Senior Urban Designer

About the Role

SNC-Lavalin Fayez Engineering is seeking a Senior Urban Designer to lead and support major urban development projects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This regular position requires a professional with over 10 years of experience in urban design and master planning. The successful candidate will be instrumental in developing master plans, urban design frameworks, public realm strategies, and placemaking initiatives, while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

Role Overview

The Senior Urban Designer will provide design leadership and technical expertise to deliver sustainable and high-quality urban environments. The role involves ensuring project alignment with objectives and regulatory requirements, from concept development through to implementation. Collaboration with various specialists and engagement with stakeholders are key aspects of this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and development of master plans, urban design frameworks, and detailed urban design proposals.
• Manage urban design packages throughout the project lifecycle, from concept to implementation.
• Develop public realm, streetscape, open space, and placemaking strategies to enhance community livability.
• Conduct urban analysis, site assessments, land-use studies, and development feasibility evaluations.
• Review and guide the production of urban design reports, drawings, visualizations, presentations, and technical documentation.
• Ensure design proposals comply with local regulations, planning policies, client requirements, and international best practices.
• Coordinate with architects, landscape architects, infrastructure engineers, transportation specialists, and planning teams.
• Lead design review workshops, stakeholder consultations, and client presentations.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior urban designers and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Monitor the implementation of approved urban design concepts during construction and site supervision.
• Evaluate design changes and recommend solutions that maintain design integrity and project objectives.
• Support authority submissions and approvals by coordinating with government agencies and regulatory bodies.
• Promote sustainable urban development, smart city initiatives, walkability, accessibility, and environmental stewardship.
• Assist project management teams in managing project schedules, deliverables, risks, and resource requirements.
• Contribute to business development activities, technical proposals, and client relationship management as required.
• Ensure compliance with quality assurance, health and safety, and environmental management standards.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, or Urbanism is preferred.
• Professional membership with recognized institutions such as RTPI, ULI, APA, RIBA, or equivalent is advantageous.
• Minimum of 10-15 years of professional experience in urban design and master planning projects.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale mixed-use, residential, commercial, hospitality, and public realm developments.
• Strong understanding of urban design principles, development planning, and regulatory approval processes.
• Experience working on major developments within the GCC, preferably Saudi Arabia.

Required Skills

• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Rhino, Revit, GIS, Lumion, Enscape, or similar design tools.
• Strong graphic communication, visualization, report-writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination capabilities.
• Fluent in English; Arabic language skills are an advantage.

Work Environment

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and involves working within multidisciplinary teams on significant urban development projects. The position requires coordination with various internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and regulatory bodies.