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 the award-winning City Design Practice in its San Francisco office. The Practice specializes in the urban design and planning of large-scale, mixed-use projects, including master plans for major educational and institutional campuses. The candidate will have the opportunity to help expand and lead urban design and planning efforts for the firm’s North American multidisciplinary planning practice, reporting to the West Practice Leader of Urban Planning.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supports and strengthens SOM’s firm vision, goals and values.
- Solves complex problems in connection with the urban planning of large-scale, urban design and planning projects.
- Leads the design and planning process through all phases of work on multiple project assignments and as part of a leadership team.
- Interfaces with clients, consultants, contractors, and others during various stages of project development.
- Manages work assignments on projects, within group and with other disciplines, and guides and encourages the development of staff.
- Participates proactively in urban design and planning marketing and business development efforts, including the preparation of proposals, project fees 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:
- Bachelor's degree or master's degree preferred in Urban Design or Architecture. AIA licensure or AICP is preferable. LEED accreditation is desirable.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible project experience in urban design and planning within 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, including its commitment to consistently work toward achieving carbon neutral development.
- Established track-record of high profile projects in the US; West Coast experience is a plus.
- Thorough knowledge of the range of work within the urban design discipline, including corporate and academic campus planning and design, mixed use redevelopment including a variety of scales of multifamily housing, transportation and utility infrastructure and sustainable design practices.
- A dynamic, creatively-focused and efficient approach.
- Compelling communication and engaging client liaison skills with extensive experience in the community engagement processes and preparation of public approval documents.
- Excellent people management and strong team leadership with the ability to listen and collaborate effectively.
- Strong writing skills with demonstrated experience authoring district, campus and long range development plans, and design guidelines. A knowledge of Form Based Codes is desirable.
- Ability to adapt to change in a fast-pace, highly creative working environment is essential.
- Proven success in business development with positive results in at least one aspect of the discipline.
- Demonstrated proficiency with AutoCAD, MS Office, and Adobe CS skills. Proficiency with three dimensional digital modeling software (Sketchup, Rhino, etc.) and GIS, as well as the ability to communicate with hand-sketching is highly desirable.
- Ability to engage in domestic travel.
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.
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 San Francisco - Senior Urban Designer - Domestic Studio requisition.
