At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver innovative urban masterplans for transformative projects in the Middle East.
- Company: Join Prior + Partners, a leading placemaking practice with a global impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities to work across London and Dubai.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in urban design while working on exciting international projects.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in urban design, strong design skills, and experience in large-scale projects.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € 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 Senior Urban Designer to join our London team and contribute to the design and delivery of complex Middle East masterplanning and urban development projects.
About the role
The successful candidate will be a creative, proactive and technically capable urban designer with around 5+ 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 support project leads in the design, coordination and delivery of complex masterplanning projects across strategic, concept and detailed design stages.
Previous Middle Eastern project experience is preferred, particularly on large-scale or district-scale masterplanning projects. However, the role would also suit candidates with strong UK masterplanning, regeneration, housing-led or mixed-use development experience who are interested in developing their international project experience.
The role requires strong design capability, technical understanding, clear visual communication, and the ability to work collaboratively in fast-moving, multidisciplinary project environments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contributing to the design, development and testing of masterplans across strategic, pre-concept, concept and detailed design stages;
- Supporting the preparation of place visions, spatial strategies and urban design frameworks for large-scale urban development projects;
- Undertaking site analysis, capacity studies, baseline reviews and design option testing;
- Preparing drawings, diagrams, illustrations, presentations, reports and design narratives;
- Supporting the development of design codes, design guidelines, plot sheets and project-specific design standards;
- Contributing to the preparation of design briefs, development schedules and project datasets;
- Coordinating tasks and project inputs across internal teams, sub-consultants and design partners;
- Supporting client presentations, workshops, design reviews and stakeholder meetings;
- Working closely with Associates and Project Leads to coordinate outputs, deadlines and technical requirements;
- Supporting coordination between London, Dubai and wider consultant teams;
- Guiding and supporting Urban Designers within project teams;
- Participating in internal team meetings, project reviews and cross-office coordination.
The candidate we are looking for will have:
- A degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related discipline;
- Around 5+ years of professional experience in urban design and masterplanning;
- Experience contributing to large-scale, mixed-use, regeneration, district, city or regional masterplanning projects;
- Previous Middle Eastern project experience preferred, particularly on large-scale or district-scale masterplanning projects;
- Strong UK masterplanning, regeneration, housing-led or mixed-use development experience also welcomed;
- An interest in developing experience on major international projects in the MENA region;
- Strong design flair, supported by technical understanding and delivery experience;
- Excellent drawing, graphic, written and verbal communication skills;
- Confidence explaining design ideas clearly through sketches, diagrams, presentations and reports;
- Ability to manage tasks, coordinate outputs and work to deadlines;
- 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.
Senior Urban Designer - London employer: Prior + Partners
Prior + Partners is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in urban design. With a focus on major international projects, particularly in the Middle East, employees benefit from unique opportunities for professional growth and development while working alongside a diverse team of experts. The London office provides a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact transformative urban developments, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior 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 need to know you’re genuinely interested in what we do at Prior + Partners, so come armed with questions and insights about our work.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to exciting projects in the Middle East.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Urban Designer - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your 5+ 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 relevant to the role. Include examples of large-scale or mixed-use projects you've worked on, and don't forget to showcase your design flair and technical skills!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your CV and cover letter, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your passion for urban design shines through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you're keen to be part of our team!
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 work. Include examples of large-scale projects you've contributed to, focusing on your role in the design process. Be ready to explain your design choices and how they meet project goals.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining your design ideas succinctly. Use sketches or diagrams if possible to illustrate your points. Clear communication is key, especially when discussing complex concepts with multidisciplinary teams.
✨Be Collaborative
Emphasise your ability to work in a team during the interview. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others on projects, particularly in fast-paced environments. This will show that you can thrive in Prior + Partners' dynamic setting.
