Senior Associate Landscape - Design

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM Middle East Ltd is looking for a Senior Associate in Landscape Design to lead landscape architecture projects across Dubai and the Middle East. This position involves managing all aspects of large-scale landscape projects, ensuring compliance with design standards, and cultivating strong client relationships.

With 12–15 years of experience and a strong portfolio, the ideal candidate will contribute to resilient and climate-appropriate designs. This senior role also emphasizes mentorship, multidisciplinary coordination, and project delivery excellence.

Join us in shaping sustainable environments that influence public realm projects.

Qualifications

• 12–15 years of professional experience in landscape architecture, public realm design and large-scale project delivery.
• Strong portfolio covering complex landscape projects, public spaces, mixed-use developments, urban environments.
• Proven leadership in design quality, interdisciplinary coordination, technical delivery and team mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead landscape architecture projects from concept through to IFC stages.
• Set design direction for large-scale landscape projects.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, risks and client expectations.

Skills

Landscape architecture

Public realm design

Large-scale landscape projects

Climate-responsive design

Water-wise landscape strategy

Resilient landscape planning

Concept, schematic and detailed design

IFC documentation

Design leadership

Client engagement

Authority coordination

Project delivery management

Technical report writing

Revizto

Rhino

Grasshopper

BIM workflows

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture

Tools

Revizto

Rhino

Grasshopper

Job description

Role Snapshot

Senior Associate – Landscape Design
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Architecture and Planning
Function: Landscaping
Experience: 12–15 years
Job Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

• Lead landscape architecture projects across visioning, concept design, schematic design, detailed design, and IFC stages.
• Set design direction for large‑scale landscape and public realm projects while maintaining a focus on design excellence, constructability and long‑term value.
• Develop climate‑appropriate, water‑wise and resilient landscape strategies tailored to arid and semi‑arid Middle East conditions.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risk and change control across multiple concurrent design and delivery work‑streams.
• Review design outputs to ensure alignment with project briefs, client expectations, budgets, programmes and company quality standards.
• Coordinate closely with urban design, architecture, civil engineering, structural engineering, MEP, environmental and cost‑management teams.
• Oversee technical deliverables and confirm that digital standards, design workflows and documentation requirements are followed.
• Lead internal and external design presentations, manage feedback and guide decisions that protect quality, scope and client satisfaction.
• Navigate regional authority requirements, approvals, permitting processes and compliance expectations for landscape and public realm projects.
• Conduct regular project reviews to evaluate progress, design quality, delivery risks and alignment with client objectives.
• Prepare and review technical reports, feasibility studies, strategic frameworks, design narratives and landscape documentation.
• Mentor multidisciplinary team members and provide guidance that strengthens technical quality, design thinking and project delivery discipline.
• Prepare and deliver internal or external training sessions to improve team capability and knowledge sharing.
• Support implementation of digital tools, BIM‑related processes and workflow improvements to increase efficiency and consistency.
• Collaborate with regional teams to access specialist expertise, share resources and improve project outcomes across the Middle East portfolio.
• Maintain strong client relationships by leading design conversations, responding to feedback and ensuring a professional project experience.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture.
• 12–15 years of professional experience in landscape architecture, public realm design and large‑scale project delivery.
• Strong portfolio covering complex landscape projects, public spaces, mixed‑use developments, urban environments and regional design assignments.
• Proven leadership in design quality, interdisciplinary coordination, technical delivery and team mentoring.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects from concept through detailed design and IFC documentation.
• Strong understanding of climate‑responsive landscaping, water‑wise design, planting strategies, constructability and resilient public realm solutions.
• Experience navigating regional authority processes, approvals, permitting and compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, risks, change requirements and client expectations.
• Proficiency in Revizto, Rhino and Grasshopper.
• Familiarity with BIM, digital workflows, technical documentation standards and multidisciplinary coordination platforms.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for client meetings, leadership reviews, design workshops and stakeholder discussions.
• Practical ability to balance design ambition with technical feasibility, project value and delivery requirements.

Skills Set

• Landscape architecture
• Public realm design
• Large‑scale landscape projects
• Climate‑responsive design
• Water‑wise landscape strategy
• Resilient landscape planning
• Concept, schematic and detailed design
• IFC documentation
• Design leadership
• Client engagement
• Authority coordination
• Project delivery, scope, schedule, budget and risk management
• Change management
• Technical report writing, feasibility studies and strategic frameworks
• Revizto, Rhino, Grasshopper, BIM workflows and digital design workflows
• Multidisciplinary coordination and team mentoring
• Design quality review

Why Join Us

This opportunity gives a Senior Associate – Landscape Design the chance to influence major public realm and landscape projects across Dubai and the Middle East, where resilient outdoor environments, sustainable urban growth and climate‑appropriate design are increasingly important. The role offers senior‑level exposure to landmark developments, client‑facing design leadership, multidisciplinary project delivery and advanced digital workflows. It is a strong fit for a landscape architecture professional who wants to shape meaningful places while leading teams and delivering high‑quality built environment outcomes.

About the Company

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering planning, design, engineering, landscape architecture, environmental, programme management, construction management and advisory services across major sectors. In Dubai and across the Middle East, AECOM supports public and private clients on complex urban development, public realm, transportation, water, energy, buildings and environmental projects. The company combines regional insight, technical depth and multidisciplinary delivery experience to create sustainable, resilient and high‑performing built environments.