Urban Planner Jobs in Texas

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 Responsibilities

• Contributes to promoting the City Design Practice within home office
• Develops plans and policies, directs research, and helps provide strategic direction for projects
• Responsible for leadership of the project team, including overseeing CDP team members, providing regular progress check-ins, setting priorities, and reconciling competing objectives.
• Responsible for development and delivery of planning and urban design projects in all phases from project initiation and conceptualization; to analytical diagramming, site planning, rendering and visualization; through detailed master planning, design guidelines, and report production.
• Reviews deliverables for compliance with the project’s technical requirements.
• Provides regular updates to the CDP Associate Director, Director / Practice Leader, and Project Manager.
• Oversees the production resources and schedules of documentation for agreed upon deliverables.
• Oversees implementation of the Quality Management System for assigned projects.
• Leads the research and analysis required for the project.
• Participate in staff recruitment and retention; support professional development of select staff
• Confers with clients, consultants, and related professionals during various stages of project development.
• Supporting new business development, cultivating relationships with consultants, and providing exceptional service to clients.
• Makes meaningful contributions to the advancement of activities for the studio.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Actively leads a project team.
• Directly supervises, trains, and mentors team members.
• Engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews.
• Demonstrates leadership in the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
• Creates and drives new ways of working through contributing to the development of services, standards, procedures based in an understanding of the business principles that protect SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture, Planning, Urban Design, or Landscape Architecture.
• Licensed in state of practice or must be AICP Certified; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Substantial experience in the design of large-scale planning and complex urban design projects.
• General understanding of sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
• Strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills.
• Familiarity with Revit and practical understanding of the application of digital tools such as Grasshopper, Navisworks, Ladybug, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead project teams and manage project schedule, budget and program.
• Experience in successful engagement with client and project entitlement.
• Studio recognition for contribution and achievement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, Google Suite, and AutoCAD.

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: Inquire about our 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 $95,000 to $120,000.

Our Culture

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.

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.

Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, 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.