At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative masterplans for major projects in the Middle East.
- Company: Join a creative, employee-owned firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work across London and Dubai teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on large-scale urban developments while working internationally.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in urban design, strong communication skills, and a passion for collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
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;
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.
Salary will be commensurate with experience. 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: International Masterplanning 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 serves as a hub for exciting international projects, particularly in the Middle East, providing employees with unique opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment. As an Employee-Owned Trust, we are committed to ensuring that our team members thrive while contributing to meaningful urban design initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Urban Designer: International Masterplanning
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the industry, especially those who have experience in Middle Eastern projects. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in urban design and masterplanning. Make sure it’s visually appealing and easy to navigate, as this will help you stand out during interviews.
✨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 large-scale developments. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Urban Designer: International Masterplanning
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.
Be Visual:Since strong visual communication is key for this role, include examples of your drawings, diagrams, and presentations. We love seeing how you express your design ideas clearly!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Senior Urban Designer role. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining us at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prior + Partners
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into your past projects, especially those related to large-scale masterplanning. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, particularly if they relate to the Middle East or similar environments.
✨Showcase Your Design Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best work in urban design and masterplanning. Make sure it includes a variety of formats like drawings, diagrams, and presentations to demonstrate your strong visual communication skills.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the company’s values and recent projects. Understanding their approach to urban design and collaboration will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for, showing that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for the team.
✨Practice Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams, prepare for questions about teamwork. Think of examples where you successfully coordinated with others, managed deadlines, and contributed to project success.
