At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative urban design projects and collaborate with diverse teams across the globe.
- Company: Join Prior + Partners, a dynamic placemaking practice shaping communities worldwide.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a supportive, inclusive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for international travel and mentoring younger designers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on transformative urban projects in the Middle East.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in urban design, strong communication skills, and a creative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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.
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 and collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in urban design. Our London office provides a unique opportunity to engage in transformative projects across the Middle East, with a strong emphasis on professional development and mentorship for our team members. As an Employee-Owned Trust, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every employee 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 at events or online. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you 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. We want to see your creativity and technical prowess shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We love candidates who are genuinely interested in our work and can discuss how their experience aligns with our goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals ready to make an impact in urban design.
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 align with the role, especially if you've worked on large-scale developments or in the Middle East.
Tailor Your CV and Portfolio:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to reflect the skills and experiences that match the job description. Include relevant projects in your portfolio that showcase your design flair and technical skills.
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication skills are key! Make sure your application is clear and concise. We love a well-structured cover letter that explains why you’re the perfect fit for our team.
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, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their work.
✨Showcase Your Design Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best urban design projects. Make sure to include examples of large-scale masterplanning and any relevant experience in the Middle East. Be ready to explain your design process and the impact of your work.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your design ideas and project experiences clearly and confidently. Think about how you can present complex concepts in a way that’s easy for clients and stakeholders to understand.
✨Be Collaborative
Emphasise your ability to work within multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with clients, consultants, and other team members on past projects. This will show that you can thrive in the fast-paced environment at Prior + Partners.
