Associate Urban Designer
Dubai, UAE
Dubai led studio
A progressive architecture and urban design studio based in Dubai is looking to appoint a talented Associate Urban Designer to strengthen its growing team.
About the Practice:
A progressive architecture and urban design studio based in Dubai is looking to appoint a talented Associate Urban Designer to strengthen its growing team. Known for its context-driven, human-centric approach, the practice specialises in large-scale public realm, mixed-use, and masterplanning projects that balance design quality with strategic urban thinking.
Established over four years ago by a UK-trained architect and former global practice partner, the studio has grown to 25 full-time team members, including architects, architectural assistants, and associates, with specialist freelancers brought in as needed. The team typically runs 3–5 major projects at any time, including a current 400,000 sqft mixed-use scheme in the UAE and several public realm strategies across the region.
The studio is built on a collaborative and design-first ethos, making it a vibrant space for professionals who thrive in multidisciplinary settings and want to contribute to shaping better cities.
Role Overview:
This is a pivotal opportunity for an Associate Urban Designer to lead the development and delivery of urban design and spatial planning projects across the Middle East. As the studio’s first senior hire dedicated to urban design, you will play a key role in defining the design vision for complex sites, driving conceptual and spatial strategies, and supporting the development of an urban design team in the future.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in building the studio’s urban design capability, contributing to projects with significant cultural and civic impact. You will be part of a young, growing studio with a clear design vision and a collaborative culture, with the potential to grow into a future leadership or Associate role. In this position, you will have the chance to influence the studio’s design direction and help shape Dubai’s evolving urban fabric.
Key Responsibilities:
Shape urban design concepts, frameworks, and masterplans for large-scale developments
Client facing and client presentations
Lead design teams through concept, visioning, and spatial planning stages
Collaborate with architecture teams to develop integrated urban solutions
Produce high-quality design presentations, diagrams, models, and illustrative masterplans
Present ideas clearly and confidently to clients and external stakeholders
Contribute to key studio projects ranging from regeneration strategies to new urban districts
Help mentor junior designers and support studio-wide design quality
Stay abreast of global urbanism trends and apply best practices to local contexts
Qualifications & Experience:
Degree in Urban Design, Architecture, or a closely related discipline
Minimum 7+ years of experience in an urban design role, ideally with experience in the Middle East or global emerging regions
Proven ability to lead concept and early-stage design for large-scale public realm or mixed-use projects
Strong graphic and visual communication skills, with proficiency in Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Suite; working knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit is a bonus
Strong design sensibility paired with strategic urban thinking
Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills
Demonstrated ability to lead design coordination and client-facing meetings
Offer:
Competitive tax-free salary (commensurate with experience)
Discretionary annual bonus (paid in January)
Healthcare allowance
22 days paid leave + UAE public holidays
Visa sponsorship and full relocation support: flights and accommodation provided for initial 3–4 weeks plus a relocation lump sum
Office located in Dubai Design District
5-day in-office working week
