At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative urban design projects and collaborate with diverse teams on large-scale developments.
- Company: Join Prior + Partners, a dynamic placemaking practice shaping communities globally.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on transformative international projects.
- Other info: Opportunity for international travel and mentoring within a supportive, creative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in urban design while working on exciting projects in the Middle East.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in urban design, strong communication skills, and experience in large-scale masterplanning.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
About Prior + Partners
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.
We are now seeking an experienced Associate Urban Designer to join our London team and play a leading role in the design and delivery of complex Middle East masterplanning and urban development projects.
About the role
The successful candidate will be a creative, experienced and client-focused urban designer with around 8+ years of professional experience in masterplanning and urban design. This role will be primarily focused on major projects across the Middle East, working from our London office in close collaboration with our London and Dubai-based teams. You will help lead the design and coordination of complex masterplanning projects, working closely with clients, consultants and multidisciplinary teams across strategic, concept and detailed design stages. The role requires strong design judgement, technical understanding, clear communication, and the ability to guide project teams through fast-moving, multidisciplinary and client-facing project environments. Previous Middle Eastern project experience is preferred, particularly on district- or city-scale masterplanning projects. You will be expected to contribute to design leadership within the practice, support the development of younger team members, and help maintain the quality, rigour and creativity of our urban design work. International travel may be required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leading the design, development and testing of masterplans across strategic, pre-concept, concept and detailed design stages;
- Preparing place visions, spatial strategies and urban design frameworks for large-scale urban development projects;
- Leading site analysis, capacity studies, baseline reviews and design option testing;
- Coordinating project inputs across internal teams, Middle East-based clients, sub-consultants and design partners;
- Leading the preparation of reports, drawings, diagrams, illustrations, presentations and design narratives;
- Developing design codes, design guidelines, plot sheets and project-specific design standards;
- Contributing to the preparation of design briefs, development schedules and project datasets;
- Leading or contributing to client presentations, workshops, design reviews and stakeholder meetings;
- Supporting coordination between London, Dubai and wider consultant teams;
- Managing and mentoring Senior Urban Designers and Urban Designers within project teams;
- Supporting internal coordination, quality review and design excellence across the practice.
The candidates we are looking for will have:
- A degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related discipline;
- Around 8+ years of professional experience in urban design and masterplanning;
- Experience delivering large-scale, mixed-use, district, city or regional masterplanning projects;
- Previous Middle Eastern project experience preferred, particularly on large-scale masterplanning projects;
- A strong understanding of international masterplanning processes, from strategic visioning through to concept and detailed masterplan stages;
- Familiarity with regional planning frameworks, design guidelines, development schedules and client review processes would be beneficial;
- Strong design flair, supported by technical understanding and delivery experience;
- Excellent drawing, graphic, written and verbal communication skills;
- Confidence in presenting design ideas clearly to clients, consultants and stakeholders;
- Experience leading project teams and managing multiple workstreams;
- A collaborative, organised and proactive approach;
- Experience working in multidisciplinary consultancy environments;
- Fluency in English; Arabic language skills would be an advantage.
Technical and digital skills
Strong technical and digital design proficiency is expected, including:
- Adobe Creative Cloud;
- AutoCAD and/or Rhino, including 3D modelling;
- GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS;
- CAD-to-GIS workflows.
Experience in the following would also be beneficial:
- Excel-based development schedules and data coordination;
- Rendering software such as V-Ray, Twinmotion or Enscape;
- Climate, wind or environmental modelling tools;
- Grasshopper or other parametric design tools;
- 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 in confidence to: careers@priorpartners.com
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.
Associate Urban Designer - London employer: Prior + Partners
At Prior + Partners, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our London office provides a unique opportunity to engage in transformative urban design projects across the Middle East, while also supporting professional growth through mentorship and a commitment to quality. As an Employee-Owned Trust, we prioritise a respectful environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful placemaking initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Urban Designer - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects related to urban design and masterplanning. Make it visually appealing and easy to navigate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in relation to Middle Eastern projects.
✨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 Associate Urban Designer - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your 8+ years of experience in urban design and masterplanning. We want to see how your past projects, especially those in the Middle East, have shaped your skills and creativity.
Tailor Your Portfolio:Your portfolio should reflect your best work, particularly large-scale and mixed-use projects. We love seeing a variety of designs, so include anything that showcases your design flair and technical skills.
Communicate Clearly:When writing your CV and cover letter, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate strong communication skills, so make sure your application reflects your ability to present ideas effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prior + Partners
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into Prior + Partners' past projects, especially those in the Middle East. Familiarise yourself with their approach to masterplanning and placemaking. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their work.
✨Showcase Your Design Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best urban design projects, particularly those involving large-scale masterplanning. Be ready to discuss your design process, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This is your chance to demonstrate your strong design flair and technical understanding.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role requires excellent communication skills, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Prepare for potential questions about your design decisions and be ready to present your thoughts on how to lead multidisciplinary teams effectively.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Given the collaborative nature of the role, think of examples where you've successfully worked with diverse teams. Highlight your experience in managing multiple workstreams and mentoring others, as this will resonate well with their focus on team dynamics and project leadership.
