Senior Urban Design Manager

About the role

Big Fish Consulting is looking for a Senior Urban Design Manager to lead visioning, concept development and early‑stage master planning for large‑scale urban projects in the GCC. The role combines creative design leadership with strategic planning to shape vibrant, sustainable communities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the visioning, pre‑concept and concept design phases of urban design and master‑planning projects.
• Develop innovative master plans, urban design strategies and development concepts.
• Create and review sketches, diagrams, 3D models and visual presentations to communicate ideas.
• Conduct site analysis, benchmarking and feasibility studies to inform design decisions.
• Collaborate with architects, landscape architects, visualization specialists and development teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Present design concepts and recommendations to senior stakeholders and leadership.
• Mentor junior designers and support the growth of the urban design team.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related discipline.
• 10‑12+ years of experience in urban design and master planning, with a strong focus on concept design and visioning.
• Experience working for leading international consultancy firms and strong GCC exposure, preferably in the UAE.
• Excellent hand‑sketching, visualization, graphic presentation and storytelling abilities.
• Solid understanding of urban planning principles, site analysis and master‑planning methodologies.
• Arabic language skills are a plus.

Required skills

• Rhino
• GIS
• InDesign
• PowerPoint
• SketchUp
• Adobe Illustrator