Design Officer

• Position: Design Officer
• Location: South Downs Centre, Midhurst (blended working)
• Closing Date: 17 August 2025
• Interview Date: 1 September 2025
• Salary: £42,530 to £46,860
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Type of post: Maternity cover (up to 12 months)

The South Downs National Park is a stunning landscape that sits in a beautiful part of Southern England. It is a vibrant and exciting place to work, not least as it lies in a region of substantial urban spread with high levels of economic activity, which creates pressures on the National Park. Our role is to achieve the best balance between environmental, social, and economic outcomes to conserve and enhance this man-made landscape.

This is an important role for the National Park, and we need someone who will take the lead in offering advice on urban design, including on many large and complex development schemes within rural and some urban contexts, including Petersfield and Lewes. You will also advise neighbourhood planning groups, partake in design reviews, and assist our Design Review Panel, a group of prominent design experts.

As a National Park Authority, we need to ensure that future development in the park is managed appropriately. We must also develop strategies and individual briefs that meet the needs of our communities – residents, visitors, and businesses, but at the same time protect and enhance the natural environment and diversity and unique beauty of the landscape.

The role of the National Park Design Officer is key to this process. Working with a Design Officer already in post, as part of a friendly, specialist team of landscape, conservation, and design officers, you will ensure the delivery of high-quality design and enhancement within the built and natural environment of the National Park. This role offers the opportunity to work on a unique and diverse range of design projects. The role needs someone with tenacity, diplomacy, and a strong work ethic to deliver positive outcomes.

If this is something that really interests you, and you know you can add value to the work of the team and meet the person specification, then please apply.

To apply: Please apply via the button shown to upload your CV and complete our application, referring to the person specification.

SDNPA is an inclusive organisation, and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, faith and religion, disability and age.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled applicants.

In all circumstances, the SDNPA appoints on merit, based on the evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post. Further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found on our website.

SDNPA Enhanced Benefits

• Flexible working – (this is available for the majority of our roles. However, some positions may require on-site presence and/or specific hours due to business needs)
• Local government pension scheme
• Healthcare - includes cash plan, counselling and wellbeing discounts
• 27 days' annual leave
• Professional development support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car sharing
• Use of pool cars
• Regular staff events/activities, which support the SDNPA’s Purposes and Duty

Other organisations may call this role Urban Design Officer, Planning and Design Advisor, Design and Conservation Officer, Development Design Consultant, Architectural Design Planner, Design and Place-Making Officer, or Senior Design Planning Officer.