As a Senior Urban Designer, you will be responsible for leading all phases of the design process with a high level of proficiency and expertise while adhering to firm and project goals and standards of excellence in design, execution, and living design.
You will manage project teams, foster collaboration, and demonstrate strong and effective communication and direction which inspires high team performance, design ideas, and successful project delivery.
You will:
- Define, monitor, and maintain control of the scope of work and services for the project including project schedule and work plan both to direct the project team and the client team.
- Lead efforts in developing, validating, and negotiating project scope and fee, budget, and scope of services during the marketing and contract development process.
- Participate in marketing opportunities and begins to develop successful client experiences.
- Be responsible for meeting or exceeding the financial goals established for the project and providing timely and appropriate information to Project Accountant to initiate invoicing.
- Coordinate with other local governments and recommends approval or denials of proposals.
- Meet with public officials and the public regarding development plans and land use.
- Educate civic leaders and the public about the details of the projects scheduled for their communities.
- Interpret gathered data and research.
- Analyze sites, programs, and other key project elements through quantitative and qualitative means.
- Develop analytical and design drawings throughout the design process using analog (through sketching and physical modeling) and digital means (through digital analyses, sketching, and modeling).
- Collaborate with client and/or public to create strategic planning options.
- Strategize, outline, mockup, and develop design documentation including creates and interprets maps and diagrams, master plan reports, design guidelines, and client-ready presentation materials.
- Coordinate all aspects of project deliverables.
- Review, evaluate, and integrate zoning and policy requirements into project design.
- Develop strategies for key urban frameworks and systems including but not limited to circulation, open space, buildings, and infrastructure.
- Perform advanced development calculations according to specified standards and proposed development controls.
- Lead project-related client and public discussions and presentations.
- Monitor the performance of the project team and approach to ensure our quality standards and design goals are being met.
- Mentor staff.
- Exercise creative judgment in all aspects of the design process.
- Participate actively within collaborative team settings such as: casual team interactions, design charettes, reviews, and pin-ups.
- Keep open communication within the team.
- Communicate ideas and thoughts in a way that inspires others.
- Effectively coordinate with other design partners and consultants.
High-level Summary of Critical, Baseline Technical Skills and Certifications
Proficiencies:
- Site and design research
- Site analytics
- Planning and zoning code analytics
- Concept and detailed design studies
- Production of drawings and deliverables
- Hand-drawn and digital sketching
- Computational analysis
Software:
- Functional knowledge of 2D/3D production software (Revit, Rhino)
- Functional knowledge of digital sketching/diagramming software (Illustrator)
- Functional knowledge of analytical tools (ArcGIS, Grasshopper)
- Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Functional knowledge of visualization tools (Enscape, VRay)
- Functional knowledge of physical modeling making
- Functional knowledge of presentation tools (InDesign, PowerPoint)
Licensure/Certifications/Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in urban design, landscape, architecture, or related discipline required
- AICP certification
- LEED GA within 6 months of hire
- Professional Accreditation in one area of Living Design that interests you: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, Passive House Institute Certified Passive House Consultant/Designer CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
Salary Range Information
We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, the annual pay salary range for this position in Boston is between $114,500 and $168,300.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + 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.
"Design has the power to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen the spirit of community."
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- 8-10+ years of experience in urban design
- Bachelor's degree in urban design, landscape, architecture, or related discipline
- AICP certification
- LEED GA within 6 months of hire
Perkins&Will Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Perkins&Will and has not been reviewed or approved by Perkins&Will.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — Inclusive health benefits extend to same-sex spouses and domestic partners and include coverage for gender confirmation surgery, reinforced by repeated external recognition for LGBTQ equality.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage spans dental, vision, disability, life, and medical insurance, alongside FSA options and related support programs that broaden access to care.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) with employer matching and is complemented by performance bonuses that add to total rewards.
Perkins&Will Insights
What We Do
Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place. That’s why clients and community members on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about Living Design, a philosophy that guides our work and emphasizes poetics and beauty; conceptual clarity; research and innovation; technology and tectonics; community and inclusion; resilience and regeneration; and health and well-being. Our team of over 2,500 professionals in 30 studios worldwide provides interdisciplinary services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, landscape architecture, and more. Our partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). We’re also part of the Sidara Collaborative, a global network of leading designers, engineers, planners, and consultants.
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