At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative urban design projects and create transformative masterplans for the Middle East.
- Company: Join Prior + Partners, a dynamic placemaking practice with a global impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for international travel and mentoring younger designers.
- Why this job: Shape the future of urban spaces and make a real difference in communities.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in urban design, strong communication skills, and a flair for creativity.
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. 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: 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 – Masterplanning Leader (International Projects) in London employer: Prior + Partners
At Prior + Partners, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our London office offers a dynamic environment where experienced professionals can thrive, with ample opportunities for career growth and mentorship, particularly in the exciting realm of international urban design projects. As an Employee-Owned Trust, we are committed to creating a respectful workplace that values diversity and encourages meaningful contributions from all team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Urban Designer – Masterplanning Leader (International Projects) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the urban design field, especially those who have experience with Middle Eastern projects. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Prior + Partners and their recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their work in masterplanning and urban design, particularly in international contexts.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in large-scale urban development projects. Make sure it’s visually appealing and clearly demonstrates your design process and outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Urban Designer – Masterplanning Leader (International Projects) in 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 in the Middle East, have shaped your skills and approach.
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 those that showcase your creativity 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 that – no jargon, just straightforward language!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Prior + Partners.
How to prepare for a job interview at Prior + Partners
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into your past projects, especially those related to masterplanning and urban design. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the impact of your work. This will show your expertise and give you confidence during the conversation.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Prepare to explain your design process clearly. Use visuals from your portfolio to illustrate your approach to strategic visioning, concept development, and detailed masterplans. This not only highlights your technical skills but also demonstrates your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
✨Understand the Middle Eastern Context
Since the role focuses on projects in the Middle East, brush up on regional planning frameworks and cultural considerations. Being able to discuss how these factors influence your design decisions will set you apart and show that you're prepared for the unique challenges of the region.
✨Engage with the Team Dynamics
Be ready to talk about your experience leading multidisciplinary teams and mentoring junior designers. Highlight examples where you've successfully coordinated with clients and consultants. This will demonstrate your collaborative spirit and leadership qualities, which are crucial for this role.
