At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the design and delivery of major urban development projects across the Middle East.
- Company: Join Prior + Partners, a leading placemaking practice with a focus on transformative projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities to work on international projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on cities and communities while developing your design skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Urban Design or related field; 1-3 years experience preferred but strong graduates welcome.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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 Urban Designer to join our London team and support the design and delivery of major international masterplanning and urban development projects, with a particular focus on projects across the Middle East.
About the role
The successful candidate will be a creative, curious and motivated urban designer, ideally with up to 1-3 years of professional urban design and masterplan experience, or relevant fields such as architecture and landscape design. We would also welcome applications from strong recent graduates with relevant design skills and a clear interest in urban design and masterplanning. This role will suit someone who is keen to develop their design, technical and communication skills within a multidisciplinary practice. You will support project teams across a range of tasks, from research, site analysis and concept design through to drawings, diagrams, presentations, reports and visualisations.
You will be working on interesting, large-scale, fast-moving, and multidisciplinary projects across the Middle East and wider international markets. Previous Middle East or international project experience is welcome, but not essential. More important is a strong design sensibility, good graphic communication skills, curiosity, and a willingness to learn how complex international masterplanning projects are developed and delivered.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supporting the preparation of masterplans, urban design frameworks and spatial strategies;
- Undertaking research, site analysis, precedent studies and baseline reviews;
- Preparing drawings, diagrams, plans, illustrations, reports and presentations;
- Supporting design option testing and concept development;
- Assisting with the preparation of place visions, design narratives and strategic diagrams;
- Supporting the production of design codes, design guidelines, plot sheets and project-specific design material;
- Helping to prepare development schedules, project datasets and supporting technical information;
- Working with Senior Urban Designers, Associates and Project Leads to develop and coordinate project outputs;
- Participating in internal design reviews, team meetings and project workshops;
- Supporting coordination with planners, economists, landscape architects, engineers and other consultants;
- Contributing positively to the design culture of the studio.
The candidate we are looking for will have:
- A degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related discipline;
- Up to 1-3 years of professional urban design and masterplanning experience, or related fields such as architecture and landscape design, although strong recent graduates are also encouraged to apply;
- A clear interest in urban design, placemaking, masterplanning and the design of cities, neighbourhoods and public spaces;
- An interest in working on major Middle Eastern projects;
- Strong design, drawing and graphic communication skills;
- Good written and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to explain design ideas clearly through drawings, diagrams, sketches and presentations;
- A proactive, organised and collaborative approach;
- Willingness to learn and take direction from senior members of the team;
- Ability to work carefully and creatively as part of a project team;
- Previous UK, Middle East or international project experience would be beneficial, but is not essential;
- Fluency in English.
Technical and digital skills
Strong technical and digital design proficiency is expected, including:
- Adobe Creative Cloud;
- AutoCAD and/or Rhino, including 3D modelling;
- Good drawing, layout and presentation skills.
Experience in the following would also be beneficial:
- GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS;
- CAD-to-GIS workflows;
- Rendering software such as V-Ray, Twinmotion or Enscape;
- Grasshopper or other parametric design tools;
- Excel-based schedules or data coordination;
- 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.
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 professional growth. Our London team is at the forefront of transformative urban design projects, particularly in the Middle East, providing employees with unique opportunities to engage in large-scale international developments while honing their skills alongside experienced professionals. As an Employee-Owned Trust, we are committed to creating a supportive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful placemaking initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Urban Designer - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, workshops, and meetups to connect with fellow urban designers and professionals. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can introduce you to someone at Prior + Partners.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a stunning portfolio that highlights your best work in urban design and masterplanning. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing, as this will be your chance to impress the team at Prior + Partners.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Prior + Partners and their projects, especially those in the Middle East. Be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their work and how you can contribute to their exciting projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. This shows initiative and gives you a better chance of standing out in the crowd. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Urban Designer - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure your CV and portfolio highlight your design skills and any relevant experience. We want to see your creativity shine through, so include examples of your best work that relate to urban design and masterplanning.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your skills and interests align with our projects, especially those in the Middle East. It shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate good communication skills, so make sure your ideas are easy to understand. Use bullet points if it helps to break down your experiences and skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prior + Partners
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into Prior + Partners' portfolio, especially their projects in the Middle East. Familiarise yourself with their approach to placemaking and urban design. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your skills align with their work.
✨Showcase Your Design Skills
Prepare a selection of your best design work to share during the interview. Highlight projects that demonstrate your graphic communication skills and your ability to create compelling presentations. Be ready to explain your design process and how you tackle challenges in urban design.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, project workflows, and how they integrate different disciplines. This shows your curiosity and eagerness to learn, which is crucial for a role that involves collaboration across various fields.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactivity
During the interview, share examples of how you've taken initiative in past projects or studies. Whether it’s conducting research, leading a design review, or collaborating with peers, showcasing your proactive nature will resonate well with the team at Prior + Partners.
