Senior Urban Designer

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote working arrangement

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Global design consultancy exposure

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Urban Designer for a remote-first role, shaping cities from a global design practice. You will lead large-scale development projects, craft master plans, and guide multidisciplinary teams toward people-centered, sustainable outcomes.

You will collaborate with planners, architects, and engineers, engage with stakeholders, and mentor junior designers while staying abreast of industry best practices to deliver impactful urban visions for diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in urban design and planning with a strong portfolio.
• Proven experience leading complex urban design projects from concept to implementation.
• Familiarity with community engagement processes and stakeholder facilitation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and development of large-scale urban planning and design projects.
• Develop master plans, urban design frameworks, and detailed design guidelines.
• Conduct site analyses, research, and feasibility studies for urban development opportunities.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders to build consensus and gather input.
• Prepare high-quality visual materials including plans, diagrams, renderings, and reports.
• Collaborate with architects, landscape architects, engineers, and other consultants.
• Ensure designs are sustainable, inclusive, and context-responsive.
• Mentor junior urban designers and support team development.
• Stay abreast of international best practices and innovative approaches.
• Contribute to business development, including proposals and client relationships.

Skills

Urban design

Stakeholder engagement

Placemaking

Public consultation

Team mentorship

Graphic communication

Education

Master's degree in Urban Design / Urban Planning

Tools

AutoCAD

ArcGIS

SketchUp

Rhino

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious urban planning and design consultancy committed to creating sustainable, vibrant, and resilient communities, is looking for a highly experienced Senior Urban Designer to join their remote-first team. This role is critical in shaping the physical and social fabric of cities and towns. You will lead the design and planning of complex urban development projects, focusing on creating integrated, people-centered environments. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of urban planning principles, spatial design, public realm strategies, and community engagement processes. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of planners, architects, landscape architects, and engineers, and engage with stakeholders, government agencies, and communities to bring transformative urban visions to life. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the built environment from a remote capacity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and development of large-scale urban planning and design projects.
• Develop master plans, urban design frameworks, and detailed design guidelines.
• Conduct site analyses, research, and feasibility studies for urban development opportunities.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders, including community groups, government officials, and developers, to build consensus and gather input.
• Prepare high-quality visual materials, including plans, diagrams, renderings, and reports.
• Collaborate effectively with architects, landscape architects, engineers, and other consultants.
• Ensure designs are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to social, economic, and environmental contexts.
• Mentor and guide junior urban designers and contribute to the team's professional development.
• Stay abreast of international best practices, emerging trends, and innovative approaches in urban design and planning.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing and client relationship management.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in urban design and planning, with a strong portfolio of completed projects.
• Proven experience leading complex urban design projects from concept to implementation.
• Deep understanding of urban morphology, spatial planning, placemaking, and sustainable urbanism.
• Proficiency in urban design software, including AutoCAD, ArcGIS, SketchUp, Rhino, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional graphic communication and presentation skills.
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience with community engagement processes is essential.
• Familiarity with South African planning legislation and environmental frameworks is advantageous.

Benefits

• Fully remote working arrangement offering exceptional flexibility and autonomy.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on significant and impactful urban development projects.
• Be part of a forward-thinking, internationally recognized design consultancy.
• Continuous professional development and growth opportunities.
• Collaborative and supportive virtual team environment.
• Contribute to shaping the future of urban living.