Design Advisor

Cardiff Bay. 3 days in office, 2 days remote

The Design Advisor plays a key role in the work of the Design Commission for Wales – leading on design review, delivering training, responding to consultations, preparing written material and helping to deliver events. The successful candidate will have a passion for good design and placemaking and the contribution they can make to quality of life and public value in Wales.

This role focuses on ensuring that good design and placemaking is understood, recognised, promoted and implemented.

As Design Advisor you will be a credible professional with experience in the built environment, ideally in urban design, architecture and/or planning. You will be able to effectively communicate and advocate the importance of good design for the built environment across sectors and disciplines and among decision makers. You will have the confidence and communication skills to lead training and engagement programmes for local authorities, private and third sector and other multi-disciplinary audiences throughout Wales.

In the role of Place Advisor you will support DCFW’s current ambitious range of initiatives as well as develop and implement your own creative and targeted ideas for stimulating design quality across the built environment sectors in Wales.

Over the next couple of years we have a particular focus on supporting design quality in affordable housing developments and promoting well-designed smaller/infill site development in existing towns and settlements. The presents a fantastic opportunity to be involved at an early stage in these initiatives. Skills and experience in these areas will be particularly relevant.

Design Advisors play an important role in the small staff team and must have excellent organisation, communication and team working skills. DCFW serves the whole of Wales and the Design Advisor will be expected to travel throughout Wales (and elsewhere as necessary), including overnight stays, as required to execute the responsibilities of the role.

• Lead the organisation of the design review service and promote it to existing and potential users. This will involve early engagement with local authorities, scheme promoters and clients to determine their needs, liaising with our panel of experts and making arrangements for the review, taking part in review meetings, and composing the official comment of the Commission in the form of design review reports.
• Play a key role in the production of the Placemaking Wales newsletter including establishing topics, identifying contributors and editing articles in collaboration with our Communications Officer.
• Research and share best practice and evidence of the value and benefits of good design including through seminars, publications, advice and articles on the website.
• Maintain and enhance existing stakeholder relationships and use your knowledge and initiative to develop new ones in the design and development industries including clients, local authorities, professional and membership organisations, Welsh Government and others.
• Provide feedback on consultations and queries as they arise.
• Developing and delivering bespoke training to organisations such as local planning authorities, members, and housing associations.
• Pick up work streams relating to promoting good design from the earliest stages with affordable housing providers and the promotion of small housing sites within existing settlements.
• Developing and delivering projects that align with DCFW’s strategic plan and the Programme for Government including resource management and project programme.
• Arrange and deliver workshops on design, planning and placemaking topics.
• Contribute to DCFW’s work in relation to town centre regeneration and placemaking including commenting of Placemaking Plans, providing guidance and supporting local authorities.

• Assist the development of DCFW’s services and programme and their delivery in line with the Commission’s strategic and corporate aims.
• Liaise as necessary with team members and the Design Review Panel.
• Liaise with external bodies to enhance and support existing partnerships and develop…