Senior Associate - Landscape Architecture

AECOM; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced Senior Associate - Landscape Architecture to lead the conceptualization, design, and delivery of landscape projects across commercial and residential developments. You will collaborate with architects, engineers and clients to balance aesthetic vision with functional excellence and environmental sustainability, contributing to Abu Dhabi's urban landscape.

This role demands strong leadership, ability to manage multiple medium-scale projects, oversee

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of professional experience in landscape architecture.
• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Working towards professional membership in Urban Design or Architecture (e.g., RIBA).

Responsibilities

• Leads strategy and innovation related to products, processes, standards and methodologies to achieve market, customer and industry goals.
• Manages, coordinates and leads multiple medium-sized landscape design projects independently with less oversight. Structures teams for these projects with clear understanding of the project’s roles and responsibilities. Prepares deployment based on the fee provided for review with the senior team.
• Operates as a technical lead for medium-scale landscape projects with a strong capability to coordinate multiple disciplines and communicate project requirements.
• Leads client interface/meetings and manages project’s contractual requirements. Oversees and coordinates project deliverables with client, consultants/subs and other teams. Provides clear solutions for delivery.
• Plans and conducts design and creative review sessions for ongoing projects and competitions.
• Aware of all public realm design standards and applies them across landscape projects.
• Contributes to the studio design ethos discussions and design drivers.
• Bridges between delivering design ideas and delivering to budget. Understands client objectives and steers design thinking accordingly.
• Leading and delivering entire technical packages independently with review from senior staff.
• Full understanding of the planting and irrigation requirements/standards and guidelines per region.
• Leads and delivers designs independently with review from senior staff.
• Actively engages in promoting innovative design solutions and influence peers and reports.
• Identifies new potential areas of innovation and improvements in design ideas and presentations that the landscape team can benefit from. Promotes innovation and change in the landscape design graphics across projects and documents the same for wider team use.
• Promotes the use of new innovative digital tools in landscape design projects and engage in internal research and development.
• Fair knowledge of the market and helps in reviewing landscape cost plans on projects.
• Organizes internal libraries and updates Landscape capabilities statements and project sheets for ongoing/completed projects.
• Gain experiences on site for an ongoing landscape-built projects and resolves issues on sites.
• Assists and updates FINANCE REPORT/ PROJECT FINANCIAL STATUS on projects; writse change orders/variation orders for the project they are responsible for in liaison with Project Manager and Project Director.
• Provides updates for weekly studio/resourcing meetings.
• Identifies skills gaps and helps in the sources, interviews and recruitment of new joiners.
• Manages, coordinates and delivers landscape bids and proposals while tailor technical approach, methodologies and delivery structure. Prepares and coordinates commercial aspects of bids in line with project expectations.
• Be an advocate of quality procedures applicable to the Landscape Design Technical practice group and apply continuously thorough self-checks and reviews of deliverables before being shared. Reviews and checks deliverables as per QA/QC requirements
• Provide professional mentorship/guidance to junior staff members.

Skills

Landscape architecture

Project delivery

Client liaison

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Description:

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Associate - Landscape Architecture to join our dynamic design team in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In this role, you will lead the conceptualization, design, and delivery of innovative landscape architecture projects across commercial, residential, and master-planned developments. You will work collaboratively with architects, engineers, and clients to create compelling outdoor environments that balance aesthetic vision with functional excellence and environmental sustainability. This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career while contributing to Abu Dhabi's evolving urban landscape.

Responsibilities:

• Leads strategy and innovation related to products, processes, standards and methodologies to achieve market, customer and industry goals.

• Manages, coordinates and leads multiple medium-sized landscape design projects independently with less oversight. Structures teams for these projects with clear understanding of the project’s roles and responsibilities. Prepares deployment based on the fee provided for review with the senior team.

• Operates as a technical lead for medium-scale landscape projects with a strong capability to coordinate multiple disciplines and communicate project requirements.

• Leads client interface/meetings and manages project’s contractual requirements. Oversees and coordinates project deliverables with client, consultants/subs and other teams. Provides clear solutions for delivery.

• Plans and conducts design and creative review sessions for ongoing projects and competitions.

• Aware of all public realm design standards and applies them across landscape projects.

• Contributes to the studio design ethos discussions and design drivers.

• Bridges between delivering design ideas and delivering to budget. Understands client objectives and steers design thinking accordingly.

• Leading and delivering entire technical packages independently with review from senior staff.

• Full understanding of the planting and irrigation requirements/standards and guidelines per region.

• Leads and delivers designs independently with review from senior staff.

• Actively engages in promoting innovative design solutions and influence peers and reports.

• Identifies new potential areas of innovation and improvements in design ideas and presentations that the landscape team can benefit from. Promotes innovation and change in the landscape design graphics across projects and documents the same for wider team use.

• Promotes the use of new innovative digital tools in landscape design projects and engage in internal research and development.

• Fair knowledge of the market and helps in reviewing landscape cost plans on projects.

• Organizes internal libraries and updates Landscape capabilities statements and project sheets for ongoing/completed projects.

• Gain experiences on site for an ongoing landscape-built projects and resolves issues on sites.

• Assists and updates FINANCE REPORT/ PROJECT FINANCIAL STATUS on projects; writse change orders/variation orders for the project they are responsible for in liaison with Project Manager and Project Director.

• Provides updates for weekly studio/resourcing meetings.

• Identifies skills gaps and helps in the sources, interviews and recruitment of new joiners.

• Manages, coordinates and delivers landscape bids and proposals while tailor technical approach, methodologies and delivery structure. Prepares and coordinates commercial aspects of bids in line with project expectations.

• Be an advocate of quality procedures applicable to the Landscape Design Technical practice group and apply continuously thorough self-checks and reviews of deliverables before being shared. Reviews and checks deliverables as per QA/QC requirements

• Provide professional mentorship/guidance to junior staff members.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12years of professional experience in landscape architecture, with demonstrated expertise in project design and delivery
• Bachelors degree in the relevant discipline field. Masters degree preferred.
• Working towards professional membership in Urban Design or Architecture e.g. RIBA or equivalent in the relevant discipline degree.
• ping junior design professionals

**Please note: Applicants should upload a portfolio demonstrating landscape architecture design work along with their application.**

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

• State/Province: Abu Dhabi
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM MIDDLE EAST LIMITED ABU DHABI
• Business Line: U&P
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AE - Abu Dhabi, UAE - International

Requirements: