The Senior Designer – Urban Design at Smith Gee Studio is a highly capable design professional, either certified or actively pursuing certification, who plays a critical role in both creative and technical project execution. This individual contributes significantly to design excellence while also providing guidance to junior staff and supporting project coordination. The Senior Designer – Urban Design is expected to work across multiple project types and phases, contributing to the firm’s quality standards and mentoring culture. They exemplify thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and accountability throughout project delivery and internal firm development.

Key Responsibilities

Project Organization

• Lead design and documentation phases across multiple projects of varying type and scale.
• Translate client goals into compelling design concepts and detailed documentation.
• Coordinate effectively with internal team members and consultants to ensure technical and aesthetic cohesion. ie. Design Excellence
• Establish tasks for junior team members through coordination with project leadership

Project Delivery + Coordination

• Assist Project Managers in proposal development, project tracking, and progress reporting.
• Support/ review for QA/QC to ensure design and technical integrity.
• Lead internal and external presentations, collaborating directly with clients, consultants, and partners as required.
• Leads consultant coordination through communication and redline markups
• Create redlines efficiently with an emphasis on reducing repeated errors.

Team Leadership & Development

• Act as a resource and coach for emerging professionals within the team.
• Look for opportunities to teach younger team members and provide mentorship as needed
• Help advance the team’s design skill set and technical skill through real-time training and feedback.
• Contribute to a culture of growth, clarity, and mutual support.

Quality Management

• Review and refine work of junior designers, ensuring alignment with client goals, zoning regulations, and firm standards.
• Ensure tasks are completed at each phase of the project
• Coordinate with Leadership team on schedules for all project-related reviews

Entitlements Process

• Assist with entitlements process including completing applications and submittals, reviews with stakeholders, community engagement and notices, and post entitlement coordination.
• Maintain documentation and project clarity across all stakeholders during entitlement process

Qualifications

• Education: Professional degree in Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 8 years of progressive design and production experience across multiple project types.
• Skills:
  • Strong design documentation and technical detailing for site and building design.
  • Proficiency in hand drawing skills, Autocad, Sketchup, Adobe Creative Suite, and other design tools.
  • Proficiency with understanding building and fire codes, zoning standards, various entitlement processes, engineering coordination, and documentation protocols., and.
• Attributes: Self-directed, collaborative, quality-driven, with strong communication and mentoring instincts.
• Professional Growth: Active pursuit of licensure and involvement in AIA or similar professional organizations is encouraged.

Submit all questions, resume, and portfolio to careers@smithgeestudio.com