Urban Designer

Job Title

Urban Designer IV

Overview

The Urban Designer IV serves as an advanced practitioner responsible for leading complex components of urban design projects, producing sophisticated design solutions, and coordinating multidisciplinary contributions with minimal supervision. This role functions as a technical and creative leader on major deliverables, frequently participates in client and stakeholder meetings, and provides strategic insight into urban design direction. The Urban Designer IV supports project management tasks, mentors junior staff, and ensures design excellence, regulatory alignment, and strong visual communication across all work products.

Primary Essential Functions

Lead detailed design development for master plans, redevelopment strategies, public‑realm plans, and large‑scale urban frameworks, ensuring alignment with client objectives.

Synthesize complex site, regulatory, environmental, and demographic data into clear and actionable design recommendations.

Produce advanced 2D and 3D design studies, including refined massing, development scenarios, streetscape layouts, and public realm design concepts.

Oversee the creation of high‑quality diagrams, renderings, visualizations, and presentation materials, ensuring visual consistency and clarity.

Direct major sections of planning reports, proposals, and design narratives, integrating graphics, data, and spatial analysis.

Represent the design team in client and stakeholder meetings, presenting design work, gathering feedback, and recommending strategic adjustments.

Support and facilitate community engagement events, including charrettes, workshops, and public presentations.

Coordinate design work with architecture, engineering, landscape, and planning teams, resolving conflicts and integrating technical requirements.

Interpret zoning, development regulations, and policy frameworks, identifying opportunities and constraints that shape urban design solutions.

Contribute to project management tasks, including defining scopes of work, estimating design hours, and monitoring progress on deliverables.

Provide mentorship and training to junior designers, elevating team capabilities in software, design approaches, and graphic communication.

Conduct quality‑control reviews of drawings, diagrams, reports, and presentations to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with Stratus standards.

Secondary Essential Functions

Perform all other duties as assigned.

Work collaboratively and effectively with clients and colleagues, including cross‑functional teams, peers, direct reports, and leadership, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

Adapt to changing business needs and priorities, demonstrating flexibility in taking on new responsibilities and adjusting to evolving challenges.

Competencies

Deep knowledge of urban design theory, public‑realm design, and development feasibility.

Understanding of transportation systems, infrastructure design, and multimodal planning.

Strong knowledge of zoning frameworks, entitlement processes, and planning policies.

Familiarity with sustainability, resilience, and equitable development strategies.

Skills

Expert‑level proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and 3D modeling software (Rhino, SketchUp, or equivalent).

Strong writing skills for client‑facing reports, proposals, and technical documents.

Highly skilled at producing presentations, renderings, and complex analytical graphics.

Strong coordination and communication skills with multidisciplinary teams and clients.

Abilities

Ability to lead and independently develop major project components with minimal oversight.

Ability to translate complex research and policy frameworks into design‑driven recommendations.

Ability to engage confidently with clients, stakeholders, and public audiences.

Ability to mentor others and contribute to talent development within the studio.

Ability to manage multiple workstreams and balance competing deadlines.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or related field.

5–7 years of urban design or related experience.

Demonstrated leadership of complex design tasks and large‑scale deliverables.

Strong portfolio demonstrating advanced design, modeling, and communication skills.

Preferred

Master’s degree in Urban Design or related discipline.

Experience with form‑based codes, transportation planning, or advanced GIS analytics.

Public engagement and client‑facing experience.

Physical Requirements

Ability to remain seated for extended periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.

Frequent use of standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, telephones, and printers.

Occasional light physical activity such as walking, standing, or carrying materials (up to 25 lbs).

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, over the phone, and through written communication.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Stratus is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy‑related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Stratus Team’s management Team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

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