Senior Urban Designer

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of advisors and experts working across 34 countries with over 19,000 employees. Headquartered in London, providing design engineering, architecture, planning, and advisory services across every aspect of the built environment. Founded to be both humane and excellent, we collaborate with our clients and partners using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Urban Designer (Environmental Planner) to join our growing Cities, Planning and Design team in Manila. The ideal candidate will have at least 8 (eight) years relevant design experience in Planning and Design consultancy for integrated city developments and/or the public sector.  

The position presents an excellent opportunity for someone wanting to work across a wide range of projects for both public and private sector clients as well as be involved in business development and further growth and establishment of the team. In addition to local projects, the candidate will have the opportunity to work on projects throughout the South East Asia (SEA) region. 

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, and provide an equal and inclusive environment for you to thrive in.  We care about you and want you to perform at your best. Here you will have access to a wide range of opportunities to become a better version of yourself.  We also offer flexible work arrangements to support your lifestyle and wellbeing. Join us to create a greener, better, and more sustainable world!  

Your role in our team

As the Senior Urban Designer your main responsibility will be to lead and drive the delivery of high-quality integrated masterplanning and urban design projects across multiple scales and typologies. This may include residential masterplans, urban design guidance, planning strategies, design & access statements and capacity studies for strategic planning and urban design commissions for public and private sector clients. You will have a growing team locally to support you, as well as regional international resources as required to deliver integrated planning and design solutions. You will be hands-on through the masterplanning process, from the initial site analysis thru to concept formulation and coordination of deliverables – ensuring the highest design quality standards and promoting and supporting sustainable design solutions. You are comfortable presenting the design concept to colleagues, clients as well as on a wider platform during conferences and seminars. You will actively support the Business Unit leader with marketing and business development to service existing clients, generate new work, and support other business units in the office as needed. 

• Plays a key role in projects, as a team leader, project manager, or critical designer. 

• Leads projects that are medium to large scale in size, both technically as well as for project management with responsibilities for financial management of the project, ensuring key deadlines are met and that the project stays on schedule and staff are working together effectively. 

• Develops design plans in response to technical problems posed by a project’s scope.  

• Develops innovative solutions to problems that effectively address the social, legal, and economic implications of the physical form. 

• Provide project or task management to develop urban design and planning concepts and translate them into clear and compelling graphic images (guiding and supporting junior staff as appropriate) 

• Independently evaluate, select, and apply standard urban design techniques, procedures, and criteria, using judgment in making minor adaptations and modifications on projects. 

• Plays a key role in client management and client satisfaction. 

• Actively support marketing efforts to current clients and is instrumental in identifying and attracting new clients. 

• Coordinate other disciplines to establish fully integrated, multidisciplinary and sustainable masterplanning and urban design proposals 

 Is this role right for you?

Technical Skills 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Architecture/Environmental Planning/Landscape Architecture or related degree from a reputable university 

• At least 8-10 years of proven experience as Urban Designer on a range of city shaping projects of various scale and nature. You should have at least 5 years of experience leading projects and guiding teams. 

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and guidelines in the Philippines. 

• Quality portfolio showing dedication to innovative planning and design solutions for complex urban issues 

• Solid experience in the project management of signature projects and can be Client facing; 

• Able to lead multiple projects at the same time; 

• Excellent design, visualization, and graphic skills 

• Ability to conduct and lead client meetings 

• Highly competent user of: 

• Adobe suites (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), knowing multimedia development tools (e.g. After Effects and Premiere) 

• 3D software such as Rhino (with Grasshopper Scripting), SketchUp 

• CAD software (e.g. AutoCAD), knowing Civil3D and/or Revit is an advantage.  

• Understanding of GIS and Parametric software is an advantage. 

• Hand Sketching skills is an advantage 

Personal Attributes 

• Pro-active, enthusiastic self-starter. 

• Ability to communicate with people at all levels in both technical and non-technical environments. 

• Teamplayer, and able to coach and train Urban Designers towards a full understanding of sustainable design; 

• Keen sense of maintaining high standards 

• Ability to think innovatively and seek out urban design solutions to industry problems. 

• Effective written communication, report writing skills and keen eye for high quality aesthetic report delivery 

• Strong attention to detail. 

• Excellent organizational skills. 

• Willing to undertake domestic and International travel; and 

• Able to represent us at International conferences and seminars. 

What We Offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities.

Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We offer competitive renumeration package commensurate with qualifications and experience to the right candidate including HMO, Group Life and Accident Insurance, medical reimbursement, government standard benefits, 15 days VL and SL, hybrid work arrangement and long-term career development opportunities.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at Your life at Arup - Arup

Interested applicants, please apply by sending full resume including Portfolio with availability, present and expected salary, contact telephone number

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Ivy Baguis at ivy.baguis@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance.