At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative urban design projects across the Middle East, shaping vibrant communities.
- 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: Make a real difference in urban development while working on exciting international projects.
- 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: 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 – Masterplanning Leader (International Projects) 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 international projects, providing employees with unique opportunities for professional growth and development while working on transformative urban design initiatives across the Middle East. With a commitment to employee ownership and a supportive environment, we empower our team members to excel in their careers and contribute meaningfully to impactful placemaking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Urban Designer – Masterplanning Leader (International Projects)
✨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 urban design and masterplanning. Make sure it reflects your ability to lead complex projects and your understanding of multidisciplinary collaboration.
✨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)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Urban Designer role. Highlight your previous projects, especially those in the Middle East, to show us you’ve got the right background.
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your chance to shine! Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your design flair and technical skills. We want to see your best work, so pick pieces that really showcase your abilities in masterplanning and urban design.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for urban design and how your experience aligns with our projects. Don’t forget to mention any relevant international experience!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prior + Partners
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Prior + Partners' recent projects, especially those in the Middle East. Familiarise yourself with their approach to masterplanning and placemaking. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their work.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Be ready to articulate your design process clearly. Prepare examples of past projects where you led the design and coordination phases. Highlight your ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and how you navigated challenges during project delivery.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Brush up on your technical skills, especially in software like AutoCAD, Rhino, and GIS tools. Expect questions that assess your proficiency in these areas. You might be asked to solve a design problem on the spot, so practice articulating your thought process as you work through it.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and upcoming projects. This shows you're not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to and grow within the team.
