At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative urban strategy projects that shape sustainable cities.
- Company: Buro Happold, a forward-thinking firm redefining urban living.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, generous holiday, and wellness support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and continuous development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on city planning and inspire future generations.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in urban planning and strong leadership skills.
At Buro Happold, we are redefining what great cities look like—creating places that are sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
Role
The Associate Director will lead high‑profile urban strategy and masterplanning projects across the UK and internationally. Based in London, the role is hybrid.
Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary urban strategy and planning projects.
- Act as Project Lead, accountable for quality, programme, risk, and client outcomes.
- Build and nurture strong relationships with public and private sector clients.
- Lead, inspire, and develop high‑performing teams.
- Drive business development—winning work, growing client relationships, and contributing to long‑term pipeline growth.
- Translate strategic priorities into operational delivery, balancing commercial performance with technical excellence.
Qualifications
- Extensive experience in urban planning, masterplanning, or city‑scale development.
- Strong consultancy background with proven delivery across public and private sector projects.
- Deep understanding of integrated urban challenges across planning, infrastructure, sustainability, economics, and environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, multidisciplinary projects.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Track record of delivering commercially successful, high‑quality outcomes.
- Strong leadership capability, with experience mentoring and developing teams.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to shape and influence business direction.
Desirable Experience
- Chartered or professionally accredited in a relevant discipline.
- Thought leadership or industry engagement (public speaking, publications, etc.).
- Experience growing teams, capabilities, or regional presence.
- Commercial mindset with a strong focus on winning work and developing client relationships.
Benefits
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Attractive salary and benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, and income protection.
- 10% car allowance.
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
- Generous company pension scheme.
- Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
- Enhanced parenthood leave policies; 3pm finish on the last Friday of the month.
- Commitment to continuous development with learning programmes and professional membership entitlements.
- Well‑being support through an employee assistance programme, wellbeing activities, and supportive inclusive environment.
EEO Statement
Buro Happold values an individual’s flexible approaches to working patterns and is committed to an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences. We encourage applications from under‑represented groups and provide support throughout the application process. If you need adjustments to the application process, please let us know. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com.
Associate Director Urban Strategies employer: Buro Happold Limited
Buro Happold Limited is an exceptional employer, offering Fire Engineers the chance to work on iconic projects across the UK while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong emphasis on career development and mentorship, employees are encouraged to grow their skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, supported by generous leave and a commitment to employee well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director Urban Strategies
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Buro Happold Limited who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
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Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director Urban Strategies
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Buro Happold Limited!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Buro Happold Limited. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Buro Happold Limited
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Buro Happold Limited.
