Associate Urban Designer | Arcadia | Sydney, Australia

Arcadia Landscape Architecture is an award-winning, design and purpose-driven landscape architecture and urban design practice located in Australia and New Zealand. With studios in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle, Auckland and Gold Coast, we are dedicated to shaping a future where our landscapes tell stories of innovation, sustainability, and cultural connection.

About the Opportunity

Arcadia is seeking an Associate Urban Designer who is ready to step into a broader leadership role, combining strong project delivery with client-facing responsibility, team guidance, and exposure to business development. This is a unique opportunity for a career-focused designer to operate closely with Principals and Studio Leads, learning how Senior Associates build relationships, shape project pipelines, contribute to submissions, and win future work, while still being supported to develop those skills on the job. You will help lead thoughtful urban design outcomes across masterplanning, public realm, built form, design frameworks, and city-shaping projects, with the opportunity to grow your influence across both project delivery and the future direction of the studio.

A glimpse into your day

• Lead urban design projects across a range of scales, ensuring work is delivered to a high standard, on time, and within agreed budgets.
• Guide the development of masterplans, urban design frameworks, public realm strategies, built form studies, design reports, and strategic design advice.
• Manage the design process from early thinking through to detailed resolution, balancing design quality, project scope, commercial outcomes, and client expectations.
• Work directly with clients, councils, consultants, internal teams, and project stakeholders to guide conversations, resolve design challenges, and maintain project momentum.
• Prepare and oversee high-quality project deliverables, including diagrams, reports, presentations, plans, 3D studies, visual narratives, and design documentation.
• Support business development by contributing to submissions, identifying future project opportunities, strengthening client relationships, and learning how to build a sustainable project pipeline.
• Represent Arcadia in client meetings, workshops, project presentations, stakeholder sessions, and industry conversations with confidence and professionalism.
• Mentor and support Urban Designers, Graduates, and wider team members through project guidance, feedback, training, and day-to-day leadership.
• Work closely with senior leaders to understand project resourcing, commercial performance, scope management, invoicing support, and the operational side of successful project delivery.

The expertise you’ll bring

• A Bachelor's degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, or another relevant built environment discipline.
• 8+ years experience working within Urban Design
• A proven ability to develop and deliver high-quality masterplans, urban design frameworks, public realm strategies, built form studies, design reports, and strategic urban design outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of the Australian planning and design context, including built form controls, urban design principles, planning processes, public realm outcomes, and contemporary city-making.
• Confidence working with clients and stakeholders, with the ability to clearly explain design thinking, project strategy, constraints, opportunities, and recommendations.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to turn complex urban design ideas into clear written, visual, and verbal narratives.
• Proficiency across relevant design, documentation, and visual communication software, which may include Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, GIS, or other 3D and mapping tools.
• A genuine interest in business development, client relationships, submissions, and pipeline growth, even if you are still developing these skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, support, and guide team members while helping maintain a high standard of design delivery.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of project scope, resourcing, fees, deliverables, budgets, and client value.

Additional Information

The Arcadia Way (how we work)

Our team of brilliant minds come from many walks of life, each one a character with stories to tell. These diverse and different ways of thinking enable us to maintain fresh perspectives and innovate continuously. Whether it's design excellence or streamlined processes, we go to every length to make sure that clients and communities are getting the best possible results.

Arcadia's high calibre team is what keeps clients coming back for more. That's why we provide our team with industry-leading tools and training to continually develop our skills, achieving maximum fulfilment and growth.

Why you will love working with us

Our team member benefits include:

• Daily Lunch and Snacks
• Employer Assistance Provider – Wellness Program – for you and the immediate members of your family
• Annual Skin Checks
• Annual Flu Vaccinations
• Professional Development and lifelong learning
• Studio Events and Networking opportunities
• Flexible and Hybrid Working
• Bi-annual Events – Ski Trip in August and EOY Conference

Arcadia Landscape Architecture is a place where purpose and people meet. We are dedicated to building a business that is inclusive by design - our Studios are a safe space where everyone belongs and is encouraged to excel.

We actively seek perspectives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. We value the strength that diversity brings to our work and our culture. Please advise us of any adjustments you may need during the recruitment phase to ensure you can participate fully and comfortably.

A Note on Work Rights

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold the legal right to live and work in Australia.

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