Senior Associate - Landscape Architecture

Company Overview

AECOM is a global leader dedicated to developing a better world by enhancing infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and urban skylines to aid communities. With a vast network of more than 50,000 professionals, we provide innovative solutions to complex global challenges while building sustainable legacies.

Role Summary

We are looking for a seasoned Senior Associate in Landscape Architecture to join our creative team in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This position involves leading the conceptual and technical aspects of landscape projects spanning commercial, residential, and master-planned developments. The role requires close collaboration with architects, engineers, and clients to deliver outdoor spaces that are visually striking, functional, and environmentally sustainable, playing a pivotal role in shaping Abu Dhabi's urban environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Drive strategy and innovation concerning products, processes, standards, and methodologies aimed at fulfilling market and industry objectives.
• Independently lead multiple mid-scale landscape design projects, defining project roles and managing teams; prepare fee deployment for senior team review.
• Serve as technical lead for medium-sized projects, coordinating multiple disciplines and communicating project needs effectively.
• Manage client relationships and contractual requirements; coordinate deliverables with clients, consultants, and internal teams, providing clear project solutions.
• Organize design reviews and creative sessions for active projects and competitions.
• Ensure compliance with public realm design standards across projects.
• Contribute to studio design ethos and drivers.
• Balance innovative design with budget constraints by understanding and aligning with client goals.
• Deliver entire technical packages mainly independently with senior staff oversight.
• Possess comprehensive knowledge of regional planting and irrigation standards.
• Promote and implement innovative design ideas and digital tools, encouraging peer engagement and internal development.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and innovation in design and presentation graphics, facilitating knowledge sharing across the team.
• Provide input on landscape cost planning and maintain comprehensive project documentation such as capability statements and project sheets.
• Engage with ongoing landscape construction projects, resolving site-related issues as needed.
• Assist with project financial reporting, including writing change and variation orders in coordination with project management.
• Update weekly studio and resourcing meetings and support recruitment by identifying skills gaps and participating in hiring processes.
• Lead landscape bids and proposals, aligning technical approaches and commercial aspects with project goals.
• Ensure quality assurance by managing thorough reviews of deliverables following QA/QC standards.
• Mentor junior team members professionally.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of professional experience in landscape architecture with a proven track record in design and project delivery.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Progressing towards professional accreditation in Urban Design or Architecture, such as RIBA or equivalent.
• Portfolio submission showcasing landscape architecture design work is required with application.

Additional Information

New employees must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office as a condition of employment due to our commitment to secure and trustworthy hiring practices.

AECOM offers a comprehensive benefits package tailored to employees’ needs, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid leave, flexible work options, wellness resources, retirement savings, employee stock purchase plans, and more, depending on employment status.

Our workplace fosters respect, collaboration, and growth, providing award-winning training and development programs aimed at expanding technical knowledge and leadership skills.

AECOM is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to confidentiality and fairness in recruitment.