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- Tasks: Lead high-profile urban design projects and guide teams from concept to delivery.
- Company: Renowned international design studio known for ambitious masterplanning in the Middle East.
- Benefits: Competitive package, clear progression, and influence at leadership level.
- Why this job: Join a design-focused role and work on groundbreaking projects that shape sustainable places.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in architecture/urban design with a strong portfolio and client-facing experience.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values design excellence and offers mentorship opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
We’re working with a leading international design studio renowned for delivering large scale masterplanning and urban design projects, particularly across the Middle East. The practice is known for combining strong design thinking with technical rigour, shaping ambitious, sustainable places at scale.
As the London studio continues to grow, they are looking to appoint an Associate Director (or a highly capable Senior Associate ready to step up) to play a key role within the leadership team. This is a hands-on, client facing position, offering real influence over design direction while remaining closely involved in projects and teams.
The Role
- Lead the design and delivery of high profile urban design and masterplanning projects, with a particular focus on the Middle East.
- Act as a trusted client facing lead, presenting work, building long term relationships and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
- Guide teams from early concept through to delivery, ensuring design quality, programme and commercial objectives are met.
- Remain hands on with design and tools, setting the creative benchmark and supporting teams where needed.
- Contribute to the wider leadership of the studio, helping shape strategy, culture and future growth.
About You
- 15+ years’ experience in architecture and/or urban design, with a strong portfolio of large-scale masterplanning projects.
- Proven experience working with Middle Eastern clients.
- Confident communicator with strong design and presentation skills, comfortable leading client meetings.
- Able to balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement when required.
- Collaborative, with experience mentoring and developing teams.
- Proficient in Rhino, Revit and Adobe Creative Suite (or equivalent).
Why Join?
- Step into a design focused leadership role within an internationally recognised, design led practice.
- Work on some of the most ambitious masterplanning projects in the Middle East and beyond.
- Join a studio culture that values design excellence, collaboration and practical delivery.
- Competitive package with clear progression and genuine influence at leadership level.
Associate Design Director, Urban Design & Masterplanning in City of London employer: MADE Careers
Contact Detail:
MADE Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Design Director, Urban Design & Masterplanning in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, especially those who have ties to the Middle East. Attend design events, workshops, or even casual meet-ups. You never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! When you land that interview, make sure to bring a well-curated selection of your best work. Highlight projects that showcase your experience in urban design and masterplanning, especially those that resonate with the studio's focus.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about your design process. The interview is your chance to demonstrate how you lead teams and navigate complex projects. Share stories that illustrate your hands-on approach and how you ensure design quality while meeting client needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Design Director, Urban Design & Masterplanning in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your 15+ years of experience in architecture and urban design. We want to see your strong portfolio, especially those large-scale masterplanning projects you've worked on, particularly with Middle Eastern clients.
Be Client-Focused: Since this role is client-facing, emphasise your ability to build long-term relationships and navigate complex stakeholder environments. We love a confident communicator, so don’t hold back on showcasing your presentation skills!
Demonstrate Leadership Skills: We’re looking for someone who can balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement. Share examples of how you’ve mentored teams and contributed to studio culture and strategy in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at MADE Careers
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in your portfolio, especially the large-scale masterplanning projects. Be ready to discuss your role in each project, the challenges faced, and how you navigated them, particularly with Middle Eastern clients.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Prepare to walk through your design process step-by-step. Highlight how you balance creativity with technical rigour, and be ready to discuss specific tools like Rhino and Revit that you’ve used to bring your ideas to life.
✨Demonstrate Client Engagement Skills
Since this role is client-facing, practice articulating how you build long-term relationships and manage complex stakeholder environments. Share examples of successful client meetings where you led discussions and presented your work.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership and Mentoring
Be prepared to talk about your experience in mentoring and developing teams. Discuss how you guide teams from concept to delivery while ensuring design quality, and share any strategies you use to foster collaboration.
