My client a leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi requires an Associate Urban Designer to lead the creation of innovative, sustainable, and commercially successful urban environments across a portfolio of major residential, mixed-use, waterfront, hospitality, and destination devel...
Additional Information
The Role My client a leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi requires an Associate Urban Designer to lead the creation of innovative, sustainable, and commercially successful urban environments across a portfolio of major residential, mixed-use, waterfront, hospitality, and destination developments. Working within the Master Planning and Design team, this role is responsible for transforming development strategies into high-quality urban design solutions that create vibrant, people-focused communities. The successful candidate will lead the urban design process from early visioning through concept and master planning, ensuring projects balance placemaking, commercial objectives, infrastructure integration, sustainability, and long-term value. Key Responsibilities Urban Design Leadership * Lead the development of urban design concepts for large-scale master-planned communities, mixed-use districts, waterfront developments, and destination projects. * Translate development objectives into innovative urban frameworks, neighbourhood structures, and place-making strategies. * Develop land-use plans, movement networks, density strategies, block layouts, and public realm concepts that support commercially successful developments. * Establish the character, identity, and spatial quality of projects through high-quality urban design. Master Planning & Design Development * Lead projects from visioning and concept design through master planning and planning approval stages. * Prepare and review urban design frameworks, design guidelines, public realm strategies, and development principles. * Test development scenarios to optimise land use, density, connectivity, and commercial performance. * Ensure urban design proposals respond effectively to planning policies, infrastructure requirements, environmental considerations, and market demands. Consultant & Stakeholder Management * Manage and coordinate international urban design, architecture, landscape, transport, and infrastructure consultants. * Lead design workshops, visioning sessions, and multidisciplinary coordination meetings. * Review consultant submissions to ensure compliance with approved design strategies and project objectives. * Prepare consultant briefs, scopes of work, and technical requirements for urban design commissions. Collaboration & Project Integration * Work closely with Development, Architecture, Landscape, Infrastructure, Engineering, Commercial, and Project Delivery teams. * Ensure urban design solutions integrate effectively with architecture, transport, utilities, sustainability, and delivery strategies. * Balance design excellence with commercial viability, programme requirements, and construction considerations. Presentation & Design Governance * Present urban design strategies and recommendations to executive leadership, government authorities, and key stakeholders. * Support design governance through structured design reviews and quality assurance processes. * Ensure projects maintain consistency with approved visions, planning principles, and corporate design standards. Innovation & Best Practice * Research international precedents, emerging planning trends, and innovative urban development practices. * Promote sustainable design, walkability, smart city principles, and resilient community planning. * Contribute to the continuous improvement of urban design standards, processes, and methodologies across the organisation. Team Leadership * Mentor and develop junior urban designers and support the growth of design capability within the team. * Foster a collaborative, creative, and high-performing design culture. * Share knowledge and promote design excellence across multidisciplinary teams.
Requirements Qualifications * Bachelors or Masters Degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, or a related discipline. * Professional membership with a recognised planning or architectural institution is advantageous. Experience * 12-15 years experience in urban design, master planning, or city planning. * Minimum of 3 years of UAE Experience * Proven experience delivering large-scale master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, waterfront projects, destination developments, or major urban regeneration schemes. * Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant teams from concept through planning approval. * Background working for a leading developer, master developer, or internationally recognised urban design or architectural consultancy. * Exceptional urban design and master planning expertise. * Strong understanding of placemaking, walkability, public realm design, neighbourhood planning, and urban character. * Ability to translate strategic development objectives into practical, high-quality urban design solutions. * Excellent design review and critical thinking skills. * Strong graphic communication and presentation abilities, including sketching, diagrams, and visual storytelling.
About the company Blake Anderson is a boutique consultancy based in the UK, with a satellite office in Dubai. Specialising in Technical and Construction Recruitment, Blake Anderson provides a superior service to clients and candidates within the construction and technical sectors. We concentrate on placing professionals throughout the world, focusing mainly on the Middle East and Asia, drawing on both the global and local markets for highly qualified professionals. In order to attract the best talent, we invest in various high-end advertising mediums. With a database of 1,000s of candidates, our experienced consultants have a wealth of recruitment knowledge and have a consultative approach at all times, ensuring a second to none service.
Interested in this position? Click the button below to apply.
