Lead Urban Designer

Ascent • Sacramento or San Diego, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Ascent is looking for a Lead Urban Designer to join our Urban Design + Planning Studio. Our ideal candidate is a seasoned urban designer with deep California experience, a collaborative attitude, and a track record of leading specific plans, master plans, community plans, zoning, form-based codes, design standards, feasibility studies, and community engagement. We are looking for someone with a collaborative attitude, the ability to go beyond convention and develop creative and elegant solutions, and an interest in being part of a fast-paced design studio. This is a leadership role within our Urban Design + Planning Studio. In a typical week, you might: Drive the design vision – Lead specific plans, master plans, and other urban design and planning projects from concept to delivery, including visioning, site analysis, feasibility studies, and design concepts and strategies. Mentor and elevate the team – Provide guidance, technical expertise, and mentoring to more junior members of the Urban Design + Planning Studio, and collaborate across disciplines, including climate action planning, environmental planning, and natural resources. Develop compelling visuals – Develop 2D and 3D plans and graphics, massing studies, site plans, concept diagrams, 3D renderings, and before/after simulations that bring ideas to life. Prepare graphically rich reports – Produce graphically-rich reports, presentations, and planning documents using InDesign and PowerPoint. Engage the Community – Lead inclusive community engagement and outreach activities, workshops, and meetings for both in-person and virtual outreach. Help grow the practice – Lead business development activities, including identifying opportunities, preparing proposals, leading interviews, and cultivating client relationships. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, 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.

Requirements

• A minimum of 12-15 years of consulting experience in urban design and planning, with advanced knowledge of the profession as practiced in the State of California, including planning for housing and mixed-use infill, transit-oriented development, and complete streets.
• A master’s degree or other advanced degree in urban design or planning and an undergraduate degree in architecture or landscape architecture, or a similar combination.
• Experience managing complex urban design and planning projects, including managing sub-consultant teams, supervising early career staff, and leading business development activities.
• Excellent presentation skills, including strong design and graphic communication skills, as well as the ability to present design concepts to the client, community, and others through compelling presentations and storytelling.
• Advanced graphic, drawing, and 3D modeling/rendering abilities, with demonstrated proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino (or similar 3D modeling/ rendering tools), Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign), PowerPoint, and Excel are required.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced knowledge of Lumion or other rendering platforms is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive the design vision – Lead specific plans, master plans, and other urban design and planning projects from concept to delivery, including visioning, site analysis, feasibility studies, and design concepts and strategies.
• Mentor and elevate the team – Provide guidance, technical expertise, and mentoring to more junior members of the Urban Design + Planning Studio, and collaborate across disciplines, including climate action planning, environmental planning, and natural resources.
• Develop compelling visuals – Develop 2D and 3D plans and graphics, massing studies, site plans, concept diagrams, 3D renderings, and before/after simulations that bring ideas to life.
• Prepare graphically rich reports – Produce graphically-rich reports, presentations, and planning documents using InDesign and PowerPoint.
• Engage the Community – Lead inclusive community engagement and outreach activities, workshops, and meetings for both in-person and virtual outreach.
• Help grow the practice – Lead business development activities, including identifying opportunities, preparing proposals, leading interviews, and cultivating client relationships.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level