Senior Urban Designer

HDR•Denver, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? We believe architecture is more than designing buildings, it’s about providing solutions to societal challenges and creating stronger, more vibrant communities. As part of our Architecture practice at HDR, you’ll contribute to the design and delivery of spaces and experiences that advance community well-being around the world. From healing environments and learning spaces to research labs and civic landmarks and infrastructure, your work will directly influence how individuals experience the world around them. We bring together architects, planners, designers, and technical experts to solve complex design challenges with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. From championing design excellence with an emphasis on resilience and sustainability to pioneering innovative building technologies, your contributions will leave a lasting impact on the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive meaningful change and help define the future of our communities. Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. HDR is looking for an energetic, team-oriented urban designer to join our interdisciplinary architecture studio in Denver, CO. Our design and planning teams work with diverse private and public sector clients to create vibrant places ranging from transit-oriented developments, urban mobility corridors, redevelopment districts, campuses, and waterfronts, to highly sustainable mixed-use communities. The successful candidate would augment and collaborate with a growing team of designers locally as well as across our matrix organization to provide leadership, seek new business development opportunities and contribute to our design culture with innovative and creative thinking.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or closely related field
A minimum of 10 years experience in environmental consulting with a successful track record of marketing, urban design project management, staff management and client satisfaction, business development skills and familiarity of local clients and markets; advance degree may offset years of experience
AICP certification desired
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs
Extensive graphics and report document production experience
Experience with GIS
Highly motivated self-starter
Leadership skills and ability to manage in a team environment
Public speaking and strong verbal and written communication skills
May require the ability to travel
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in urban design or related field from an accredited university. Candidates with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees may receive elevated consideration.
Minimum of 10 years professional work experience as an urban designer leading community and city-building projects
Proficiency with AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, and rendering software such as RiNo, Grasshopper, Lumion, Enscape and VRay, and the ability to direct others to apply a variety of digital tools to develop urban design solutions, visual communication and storytelling
Revit and GIS skills
Hand sketching and drawing skills
Strong design and critical thinking skills: ideation, concept iteration and exploration through multiple platforms
Strong design rigor, clear visual communication
Exceptional visual storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives that translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive, and emotionally resonant visual presentations that inspire people, strengthen community identity, and communicate a compelling vision to clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

Lead and support the urban design discipline and within a variety of project types for both public and private sector clients.
Simultaneously engage in multiple projects and collaborate effectively with other team members, including architects, engineers and other disciplines
Lead the development of design thinking and concepts in project work and studio culture.
Create concept and detailed drawings using 2D and 3D digital illustration tools, free hand drawing, and rendering.
Clearly communicate design and planning concepts in writing and in spoken presentations.
Leverage the design and graphic talents of others from within the project team, including computer and hand graphic skills, to support the design process, visual communication and storytelling.
Champion urban design as a unifying framework that enhances planning, engineering, and architectural work through collaboration, creativity, and systems-based thinking.
Mentor and develop other urban designers, challenging, inspiring and motivating them to deliver high quality design solutions for our clients.
Retain professional licensure and continue professional development, as appropriate.
Build and maintain meaningful relationships across HDR’s internal network, connecting people, expertise, and ideas across disciplines and geographies to identify opportunities, strengthen teams, and strategically position urban design expertise in support of pursuits and broader business development efforts.
Build and strengthen relationships with clients, partners, and industry peers, leveraging urban design expertise and a strong understanding of client needs to identify opportunities, shape pursuit strategies, differentiate HDR’s capabilities, and position the firm for new work.