Senior Urban Designer - International Studio
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
December 4, 2014
Professional Area:
Urban Design
Experience:
More than 10 years
Location:
San Francisco, CA
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is one of the leading architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban-planning firms in the world, with a 75-year reputation for design excellence and a portfolio that includes some of the most important architecture of the 20th and 21st centuries. Since its inception, SOM has been a leader in the research and development of innovative technologies, processes and ideas, many of which have had a lasting impact on the built environment. The firm has been honored with more than 1100 awards. The American Institute of Architects has recognized SOM twice with its highest honor, the Architecture Firm Award—in 1962 and again in 1996. The firm maintains offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai.
SOM's multifaceted practice includes: Architecture, MEP/Building Services, Digital Design, Graphics, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Structural & Civil Engineering, Sustainable Design, Urban Design and Planning.
Position Overview: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, an internationally-known, multi-disciplinary architectural and engineering design practice seeks a senior urban designer to join its award-winning International Urban Design & Planning Studio in San Francisco. The Studio specializes in the urban design and planning of large-scale, urban revitalization projects overseas, as well as the preparation of master plans for major institutions, business campuses, and new communities. The candidate will have the opportunity to take the lead on urban design efforts for the firm’s international project assignments, which will be primarily located in the Pacific Rim.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supports and strengthens SOM’s firm vision, goals and values.
- Solves complex problems in connection with the urban design of large-scale projects.
- Develops urban design and planning concepts incorporating site planning, landscape design, transportation and infrastructure systems.
- Responsible for various portions of master plan and site plan development documents Works with Director as primary design interface with clients, consultants, contractors, and others during various stages of project development.
- Manages work within teams and with other disciplines on multiple project assignments and guides and encourages the development of staff.
- Participates proactively in international marketing and business development efforts, including the preparation of qualifications, proposals, and scopes of services.
Please note this job description contains only a partial listing of duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Urban Design or city planning, with undergraduate training in architecture design. AIA licensure or AICP is required. LEED accreditation is desirable.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible project experience in the urban design and physical planning profession for projects both internationally and in North America, including 5 years of experience running a team.
- A strong design ethos consistent with the core principles of SOM's City Design Practice.
- Established track-record of high profile, award-winning urban design projects.
- Thorough knowledge of urban design and planning issues, including site planning, zoning, infrastructure and utility planning, and sustainable design practices.
- A dynamic, creatively-focused and efficient approach.
- Compelling communication and engaging client liaison skills.
- Excellent people management and strong team leadership with ability to listen and collaborate effectively.
- Ability to adapt to change in a fast-pace, highly creative working environment is essential.
- Proven success in business development with positive results.
- Demonstrated proficiency with AutoCAD, MS Office, and Adobe CS skills are required.
- Hand-sketching ability is highly desirable.
- International travel will be required.
Work Environment / Physical Demands:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, printers, and fax machines.
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, printers, and fax machines.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Most work is completed in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, or see. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and carry light objects.
Additional Information:
SOM is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status (except where certain characteristics are essential bona fide occupational requirements or where a disability is a bona fide occupational disqualification), as required by applicable law. SOM welcomes diversity in the workplace. SOM will make reasonable accommodation in the application process for applicants with disabilities, as required by applicable law. Please contact the Human Resources department at the location of interest to request accommodation.
We realize that all candidates may not be able to submit an online application. If you cannot submit an online application for a position, please submit your resume and cover letter to the appropriate office (C/O Human Resources) via regular mail. Clearly indicate in the cover letter the position and location to which you are applying. For a complete listing of SOM locations and addresses, please visit the Contact section on our website at www.som.com.
To apply, please submit cover letter, resume and work samples at www.som.com/careers under the SF - Senior Urban Designer - International Studio requisition.