Urban Designer

Perkins&Will Austin is seeking an experienced Urban Designer to join our Austin team to design complex urban design and planning projects, manage both the client relationship (in collaboration with Managing Principal and Design Principal) and project success, as measured in client satisfaction, work quality, profitability, and fostering team professionalism, collaboration, and morale.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Design acumen and capability
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Excellent presentation and client communication ability
• Team oriented interpersonal skills
• Technical expertise

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Design

• Demonstrates advanced understanding and application of analyses, design, and report preparation for urban design/planning, including fundamental theories, design processes, entitlements processes and documents, software technology, delivery methods, etc.
• Understands and communicates urban design concepts, objectives, guidelines, policies, and critical issues to successfully manage the project process and ensure high-quality project delivery.
• Develops design sketches, renderings, models, and graphics for presentations.
• Promotes firm goals of excellence in design, execution, sustainability, and resilience.

Technical

• Understands and has experience with all aspects and phases of the design and production process.
• Is proficient in writing planning documents.
• Is articulate and effective as a public speaker and leads project-related public discussions and presentations.
• Demonstrates good people skills and enables an environment of collaboration and creative thinking.
• Develops and prepares design documents including guidelines, reports, planning documents and final presentation materials.
• Evaluates and integrates technical information and infrastructure requirements into overall project design and documentation.
• Analyzes and reviews local codes, plans and policy context and aligns these with project requirements.
• Coordinates all aspects of project deliverables.
• Leads project-related public discussions and presentations.

Project Management

• Takes responsibility for leading the project team (client, consultants, and Perkins&Will team) through a well-coordinated, collaborative and highly motivated project process.
• Assures a positive teamwork atmosphere and assists in supporting the development and retention of quality staff including mentoring.
• Defines, monitors, and maintains control of the scope of work and services for the project including project schedule and work plan both to inform the client team and clearly direct the project team.
• Serves as the primary coordinator of all communication between the client and Perkins&Will, (including Managing Principal, Design Principal, and Technical Principal).
• Responsible for the clear and timely communication of information to the project team.
• Responsible for and is dedicated to the complete integration and excellence in design and technical aspects of the project.
• Monitors the performance of the project team and project deliverables, to assure that the Firm’s quality standards and design goals are being met.
• Actively leads marketing opportunities and facilitates multi-discipline/office collaboration within firm
• Develops and maintains successful client relationships for repeat business.

Requirements:

• Professional Degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or Planning
• 10+ years experience
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of urban design principles and theory associated with project design and execution
• Experience working with clients and consultants
• Knowledge of GIS, CAD, 3D computer modeling and graphic design (e.g., Rhino, Grasshopper, AutoCAD, SketchUp, InDesign, and Photoshop)
• Ability to direct, mentor and coordinate work efforts of project team
• Collaborative and professional work ethic
• Strong interpersonal skills, verbal, listening and written including client presentation skills
• LEED AP or within 6 months of hire
• AIA, or AICP Certification

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a resume and work samples. Include your resume and a compact, representative sample of your work (no larger than 4MB).

At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity, and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people and ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve.

• Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Required