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.

Qualifications * Bachelor's or Master's 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.