At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and design large-scale urban projects, creating innovative solutions.
- Company: Thriving employee-owned design consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and tailored development support.
- Other info: Exciting project pipeline with clear progression to Associate level.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team shaping impactful places and progress your career.
- Qualifications: 3-5+ years in urban design, strong design skills, and client engagement experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
Anderselite is working in partnership with a thriving, employee-owned design and planning consultancy with an exciting pipeline of residential and regeneration work across the UK. Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint a Principal Urban Designer to join their Cardiff studio, with a clear pathway to Associate level.
The Opportunity
This is an excellent role for an ambitious Urban Designer with strong commercial awareness and solid project experience who is ready to take the next step in their career. You will lead and support the delivery of complex residential masterplans and regeneration schemes, working closely with in-house landscape and planning teams. This is a career opportunity with real progression, designed for someone looking to move into a more senior, strategic role in the short to medium term.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and coordination of large-scale masterplanning and regeneration projects.
- Develop innovative and practical design solutions in response to complex briefs.
- Produce compelling visuals, diagrams, and reports for client and stakeholder presentations.
- Work closely with internal landscape and planning teams to deliver integrated placemaking.
- Manage client relationships and contribute to business development.
- Support and mentor junior staff.
- Take ownership of project stages, from concept through to planning submissions.
About You
- 3–5+ years’ experience in urban design/masterplanning.
- Degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Planning, or Landscape Architecture.
- MA in Urban Design or significant equivalent experience.
- Strong three-dimensional design and spatial thinking skills.
- Experience with Vectorworks (or AutoCAD), SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Able to manage and deliver high-quality design outputs.
- Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills.
- Confident engaging with clients and working in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team.
- Ambitious, proactive, and ready to progress into an Associate-level role.
Why Join?
- Employee-owned business with a transparent, collaborative culture.
- Clear progression to Associate role with tailored development support.
- Flexible hybrid working – Cardiff-based with 2 days per week from home.
- Strong project pipeline in residential, regeneration, and public sector design.
- Competitive salary (50k–55k) plus benefits.
- Work with a team of passionate, multi-disciplinary designers shaping places that matter.
Principal/ Associate Urban Designer in Cardiff employer: Morson Group
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal/ Associate Urban Designer in Cardiff
✨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 Morson Group who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
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 Principal/ Associate Urban Designer in Cardiff
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 Morson Group!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Morson Group. 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 Morson Group
✨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 Morson Group.