Our sister company ‘Soundings’ is recruiting

August 2019

Project Leader: Public Engagement and Consultation

Location: London, Shoreditch EC2A

About Soundings

“Better Places through Active Participation”

For over 15 years Soundings has worked with Londoners to shape the capital in meaningful ways, on some of the most significant and challenging sites. We are the acknowledged field leader in public and stakeholder engagement and consultation. (new website currently under construction due for launch September 2019)

We are looking for highly motivated, experienced and ambitious individuals who are looking for something more than conventional consultancy to support our expanding business and creative teams. You will bring knowledge of the planning and regeneration process, experience of community engagement methods and be able to demonstrate delivery of high quality visual and written communication materials tailored to audiences.

We are involved in a large range of public and private sector built environment projects. These include large scale urban regeneration, estate regeneration, neighbourhood plans, placemaking cultural strategies, town centre plans, one off development sites through to public realm projects amongst others.

We do much more than conventional consultation. We offer extensive engagement and creative tools and processes that develop deep understandings of people, place and history. This reveals local identity and priorities as well as harnessing local knowledge building trust and partnerships. Ensuring that local voices can meaningfully contribute to design decision-making and shaping the future of places and spaces in intelligent, imaginative and equitable ways.

We are expanding our workforce to help deliver an exciting new range of commissions for major clients.

Steve McAdam, founding director, speaking at the Centre for London on Building Trust: Strengthening Public Participation in London’s Planning System, said: “The future requires a commitment to co-production and co-design to enable diverse voices and local communities to contribute to shaping their neighbourhoods and delivering equitable developments” July 2019

Recent / current projects include: Canada Water Masterplan, for British Land; Brent Cross South, for Argent, Northfields Alperton Masterplan, for St George (planning award), Marion Gasworks, for St William; Gascoigne Estate, Barking, for Be First; Colchester Borders for Colchester Council, Peninsula Hotel, Hyde Park Corner, for Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels Group; Berkeley Square, for Grosvenor; and the Royal Docks Cultural Placemaking Strategy and OAPF for the Royal Docks Team, TfL and the GLA.

We are looking for someone with 4-6 years experience working in similar or allied design / planning / communications environments.

Skills Required:

Engagement Consultants are a vital part of our team and we are looking for an enthusiastic and natural communicator with excellent written and oral communications skills to work across a range of consultation and engagement projects. This will be combined with an understanding of the role of consultation and engagement in community planning. Knowledge of planning, urban design, local government and/or architecture is an advantage but not essential.

You’ll be involved in extensive community outreach, working in teams and independently; both in the office and ‘on the ground’. You will have the opportunity to devise creative techniques to increase participation in the design and development process. You’ll also be required to create high-quality communications to help ensure clarity of information and maximum engagement.

Skills Required:
– Work closely with project director to manage the delivery of a large portfolio of projects

– Ability to manage and run project teams

– Strong client liaison

– Produce consultation strategies and plan key deliverables such as workshops, public communications, and events

– Facilitate public discussions and panels

– Strong understanding of communication strategy, visual communication / graphic skills

– Data interpretation and report writing

– Good English written and verbal communication skills

Added value:
– Have a background in planning, urban design and architecture

– Knowledge of the planning process and planning policy

– RIBA Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications / or equivalent in a similar field

Key qualities:
– A team leader – proactive and inspiring – able to take initiative and to add creativity to consultation projects and events

– Able to engage with people

– Strong project management

– Collaborate with others from varying backgrounds as projects often involve working as part of a larger team that consists of architects, the council and or developer and various other practitioners related to a development or regeneration project

– Be flexible with time and be willing to work evenings and occasional weekends

Company’s website:
www.fluidoffice.com
www.soundingsoffice.com

Some examples of our work:
https://brentcrosssouth.co.uk/
http://futurenorthfields.com/
http://lancwestrefurb.com/
http://sohameasterngateway.com/

Application Process:
Please provide a CV with cover letter and examples of your work to:
Kallista Omotosho c/o recruitment@soundingsoffice.com
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by directors
Starting date as soon as possible