Dubai, UAE
Senior urban designer
at FRM Urban
FRM Urban is hiring a senior urban designer to join its team in Dubai.
About us
FRM Urban is a design firm committed to shaping vibrant, sustainable communities. This is an opportunity to take on a visible role in high-profile regional projects, with direct access to decision-makers and the ability to influence real urban change. You will be part of a collaborative environment that values design rigour, thoughtful strategy, and long-term impact. We are now seeking a senior urban designer to join our team.
Job overview
As a Senior Urban Designer at FRM Urban, you will fulfil an important role in leading the design of large to medium scale projects ranging from smaller site planning efforts to masterplans for neighbourhoods and city districts. The role will primarily involve providing direction and design leadership to guide internal design teams, coordinating with consultants and communicating and presenting to clients. As a senior member of staff we expect the senior urban designer to work closely with the FRM partners and to also be able to represent the FRM partners at meetings on the ground in Dubai or the wider region as required.
Strong design and technical skills, mastery of design tools, including 3D modelling and rapid in-house visualisation are important aspects of the role which involves both providing direction and reviewing work prepared by others, as well as pro-actively moving design forward and participating in the preparation of deliverables.
Required skills and expertise:
- a professional degree in architecture or landscape architecture is essential as well as masters degree in urban design or relevant work experience at the urban scale
- demonstrated interest and professional experience in large-scale master planning, mixed-use developments (between six and ten years’ experience)
- exhibit initiative, process innovation, problem-solving, and decision-making quality
- attention to detail and accuracy
- proficiency in design software, including AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, Lumion, parametric and rendering software, along with expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office
- familiarity with GIS, Revit, and other technical tools is advantageous
- strong graphic, visualisation, and rendering skills are advantageous
- research and analytical abilities to inform creative solutions and support data-driven design approaches
Position responsibilities:
- lead multiple projects as the key designer, interacting with the client and managing teams and consultants
- generate planning and design ideas, conduct research, document precedents and scale studies, develop diagrams, render site plans, and contribute to all manner of graphic and visual production
- apply FRM Urban protocols for file management, planning and design processes, and quality control standards for deliverables
- demonstrate an understanding of planning and urban design concepts, building typologies and critical dimensions, utility and infrastructure systems, land development considerations and planning/zoning codes, and phasing and implementation techniques
- develop and enrich design concepts through knowledge, research, and proficient application of technical and visualisation skills and effectively use software and appropriate analogue and digital tools to design and document at all project phases
- apply a strong conceptual design ability to projects of varying complexity and sites of divergent scales; integrate interdisciplinary criteria to effectively move forward the planning and urban design aspects of complex projects
- effectively communicate internally through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means
- actively collaborate at a project team level by developing, communicating, and critically and constructively evaluating ideas
- manage own time and workload to meet project task deadlines and commitments with regular interaction and direction from project leaders and team members
- bring energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and a disciplined work ethic
- mentor junior staff and contribute to strategic discussions on urban design frameworks, planning policy, and development feasibility
CV, cover letter and portfolio need to be submitted for this design position. Applications without work samples will not be reviewed.
To apply for this role please fill in the attached application form.