At a Glance
- Tasks: Support design and delivery of major urban development projects, focusing on the Middle East.
- Company: Join Prior + Partners, a leading placemaking practice in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Work with a dynamic team on exciting international projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on transformative urban projects while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in urban design or related field; experience or strong recent graduates welcome.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About Prior + Partners
Prior + Partners has an opportunity for an urban designer to join its London office. Prior + Partners is a specialist placemaking practice integrating masterplanning, planning and economics to unlock the potential of places and communities. Our work spans district, city and regional scales, moving between strategic visioning, concept and detailed masterplans and implementation. We work on major regeneration projects, new communities, mixed‑use districts and strategic development frameworks in the UK and internationally. Our international portfolio includes transformative projects across the Middle East, including strategic visions, regional development frameworks and concept and detailed masterplans for large‑scale urban development projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the wider region.
About the role
We are now seeking an urban designer to join our London team and support the design and delivery of major international masterplanning and urban development projects, with a particular focus on projects across the Middle East. The successful candidate will be a creative, curious and motivated urban designer, ideally with up to one to three years’ professional urban design and masterplan experience or relevant fields such as architecture and landscape design. We would also welcome applications from strong recent graduates with relevant design skills and a clear interest in urban design and masterplanning. This role will suit someone who is keen to develop their design, technical and communication skills within a multidisciplinary practice. You will support project teams across a range of tasks, from research, site analysis and concept design through to drawings, diagrams, presentations, reports and visualisations. You will be working on interesting, large‑scale, fast‑moving and multidisciplinary projects across the Middle East and wider international markets. Previous Middle East or international project experience is welcome, but not essential. More important is a strong design sensibility, good graphic communication skills, curiosity and a willingness to learn how complex international masterplanning projects are developed and delivered.
Key responsibilities
- Supporting the preparation of masterplans, urban design frameworks and spatial strategies
- Undertaking research, site analysis, precedent studies and baseline reviews
- Preparing drawings, diagrams, plans, illustrations, reports and presentations
- Supporting design option testing and concept development
- Assisting with the preparation of place visions, design narratives and strategic diagrams
- Supporting the production of design codes, design guidelines, plot sheets and project‑specific design material
- Helping to prepare development schedules, project datasets and supporting technical information
- Working with senior urban designers, associates and project leads to develop and coordinate project outputs
- Participating in internal design reviews, team meetings and project workshops
- Supporting coordination with planners, economists, landscape architects, engineers and other consultants
- Contributing positively to the design culture of the studio
The candidate we are looking for will have:
- A degree in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture or a related discipline
- Up to one to three years’ professional urban design and masterplanning experience or related fields such as architecture and landscape design, although strong recent graduates are also encouraged to apply
- A clear interest in urban design, placemaking, masterplanning and the design of cities, neighbourhoods and public spaces
- An interest in working on major Middle Eastern projects
- Strong design, drawing and graphic communication skills
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to explain design ideas clearly through drawings, diagrams, sketches and presentations
- A proactive, organised and collaborative approach
- Willingness to learn and take direction from senior members of the team
- Ability to work carefully and creatively as part of a project team
- Previous UK, Middle East or international project experience would be beneficial, but is not essential
- Fluency in English
Technical and digital skills
Strong technical and digital design proficiency is expected, including:
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- AutoCAD and/or Rhino, including 3D modelling
- Good drawing, layout and presentation skills
Experience in the following would also be beneficial:
- GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS
- CAD‑to‑GIS workflows
- Rendering software such as V‑Ray, Twinmotion or Enscape
- Grasshopper or other parametric design tools
- Excel‑based schedules or data coordination
- Revit, Unreal Engine, Unity or generative AI workflows for illustrative outputs
How to apply
Salary will be commensurate with experience. We offer the opportunity to further your career within a busy, growing and multidisciplinary practice, working alongside urban designers, planners, economists, spatial data specialists and public realm professionals. To apply, please submit your CV and portfolio via the button below. Prior + Partners is an Employee‑Owned Trust and an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an open, respectful environment where people can build lasting careers and do their best work. We welcome applications from candidates returning to the profession following a career break.
Urban designer employer: Critical Playground LLC
At Prior + Partners, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and innovation. Our London office provides unique opportunities for professional growth within a multidisciplinary team, allowing urban designers to engage in transformative projects across the Middle East and beyond. With a commitment to employee development and a supportive environment, we empower our team members to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the field of urban design.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Urban designer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in urban design through LinkedIn or local meetups. Building connections can lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects related to urban design and masterplanning. Make sure it’s visually appealing and easy to navigate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Prior + Partners and their projects. Understand their approach to placemaking and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Urban designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Make sure your portfolio highlights your best work! Include a variety of projects that showcase your design sensibility and graphic communication skills. We want to see how you think and create, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your CV:When applying, tweak your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with urban design and masterplanning. Highlight any relevant projects or coursework that demonstrate your interest in placemaking and urban spaces.
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your design ideas and experiences. We appreciate good communication skills, so make sure your writing reflects that!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your CV and portfolio. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Prior + Partners!
How to prepare for a job interview at Critical Playground LLC
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into Prior + Partners' recent projects, especially those in the Middle East. Familiarise yourself with their approach to urban design and placemaking. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your skills align with their work.
✨Showcase Your Design Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best design work, including drawings, diagrams, and any relevant projects. Be ready to explain your design process and the decisions you made. This is your chance to demonstrate your graphic communication skills and creativity!
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, project challenges, or the design culture at Prior + Partners. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to and grow within the team.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Since the role involves working closely with various professionals, be prepared to discuss your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've worked in teams, taken direction, and contributed positively to group projects. Highlighting your proactive and organised approach will resonate well with them.
