Lead Urban Designer

Description

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.

• 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.

• 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, Sketch Up, Rhino (or similar 3D modeling/ rendering tools), Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign), PowerPoint, and Excel are required. Advanced knowledge of Lumion or other rendering platforms is preferred.

We are an Urban Planning + Design Studio that goes beyond convention — immersing ourselves in every project, working collaboratively with our clients and colleagues across many scales from neighborhoods to regions, and producing user-friendly plans, easy-to-navigate codes, and effective design standards that actually get implemented. We encourage creative thinking, high-quality design, and implementable products that genuinely drive change in the communities we serve.

At Ascent, you'll have the opportunity to lead meaningful projects, grow your career alongside…