Senior Urban Designer - Master Planning

Parsons

Dubai

On-site

AED 245,520 - 379,440

Full time

14 days+

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Job summary

Parsons in Dubai is seeking a Senior Urban Designer – Master Planning to support major city-shaping development projects, prepare master plans, develop conceptual layouts, and review planning standards. The role requires a creative and technically strong designer with progressive experience in urban planning, architecture, development frameworks, and regulatory coordination.

Candidates should have a Bachelor's in Urban Planning, Architecture, or Urban Design, 7 years of progressive experience,

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Urban Design or closely related field.
7+ years of progressive experience in urban planning, urban design, master planning, architecture, or development planning.
Experience producing master plans, conceptual designs, illustrative layouts, urban frameworks, and planning reports.
Strong understanding of local statutes, planning rules, regulations, and approval considerations.

Responsibilities

Perform complex urban planning and urban design tasks for major development and master planning projects.
Manage sensitive planning assignments involving research, analysis, design input, and stakeholder coordination.
Prepare and support master plans, conceptual designs, illustrative layouts, diagrams, and urban development frameworks.
Gather, analyze data related to economic, social, physical, environmental, and spatial factors affecting development projects.
Review local and international planning standards to ensure outputs meet compliance and quality.

Skills

Urban design

Master planning

Town planning

City planning

Urban planning

Development planning

Conceptual design

Illustrative layouts

Spatial analysis

Planning research

Stakeholder coordination

Multidisciplinary coordination

Design presentations

Technical writing

Data analysis

AICP

RTPI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Urban Design

Master's degree preferred

AICP/RTPI certification advantageous

Job description

Position

Senior Urban Designer - Master Planning

Location

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry

Architecture and Planning

Function

Town-City Planning

Experience

7 years in urban planning, urban design, master planning, or development planning

Job Type

Full-time

Job Overview

Senior Urban Designer – Master Planning in Dubai is an Architecture and Planning opportunity for an experienced urban design professional who can support major city-shaping development projects, prepare master plans, develop conceptual layouts, review planning standards, and deliver high-quality reports and presentations. This role is suited for a creative and technically strong designer with progressive experience in urban planning, architecture, development frameworks, local regulations, and multidisciplinary coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Perform complex urban planning and urban design tasks for major development and master planning projects.
Manage sensitive planning assignments involving research, analysis, design input, and stakeholder coordination.
Prepare and support master plans, conceptual designs, illustrative layouts, diagrams, and urban development frameworks.
Gather, compile, and analyze data related to economic, social, physical, environmental, and spatial factors affecting development projects.
Review local and international planning standards to ensure urban design outputs remain compliant and professionally robust.
Monitor project deliverables for alignment with planning rules, design objectives, client requirements, and government development mandates.
Develop technical inputs for high-quality plans, reports, presentations, design narratives, and planning documentation.
Support the translation of master plan objectives into practical work plans, design recommendations, and development strategies.
Maintain coordination with external agencies, government stakeholders, consultants, and project teams involved in planning and development processes.
Build meaningful working relationships with stakeholders to support shared understanding and smoother planning approvals.
Review urban design proposals, layouts, and development concepts to identify quality, compliance, and coordination issues.
Contribute creative design ideas that improve land use, connectivity, public realm quality, urban character, accessibility, and overall development value.
Reconcile conflicting planning demands by considering technical constraints, stakeholder priorities, regulatory requirements, and project objectives.
Prepare clear written inputs and oral presentations for clients, authorities, and internal teams.
Support project leadership by performing in a lead capacity on assigned planning and design tasks.
Coordinate with architects, planners, engineers, landscape designers, mobility specialists, and other technical disciplines.
Help ensure planning deliverables are visually clear, technically accurate, and suitable for decision‑making, review, and approval.
Stay informed on current urban design practices, planning trends, smart city thinking, sustainable development, and regional design expectations.

Ideal Profile

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, or a closely related field.
Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in urban planning, urban design, master planning, architecture, or development planning.
Experience producing master plans, conceptual designs, illustrative layouts, urban frameworks, and planning reports.
Strong creative thinking with the ability to develop practical and visually compelling urban design solutions.
In‑depth understanding of current urban planning and design best practices.
Thorough understanding of local statutes, planning rules, regulations, and approval considerations.
Ability to represent diverse stakeholder interests during the development planning and design process.
Strong capability to reconcile conflicting demands while maintaining design quality and project direction.
Excellent written and oral communication skills for reports, presentations, workshops, and stakeholder discussions.
Proven ability to perform in a lead capacity on planning or urban design projects.
Master's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or a related discipline is preferred.
Professional certifications such as AICP or RTPI are an advantage.
Strong analytical ability for reviewing economic, social, physical, and spatial development factors.
Comfortable working with multidisciplinary teams on complex urban development assignments.
Organized approach to research, design production, documentation, coordination, and deadline management.
Good awareness of Dubai's urban development environment, infrastructure growth, and planning approval expectations is beneficial.

Skills Set