Senior Urban Designer

Roles and responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and delivery of a variety of projects often happening concurrently.
• Take ownership of medium to large scale design and production packages under the supervision of the Design/Project Director.
• Organise and graphicly develop client presentations.
• Work to a programme for deliverables and advise senior staff of any issues which may affect delivery.
• Work within agreed design standards and parameters with senior staff.
• Ensure the quality of deliverables meet the expectations of senior staff.
• Work within a multidisciplinary, multicultural team.
• Undertake technical co-ordination with other WSP teams and third party subconsultants
  

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Degree of post graduate qualification in urban design, urban planning landscape architecture, or related field and preferably with a professional affiliation (or eligible for membership)
• Candidates will ideally have minimum 7-10 years relevant working experience in urban design, urban planning and master planning.
• Lead the production of high-quality urban planning, design and master planning project submissions in the UAE and the wider Middle East and Africa
• Lead in the preparation of technical bids and fee proposals for master planning and urban design projects and other major infrastructure projects where appropriate;
• Strong design and graphics capabilities and ability to communicate ideas via various visual and graphic media including hand drawn and computer graphics.
• Fully conversant with Adobe Creative Suite with demonstrable graphics and visualisation skills.
• Competent in PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel and AutoCAD.
• Experience in working within a multidisciplinary team – including external subconsultants – is essential.
• Strong design management, report production and coordination skills
• An understanding of sustainability issues within the public realm. (LEED or similar experience and advantage)
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
• Capable of working on own initiative or as part of a larger multidisciplinary team.
• Have a logical and organized approach to project delivery of project outputs.
• Will be required to travel within the Middle East region to projects in a variety of geographical locations, including Saudi Arabia.

Desired candidate profile

1. Urban Design and Planning

• Master Planning: Ability to create large-scale urban plans that balance function, aesthetics, and sustainability.
• Land Use Planning: Designing land uses that are efficient, integrated, and contextually appropriate.
• Public Space Design: Designing accessible, inviting, and functional public spaces such as plazas, parks, and streetscapes.
• Zoning and Regulations: Knowledge of zoning codes, local planning policies, and building regulations.

2. Design Skills

• 3D Visualization and Modeling: Proficiency in tools like Rhino, SketchUp, or Revit to create design models and visual representations.
• Architectural Design: A strong grasp of architectural principles for the design of buildings and structures within urban settings.
• Sustainable Design: Incorporating sustainable, green design principles into urban projects (e.g., LEED, energy efficiency, green roofs, etc.).
• Landscape Architecture: Understanding landscape principles to create harmonious and functional urban spaces.

3. Analytical and Research Abilities

• Urban Analysis: Conducting assessments of existing urban conditions, infrastructure, and demographics.
• Traffic and Mobility Analysis: Understanding transportation systems, pedestrian movement, and how design can improve connectivity and flow.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: Analyzing potential environmental impacts of urban design and planning decisions.

4. Project Management

• Team Leadership: Leading multidisciplinary teams of architects, engineers, planners, and other professionals.
• Project Coordination: Ensuring smooth collaboration between different stakeholders, from local authorities to community groups.
• Time and Budget Management: Managing project timelines, resources, and budgets effectively.
• Client Liaison: Working closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver design solutions that meet objectives.

5. Communication and Presentation

• Graphic Design: Proficiency in design software like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to create compelling visual presentations.
• Public Engagement: Leading or participating in community outreach efforts to gather input and inform the public about urban design plans.
• Report Writing: Ability to prepare clear, concise reports and proposals that communicate ideas effectively to clients, stakeholders, and the public.