Senior Urban Designer

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development opportunities

Work-life balance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Urban Designer to join a multidisciplinary team in Polokwane, Limpopo. You will lead urban design strategies, master plans, and public realm work, collaborating with architects, engineers, and community stakeholders to deliver integrated outcomes.

The role supports hybrid work arrangements and requires strong presentation, facilitation, and technical leadership to drive sustainable urban development.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in urban design or urban planning.
• Proven leadership of urban design projects from concept to implementation.
• Strong portfolio of delivered projects.
• Experience with hybrid work environments and remote collaboration is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of urban design strategies, master plans, and guidelines.
• Conduct urban analysis, site assessments, and feasibility studies.
• Create visualisations including master plans and conceptual designs.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, planners and stakeholders.
• Facilitate public workshops and present proposals to diverse audiences.
• Ensure compliance with planning policies, regulations, and sustainability principles.
• Manage project timelines, budgets and client relationships.
• Mentor junior designers and share technical expertise.
• Stay informed on global trends in urbanism and placemaking.

Skills

Urban design

Stakeholder engagement

Public consultation

Design leadership

Autodesk AutoCAD

ArcGIS

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Regulatory understanding

Education

Master's degree in Urban Design/Urban Planning/Architecture or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

ArcGIS

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent urban planning and architectural consultancy, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Urban Designer to join their multidisciplinary team in Polokwane, Limpopo. This role involves shaping the future development of urban environments, focusing on creating sustainable, vibrant, and well-connected communities. You will lead the design and planning of urban regeneration projects, master plans, and public realm strategies. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of urban planning principles, a strong design vision, and excellent stakeholder engagement skills. This hybrid position allows for flexibility, balancing collaborative work in the Polokwane office with remote work capabilities. You will play a critical role in influencing the built environment, contributing to projects that enhance the quality of life for residents and foster economic growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of urban design strategies, master plans, and design guidelines for public and private sector clients.
• Conduct urban analysis, site assessments, and feasibility studies for development projects.
• Create compelling visualisations, including master plans, site layouts, and conceptual designs.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, planners, and community stakeholders to achieve integrated design outcomes.
• Facilitate public consultation workshops and present design proposals to diverse audiences.
• Ensure designs comply with planning policies, environmental regulations, and sustainability principles.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and client relationships effectively.
• Mentor junior urban designers and contribute to the team's technical expertise.
• Stay informed about global trends in urbanism, placemaking, and sustainable development.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in urban design or urban planning, with a strong portfolio of delivered projects.
• Demonstrated experience in leading urban design projects from concept to implementation.
• Proficiency in urban design software (e.g., AutoCAD, ArcGIS, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Strong understanding of planning legislation, development processes, and sustainability frameworks relevant to South Africa.
• Exceptional graphic communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in hybrid work environments and managing remote collaboration is advantageous.
• Professional accreditation (e.g., SA planner, SACAP) is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including opportunities for professional development and participation in high-profile urban regeneration initiatives.
• This hybrid role provides flexibility and the chance to contribute significantly to the shaping of urban landscapes.
• You will work within a supportive and innovative team environment.
• We value work-life balance and encourage continuous learning.
• Join our dynamic team in Polokwane, Limpopo and make a lasting impact on urban development.