in Environment led Planning and Design.

We work on projects at all scales within town, semi-rural and rural contexts, across a variety of sectors that includes residential, historic sites and estates, renewable energy, infrastructure and mixed-use commercial developments.

About Lanpro

Lanpro is a fast growing, unique and rewarding environment. Through its agile team and comprehensive service, it has allowed growth nationwide. Our Group now has access to offices in Norwich, London, Cambridge, Manchester, Edinburgh, York, Bath, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter and Chelmsford.

Our multidisciplinary service spans across multiple disciplines. Our Group offerings now include Planning, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Ecology, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Landscape Architecture, Architecture & Design, Arboriculture, Visualisation, Historic Environment, Acoustics, Air Quality, Civil Engineering, Geo-environmental, MEP Building Services, Structures, Sustainability, Transport & Highways, Utilities, Water & Flood Risk.

We thrive on creating a culture and environment which provides a great variety of projects, recognition of success, continuous professional development and collaboration across an array of different professions. To find out more about our culture, please click here .

We are proud that together, our teams are supporting delivery of some of the largest solar and battery storage schemes in the United Kingdom and Europe. We have a strong pipeline of opportunities across the energy, residential and infrastructure sectors.

We offer an environment that is diverse, entrepreneurial and encourages innovation and your professional development.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are seeking an experienced Technical Director of Landscape to lead key projects and client relationships across the business, providing strategic leadership, technical excellence and commercial direction across a diverse portfolio of landscape architecture projects. These may include major infrastructure, urban regeneration, energy developments and environmental enhancement schemes.

The role is responsible for shaping the technical direction of the Landscape Architecture discipline, ensuring high-quality project delivery, supporting business growth and developing strong client and stakeholder relationships. Working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams, the Technical Director will provide expert advice on landscape, environmental and planning matters, while supporting the continued growth and development of the team and wider business.

The ideal candidate will be established in the industry with a strong track record in Landscape Planning, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA), Townscape and Visual Impact Assessments (TVIA), environmental and major infrastructure projects. They will combine strategic leadership and commercial awareness with a hands-on technical capability and the ability to lead complex projects.

If successful, you will:

Technical and Project Leadership

- Act as a technical lead on DCO, NSIP, major infrastructure, strategic development and energy projects.
- Provide technical leadership and oversight across landscape projects, acting as a senior technical expert and point of escalation for complex landscape matters.
- Lead and contribute to the preparation, review and quality assurance of LVIAs, TVIAs, landscape strategies, landscape and environmental assessments and supporting evidence-base documents.
- Provide expert technical advice on landscape, visual and environmental matters to clients, project teams and stakeholders.
- Act as Expert Witness at Inquiries, Hearings, Examinations and Public Consultations where required.
- Lead and oversee the delivery of complex projects, ensuring technical quality, programme, budget and contractual requirements are achieved.
- Provide technical review and quality assurance across project outputs, supporting consistent standards and best practice across the Landscape Architecture team.
- Maintain a hands-on approach to project delivery where required, including report writing, technical assessment, design development and the use of industry software such as CAD.
- Ensure compliance with company procedures, quality assurance systems and health and safety requirements.

Client Management and Business Development

- Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a senior point of contact and trusted technical adviser.
- Identify opportunities for new and repeat business and support wider business development, marketing and cross-selling initiatives.
- Collaborate with clients, local authorities, government agencies, developers and multidisciplinary teams to develop practical landscape-led solutions.
- Prepare and contribute to fee proposals, tenders, framework submissions and business development opportunities.
- Develop and maintain a strong professional profile through networking, industry engagement, CPD and thought leadership.
- Enhance the Company reputation through high-quality delivery and the development of strong professional relationships across the UK market.

Commercial and Operational Management

- Prepare and manage project budgets, fees, programmes, resourcing and consultant teams to ensure successful project delivery in line with commercial, contractual and quality objectives.
- Act as Project Director and/or Project Manager on appropriate projects, maintaining responsibility for project performance and commercial outcomes.
- Support strategic resource planning and the effective utilisation of the Landscape Architecture team.
- Contribute to the development of the Landscape Architecture business plan, technical standards and service offering.
- Support the Senior Leadership Team with strategic decisions relating to technical capability, recruitment, resourcing, client development and business growth.

Essential:

- Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI).
- Degree and/or postgraduate qualification in Landscape Architecture (Landscape Institute accredited).
- Significant post-chartership experience within a consultancy environment with extensive experience in Landscape Planning, LVIA and TVIA.
- Proven experience leading and delivering large-scale and complex landscape, infrastructure and strategic development projects, including DCO and NSIP schemes.
- Demonstrable experience acting as Project Director and/or Project Manager with responsibility for technical QA, project oversight, financial management, fee proposals, resourcing and programme delivery.
- Strong expertise in UK landscape planning, environmental assessment and relevant legislation and consenting processes.
- Experience providing Expert Witness evidence.
- High level of technical and design capability with the ability and willingness to remain hands-on in project delivery.
- Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills, with the ability to influence outcomes and negotiate effectively across public and private sector environments.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, CAD software and landscape design tools.
- Established professional network and profile within the North of England
- Fluency in English and ability to communicate effectively.
- Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

- Previous experience in a multidisciplinary consultancy environment.
- Experience of project management and resource management systems.
- Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams on major infrastructure or strategic development projects.
- Experience of developing technical standards, methodologies or service lines within a landscape consultancy.
- Experience of contributing to industry guidance, publications, conferences or professional events.

As a valued employee of Lanpro, you can expect to feel looked after. We offer the following great benefits as standard:

Day One

- Enhanced Annual Leave entitlement
- Death in service cover
- Centrally based City offices
- Hybrid working environment (flexible work)
- Protected CPD (Department, individual and companywide)
- Professional Body membership contribution
- Enhanced Company pension
- Career progression framework and development, including two defined promotion windows annually.
- E Learning portal access
- Non contractual growth bonus scheme

After Probation and Beyond

- Loyalty Leave (Continuous Service Accrued Annual Leave up to 5 days)
- Vitality Health Care - Private Medical Insurance Discounted Gym membership
- Discounts and perks - Amazon prime, Free Odeon Cinema tickets, Apple benefits and Café Nero
- Employee Assistance Program - including Financial and Mental Health support from external expertise.

- BUPA Cash Plan Employee Assistance Program - including Financial and Mental Health support from external expertise.

- Cycle to work scheme