Landscape Architect / Senior Landscape Architect (Oxford, UK)

Gillespies is a leading landscape architecture, masterplanning, planning and urban design practice, recognised for creating responsibly designed, transformative and award-winning places that add real value to people’s lives.

We work with ambitious, forward-thinking clients across the UK and internationally on projects that push boundaries in creativity, innovation and sustainability. As cities evolve and the importance of healthy, inclusive and nature-rich places becomes ever more critical, Gillespies is helping to lead a new nature-led urbanism.

Our studios are creative, sociable and supportive environments where collaboration, imagination and design rigour go hand in hand. You will join a team that values strong ideas, thoughtful delivery and the ability to work confidently from concept through to construction.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Landscape Architect / Senior Landscape Architect with a strong design sensibility, technical expertise, and an interest in developing hands-on site experience to join our Oxford Studio.

The successful candidate will play an important role in shaping and delivering high-quality landscape projects, from concept design through to construction, ensuring that design intent is realised on site.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about creating outstanding landscapes, while bridging the connection between design, technology, and practical execution.

Key Activities

• Contributing to landscape projects from concept through to technical delivery and construction
• Developing compelling design ideas and communicating them clearly through drawings, visualisations and presentations
• Producing high-quality graphic and technical outputs across a range of project stages
• Coordinating with clients, consultants and contractors
• Supporting project management, tender information and on-site delivery
• Collaborating across multidisciplinary teams on UK and international projects
• Contributing to studio-wide thinking around innovation, workflow and design quality

What we’re looking for

Experience and qualifications

• A minimum of 2-4 years’ professional experience in landscape architecture
• A Bachelor’s degree and Postgraduate Diploma / MA in Landscape Architecture
• UK practice experience across relevant project stages
• CMLI is desirable for a Senior LA role, though not essential; equivalent overseas qualifications will also be considered

Portfolio and technical capability

Your portfolio should demonstrate:

• Strong conceptual design ability and creative thinking
• Work ranging from early concept sketches to technical details and built projects
• Experience of delivering projects through planning, tender and/or construction stages
• Excellent graphic communication and presentation skills
• Confidence developing and communicating ideas from early narrative through to implementation

Software and communication skills

• Proficiency in AutoCAD
• Excellent working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp
• Revit would be an advantage
• Strong written and spoken English
• Clear and confident communication with clients, consultants and internal teams

Personal qualities

• Ability to work on complex projects and contribute to design packages with confidence
• Strong organisational skills
• A collaborative mindset, positive attitude and commitment to design quality
• Interest in innovation, digital tools and evolving design methods

Why join Gillespies

Gillespies is passionate about design and dedicated to making a positive impact on the built environment. We offer the opportunity to work on exciting, challenging and meaningful projects within a supportive and stimulating environment.

Our offer includes

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• The chance to work on innovative and high-profile projects
• A flexi-hours scheme to support a healthy work-life balance
• Hybrid working — opportunity to work 2 days from home and 3 days in the studio

A creative, collaborative studio culture with an international team of talented designers