Your Role
Gensler’s team in Chicago is seeking an Urban Designer to join our Cities + Urban Design practice area working on a range of high-profile public and private sector projects including master plans, specific plans, design guidelines, development standards and other planning studies. Ideal candidates will possess a background in urban planning and design and have 1-5 years of project experience, particularly in large-scale master planning. Technical knowledge such as familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Autocad, Revit and other design tools are preferred. Strong interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills are critical. Comfort in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously is a must. Candidates should be self-starters, collaborative, and comfortable working to project deadlines.
What You Will Do
Prepare planning documents, including: master plans, diagrams, renderings, design standards and other planning studies
Prepare presentations geared toward clients, community stakeholders, and public agencies
Contribute to developing strong, creative and innovative design concepts on a broad range of urban design and master planning projects including:
- Collaborate and advance conceptual and schematic designs on urban design and master planning projects
- Utilize visualization skills to express design both in plan and three dimensionally
- Assist with the preparation of narrative reports and presentations that communicate the design process and concepts
- Assist in presentations and production of urban design and master planning projects
- Assist in managing client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination
Your Qualifications
Master’s degree in City/Regional Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Design or other closely related field
1-5 years of experience related to urban planning, design and/or strategy
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task
Strong attention to detail
Excellent written, verbal and graphic communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign)
Proficiency in GIS and Mapping tools
Basic skills in AutoCAD and/or Revit
Basic skills in Sketch-Up and other 3D and multi-media technologies
For consideration, please submit a resume and relevant work samples. Submittals must include work samples for full consideration.
**The base salary will be estimated between $70,000 - $82,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler
Life at Gensler
At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Awareness Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.
We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.
As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in City/Regional Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Design or related field
- 1-5 years of experience in urban planning, design and/or strategy
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
- Basic skills in AutoCAD and/or Revit
- Proficiency in GIS and mapping tools
- Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communication skills
Gensler Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Gensler and has not been reviewed or approved by Gensler.
-
Strong & Reliable Incentives — Incentive programs include twice‑yearly bonuses and profit sharing that are positioned as meaningful parts of total compensation. Employee ownership elements can reward longer tenure and contribute to overall earnings beyond base pay.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Employee stock ownership and stock appreciation programs provide wealth‑building avenues beyond salary. These equity mechanisms are highlighted as part of the standard package.
-
Healthcare Strength — Core coverage spans medical, dental, and vision alongside life and disability, EAP/mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Benefits breadth is described as solid within the industry context.
Gensler Insights
What We Do
Gensler is a global architecture, design, and planning firm with 53 locations and more than 6,000+ professionals networked across the Americas, Europe, Greater China, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. Founded in 1965, the firm works globally with more than 4,000 clients across more than 33 practice areas spanning the work, lifestyle, community, and health sectors. Everything we do is guided by our mission: To create a better world through the power of design. We believe the power of design can spark positive change and create a future that promotes equity, resilience, and wellbeing for everyone. Gensler was named one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work in 2020, 2019, 2017 and 2016, and our award-winning culture has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021. Our people-first philosophy is centered on the core ideas of diversity empowerment, impact, community, respect, and growth. You can learn more about our commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace at https://www.gensler.com/careers#diversity.
