We’re hiring in Glasgow!
About New Practice, part of Civic
New Practice is looking for an exceptional Place Designer (RIBA Part II Architectural Assistant, or similar design / planning / service qualification or experience) to join our team in Glasgow on a permanent basis beginning in November 2025 or sooner.
About the Team
New Practice are experts in community engagement and placemaking working across the UK & Ireland. The practice is committed to embedding social value in place-based projects through community engagement, meanwhile use, retrofit & reuse and strategies for community; ensuring that community-centred briefs and shared decision making shape the future of the built and natural environment.
New Practice became part of Civic in 2024 through a shared commitment to the design and delivery of places that have a positive impact on the environment and enable people to lead healthier, happier lives. New Practice is a RIBA | RIAS chartered architecture practice.
Current clients include; Blackpool Council, The Crown Estate, Design Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Ealing Council, Glasgow City Council, Hackney Council, Homes England, Landsec, MUSE, Regal Homes, Scottish Borders Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
About the Job
As a Place Designer, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the practice to deliver on a range of architecture, community engagement and urbanism projects across the public and private sector; all of which are developing the community, creative and cultural capacity of places and connecting people with the decision making processes that underpin their lived experience.
Your work will include supporting our Community Engagement and Placemaking team on the development of brief building, concept design and detailed specifications for a varied scale of architecture, public realm and temporary use projects; all of which champion the importance of inclusive, intersectional and accessible design.
Your work will require collaboration across our team and beyond; where you will be supported to directly engage with individuals, groups, organisations and communities through formal and informal methods, and in-person and digital settings as part of our best practice creative engagement work.
You will be involved with internal team discussions to support practice research, learning and development. You will display a strong learning orientation and self-identify areas of personal development. You will exhibit self-awareness, recognise your strengths and areas for development with a strong desire to further develop, and actively seek ways to contribute to team projects or lend a helping hand.
The role will be based out of our office in Glasgow city centre which is shared with colleagues from Civic.
We offer flexible working arrangements with the expectation of a minimum of 3 days a week working from the office to enable direct support and mentorship from the Director of Place and Associate of Place.
You will report to Becca Thomas ARB, Director of Place & Architect at New Practice, part of Civic.
Day-to-day task and expectations
Architecture & Urban Design Project Support
Collaborate with architects, urban designers, and planners to translate technical information into accessible content, high-quality graphics and diagrams.
Prepare visual and written materials for presentations, reports, and marketing purposes.
Assist in the creation of design concepts, visuals, and presentation materials for architectural and urban projects, working with senior team members to brainstorm and conceptualise ideas for projects and presentation to clients and communities.
Support the development of engagement tools and strategies that align with project timelines.
Work with senior team members to brainstorm and conceptualise ideas for projects and presentation to clients.
Architecture & Urban Design Project Coordination
Support project teams by managing timelines, project schedules and deliverables.
Understand building standards and follow drawing standards, and ensure all design work is consistent in quality whilst managing multiple design tasks while meeting deadlines.
Maintain organised records, feedback and design iterations.
Community Engagement
Develop tools and materials to effectively communicate design ideas to diverse audiences.
Plan, coordinate, and execute community engagement activities, including workshops, public meetings, and events.
Build and maintain relationships with community groups, stakeholders, and project partners.
Collect and analyze community feedback to inform project development.
Working closely with senior team members to ensure community input is integrated into project deliverables.
Stakeholder Management
Act as a main point of contact for inquiries related to community engagement and communications.
Facilitate clear and transparent dialogue between clients, communities, and the design team.
Ensure that stakeholder needs are identified and addressed throughout project lifecycles.
Behaviour and Professional Commitment
Highly organised, ability to multitask, observe good timekeeping and meet deadlines
Brings an approachable and friendly manner, and confidence with public speaking
Works collaboratively as part of a team and intuitively as an individual
Bringing an attention to detail and ensure excellent written and verbal communication
Developing and consistently building upon strong organisational skills
Self-motivated, driven and proactive
Kind, caring and committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Experience/Qualifications Required
Postgraduate degree or Undergraduate degree with equivalent experience, from an architecture, planning, urbanism or similar creative discipline / related field such as service design.
Skills/Competencies
Effectively communicate design ideas and approaches using a variety of techniques
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Have knowledge and understanding of planning policy across the UK and RIBA Plan of Work
Work confidently on Apple / Mac Operating System
Work confidently on Adobe Creative Suite (with regular and ongoing training)
Work confidently on AutoCad and SketchUp Pro (with regular and ongoing training)
Work confidently on Microsoft Office and Teams
Work confidently on Zoom (and other online conferencing tools)
Work confidently on Miro (and/or other online facilitation tools).
Desirable
Familiarity with participatory design processes
Experience working in the architecture, design, or urban planning sector
Knowledge of local communities and cultural contexts across Scotland.
How to Apply
Please submit a CV, cover letter, your notice period (if applicable) and a portfolio of your work highlighting key projects and your achievements to date. If you do not have a portfolio, CV or a cover letter we have created simple templates which you can download from the side bar to the right.
Send your CV, cover letter and portfolio as pdfs to apply@new-practice.co.uk with the subject line / title “Apply: Place Designer”.
In your covering letter, please tell us a little bit about yourself, why you want to work at New Practice, part of Civic, and your specific interest in community-led development and creative engagement projects.
Our commitment to inclusive recruitment
New Practice, part of Civic, is a women and LGBTQ+ led practice. We strive for diversity in our team and we encourage applications from all backgrounds, abilities or impairments, communities and industries. We are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities. We respect that people have commitments and provide flexible hybrid working hours through discussion.
We anticipate that all first interviews will be conducted online. Second interviews will be in-person. We will offer interviews at times that suit you, so if you have dependents, caring duties, or other circumstances affecting your availability for an interview, we’re happy to offer convenient times outside of work hours.
If you have any questions please contact apply@new-practice.co.uk with subject line / title: “Place Designer”.
Deadline: Monday 29th September, 23:55
First Interviews: w/c 6th October 2025
Second Interviews: w/c 13th October 2025
Start date, to be confirmed: w/c 3rd November 2025
Place Designer (Glasgow)
Location: Glasgow (with travel / work across the UK & Ireland required)
Contract: Permanent
Salary and Working Hours: 36.5 hours per week, £25 - 28,000 per annum, dependant on experience
Holiday Entitlement: 23 days per annum pro-rata, (Scottish Government) Bank Holidays and 3 days over Christmas and New Year.
Our Values
Be Collaborative
Be Curious
Be Helpful
Be Passionate
Be Ingenious
Why Join Us?
Opportunity to work on meaningful projects that positively impact communities
Collaborative and innovative environment through the Civic ‘Our Better Normal’ model of work.
Professional growth and development opportunities
Feel free to use these simple templates or use your own: