Senior Urban Designer

Job description / Role

The Senior Urban Designer will provide technical and professional leadership in the execution of master planning projects in UAE and the wider region, with a particular expertise in creative concept and detailed master planning. The candidate would play a key role in the development of the Atkins’ master planning business in the UAE and region. This individual will also support the UAE team in business development initiatives, bid preparation and marketing.

• Lead the project team and their own design team proactively and to coordinate with disciplines including other sub consultants and other specialists
• Coordinate with and supervise their own team of Urban Design and Architectural technician on a day-to-day basis to achieve excellent design quality and documentation, and match or better Atkins QA standards
• Report to Head of Department on a regular basis regarding progress, design, quality, resources, changes, site issues, planning issues etc.
• Support in the preparation of technical and fee proposals for master planning and urban design projects and other major projects where appropriate;
• Responsible for the management of teams and meeting agreed budgets;

Job Summary:
To be a member of the Urban Design team in the UAE and provide services to external and internal clients as part of the Atkins’ Middle East urban design team. To be involved in strategic planning studies, urban master planning and urban design and public realm projects in the Middle East.

We offer an excellent package which includes:
• A competitive salary
• Accommodation allowance;
• Transportation allowance;
• 22 calendar days annual leave
• Medical and life insurance cover
• Company gratuity scheme
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual flight allowance to point of origin
• Employee Well-Being Programme – 24 hour free advice on financial, legal and family care specialists and also access to personal health, fitness and nutrition consultants

Requirements

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in urban design (preferred), architecture or landscape;
• Minimum 8 years solid experience in master planning and urban design projects;
• Preferable to have relevant experience in the UAE, as well as the Middle East with an understanding of Emirati and Arabic urban morphology and culture, housing typologies, and/or appropriate design standards in the Emirate and the region;
• Ability to convey urban design and master planning concepts and solutions in real time to clients and others using drawings, freehand sketches and other mixed media material.
• Sound knowledge of all necessary software programmes including as a minimum CAD, Adobe Design Suites, Sketch up and MS Office. Additionally a good understanding of GIS and Revit capability is preferable.

Behavioural Competencies
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, be a team player and have a customer focus;
• Must have previous consultancy experience and technical management skills;
• Must have excellent graphic and oral expression capability and be very comfortable with the core of his/her skill set in urban planning and design;
• Ability to solve problems by thinking laterally and be able to understand the needs and requirements to provide design solutions in context;
• Must be able to work in a multicultural team and manage challenging multicultural client relationships;
• Able to be flexible and adapt to working in a demanding Middle East environment including the need to travel when required.

About the Company

Atkins is one of the leading providers of professional, technology based consultancy and support services to the industry, commerce and governments in all of the worlds major economies. With over 17,000 staff operating in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas, Atkins has a broad range of skills and resources and provides Clients with a comprehensive service throughout the entire life cycle of the projects in the built environment.

We aim to be the international first choice supplier of technical and integrated services. Shaped by our customers' needs, our vision is to:

• focus on quality
• seek world class design and excellence
• strive to add value
• be flexible to the evolving needs of a changing society

Atkins first carried out design and supervision commissions in the Gulf area in 1967. From its regional head office in Dubai, U.A.E. Atkins Middle East now employs over 2000 staff located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Oman (Muscat ), Qatar (Doha) Bahrain (Manama), Kuwait (Kuwait City) and India (Bangalore).