Urban Design Associate - Masterplanning / Architecture Led

STANTEC; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design and consultancy firm in the United Kingdom is seeking an Urban Design Associate to help shape quality communities through innovative masterplans. Responsibilities include driving business growth, managing projects, and mentoring junior talent. Candidates should have substantial experience in large-scale developments and be proficient in design software. This role offers competitive compensation and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension plan

Holidays

Free private medical insurance

Discounted gym membership

Industry leading training and development

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in large-scale UK development masterplans.
• Confidently present to diverse audiences.
• Proficient in key design software.

Responsibilities

• Drive business growth by generating new work opportunities.
• Lead UK projects, supporting planning applications.
• Manage small teams and mentor junior members.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Creativity

Technical expertise in Urban Design

Education

Relevant qualification in Urban Design

Tools

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Microsoft Office

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Urban Design Associate (Masterplan /Architecture led) to join our growing team in Reading . This is a rare opportunity to plan and deliver projects of the highest quality, making a real difference to the communities around you, whilst also enjoying fantastic progression opportunities. You will be an integral part of our innovative inter‑disciplinary environment and share responsibilities as part of the management team in winning new projects, developing the culture and design ethos of the studio, alongside supporting and actively mentoring and developing the junior talent in our team and across the wider design business.

About The Team:

Our multi‑disciplinary team based at The Blade, Abbey Square in Reading brings together expertise in Urban Design, Town Planning, Architecture, Graphics, and Landscape. We work in a vibrant, open‑plan office designed to foster creativity and collaboration, with breakout spaces and dedicated drawing areas that reflect the inclusive and innovative culture we live by at Stantec.

Typical projects include:

Major residential‑led, mixed‑use development masterplans and layouts, and public realm work of the highest quality. This includes new communities, new settlements, urban extensions as well as town and city centre masterplanning, and regeneration.

Our clients include:

Landowners and promoters, residential developers (including housebuilders), local authorities and government agencies providing an enviable and loyal client list. Projects are typically those considered by clients to be more complex and challenging, needing the innovative and creative technical expertise and approach that we pride ourselves on.

Responsibilities:

• Drive business growth by generating new work opportunities, building client relationships, and attending networking events.
• Prepare fee proposals and actively contribute to winning work for the studio.
• Promote our expertise across the business and externally, including marketing services on digital platforms and contributing to thought leadership pieces.
• Bring creativity and innovation to every aspect of your design work and project involvement.
• Lead UK projects, supporting planning applications and masterplans for new communities ranging from 200 to 10,000 homes.
• Develop visionary, place‑led concepts for new settlements and town extensions, ensuring designs are both exciting and deliverable.
• Work confidently across scales, from strategic frameworks to detailed development parcels and building footprints.
• Produce masterplan drawings, design strategies, and detailed illustrations in both 2D and 3D to clearly communicate design principles.
• Create indicative and proving layouts to test feasibility and capacity using CAD and hand‑drawn techniques.
• Generate urban design concepts with robust design rationales, balancing creativity with technical constraints.
• Produce high‑quality rendered drawings, by hand or using design software, employing a variety of techniques.
• Develop land‑use strategies and development schedules, ensuring effective integration of uses on site.
• Lead the production of Design and Access Statements and Vision Documents, combining written and graphic outputs, and manage coordination with consultants and client teams.
• Take ownership of comprehensive Design Codes and Guidelines, setting clear standards for delivery.
• Manage small teams and mentor junior team members, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Engage with communities and stakeholders through design workshops and public exhibitions.
• Deliver outstanding work to brief and within deadlines, maintaining attention to detail and design excellence.

To Succeed in This Role, You Will:

• Show clear leadership and management skills, with the business development acumen to help lead the studio and contribute to its positive financial performance.
• Bring substantial experience in large‑scale UK development masterplans, including new settlements and urban extensions, within an Urban Design or Masterplanning role.
• Have significant consultancy experience, managing small teams and leading cross‑disciplinary projects.
• Demonstrate strong project management capabilities, including leading the production of Design and Access Statements and other document outputs.
• Be confident working at both strategic and detailed scales, combining meticulous attention to detail with the ability to see the bigger picture and balance design quality with commercial realities.
• Confidently present to diverse audiences, including clients and large multi‑disciplinary consultancy teams.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and visually, with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Be proficient in key design software, including AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and Microsoft Office.
• Produce high‑quality hand‑drawn sketches to complement digital outputs.
• Lead workshops and build consensus among multiple stakeholder groups, demonstrating strong facilitation and team‑working skills.
• Work independently and manage your own time, delivering projects to tight deadlines.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car for site visits and client meetings.

Qualifications:

• Hold a relevant qualification in Urban Design, ideally complemented by an architectural qualification or experience, and demonstrate a genuine passion for creating high‑quality, sustainable communities.

Why Join Us?

• Our People Culture: We're a close knit team and very proud of our friendly and collaborative environment.
• Awards: Stantec were awarded the Stantec named ‘Best place to work’ and ‘International consulting firm of the year’ at NCE Awards at the 2024 NCE awards as well as being consistently recognised in the top 10 Corporate Knights most sustainable companies in the world.
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, pension plan, holidays, free private medical insurance, discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Flexible / Hybrid working arrangements.
• Great Projects in all of our sectors across the UK&I.
• Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions.

To hear what some of our employees say about life at Stantec, please click on My Stantec Stories.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports and develops world‑class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.