Senior Urban Designer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP in Los Angeles, California

Job Description:

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.  We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration.  Together we can achieve great things.
 

Success at SOM Means

• Ideas:  We believe in a meritocracy of ideas.  We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.  




• Knowledge:  We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning.  We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.




• Product:  We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.




• Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work.  Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.




• Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration.  A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.




• Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Summary

This position offers the opportunity to help build and lead an urban design studio in the dynamic Los Angeles market. The Los Angeles studio is part of SOM’s respected City Design Practice, a global collaborative focused on issues related to urbanization and the environment. The Los Angeles studio specializes in large-scale mixed-use urban design and planning projects, working closely with SOM’s architectural studios.  Additionally, the studio continues to explore opportunities around community-driven planning as well as  institutional campus master plans. We are looking for a motivated, interdisciplinary designer with a passion for cities, a commitment to excellence, and the ability to lead and collaborate with others.
 

Position Responsibilities

• Solve complex problems in connection with the planning and design of large-scale projects, including community planning and institutional campus master plans.




• Confer with clients, consultants and stakeholders during various stages of project development.




• Manage all aspects of assigned projects including analysis, conceptual ideas, design development, client presentations, and documentation. 




• Participate in presentations and meetings 




• Organize internal design reviews and workshops.




• Ensure designs are advanced appropriately and iteratively through each stage of the process 




• Coordinate work, resources and staff assignments within the LA studio and, when necessary, other studios around the firm 




• Initiate marketing and business development efforts. Participate in crafting proposals and interviewing for new work including building subconsultant teams, developing work plans, and writing detailed scope-of-work documents and contracts. -




• Work with and mentor others  in the development of urban design concepts and graphics.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential.




• Directly supervises staff and is committed to direct reports’ professional development.




• Develops and engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews.




• In collaboration with team members, develops a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.




• Actively engages in internal and external professional development opportunities.




• Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.




• Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.




• Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional Degree in Architecture, Planning, Urban design, or Landscape Architecture.




• Professional licensure process is close to completion; LEED accreditation strongly preferred.




• Minimum 6 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.




• Significant experience in large-scale planning, mixed-use and transit oriented development, and consistently demonstrated facility working in a fast-paced and intensely collaborative professional environment.




• Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.




• Demonstrates expertise in AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, Lumion, parametric and rendering software, and other graphic software as well as Adobe Creative Suite, Google Suite and Microsoft Office; Revit proficiency a plus.

Are you ready to join a team of creative professionals working on transformational projects around the world? Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to build a better future with SOM. 

Our Benefits:

Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance
 

Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs
 

Work/Life Balance: Hybrid/Flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program
 

Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development 
 

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $90,000 - $120,000.

Our Culture:

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. Here, you’ll collaborate with industry experts on some of the most exciting and transformative architecture, engineering, and planning projects in the world.

We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices. 

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy

For more about SOM: www.som.com

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed.  Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.