Job Details

The Associate Landscape Architect is responsible for the successful coordination, management, and delivery of landscape architecture and public realm projects across the UAE, the wider Middle East, and other regional markets. 

The role combines project delivery, design management, client coordination, technical oversight, and team leadership.  

Working closely with Senior Associates and Associate Directors, the Associate will support the delivery of projects from concept design through detailed design, authority approvals, tender documentation, and construction support, ensuring projects are delivered to high standards of design quality, technical excellence, programe performance, and client satisfaction. 

The Associate will play an important role in mentoring Senior LAs, LAs and junior team members, promoting best practice, supporting project performance, and contributing to the adoption of BIM processes, AI-enabled workflows, and digital project management platforms such as Vantagepoint. 

Responsibilities

Design Leadership 

• Support the delivery of landscape architecture and public realm projects from concept design through to project completion. 

• Assist in establishing and maintaining design quality throughout all project stages. 

• Contribute innovative, sustainable, and practical design solutions that meet project and client objectives. 

• Prepare and lead project presentations, design reviews, workshops, and stakeholder meetings as required. 

• Participate in internal design reviews, collaboration sessions, and design charrettes. 

• Undertake design research and benchmark studies informed by international best practice and industry trends. 

Project & Commercial Management 

• Manage the day-to-day delivery of multiple projects across a range of sectors and scales. 

• Coordinate project programmes, resources, deliverables, and project risks. 

• Monitor project performance against programme and budget requirements. 

• Ensure compliance with client requirements, authority regulations, company procedures, and quality management systems. 

• Coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary teams including engineering, planning, BIM, and project management disciplines. 

Client Relations & Business Support 

• Develop positive working relationships with clients, stakeholders, consultants, and authorities. 

• Support project communications and day-to-day client coordination. 

• Assist in the preparation of presentations, bid submissions, and marketing initiatives. 

• Contribute to maintaining strong client relationships and identifying opportunities for repeat work. 

Team Leadership & Development 

• Work collaboratively with Senior Associates, Associate Directors, and project teams to achieve successful project outcomes. 

• Provide guidance and mentorship to Senior LAs, Landscape Architects, Graduates, and BIM professionals. 

• Support resource planning and workload coordination within project teams. 

• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable working environment. 

• Contribute to knowledge sharing, professional development, and continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Attend Senior Management teams to discuss 

Innovation & Digital Delivery 

• Promote the effective use of AI tools to improve design efficiency, visualisation, reporting, and project delivery. 

• Support BIM-enabled project delivery and digital design workflows. 

• Utilise Vantapoint for project planning, resource management, reporting, and project tracking. 

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design, delivery, and management processes through technology and innovation. 

Competencies and Key Skills: 

• Strong ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects, balancing programe, resources, budgets, and deliverables effectively. 

• Demonstrated capability in both conceptual design development and technical project delivery. 

• Thorough understanding of landscape architecture, public realm design, and multidisciplinary project environments. 

• Ability to maintain design quality, technical standards, and project objectives throughout all stages of delivery. 

• Commercially aware, with an understanding of project performance, resource utilization, and budget management. 

• Strong client-facing skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with clients, stakeholders, consultants, and authorities. 

• Confident in leading project meetings, presentations, workshops, and design coordination sessions. 

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. 

• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. 

• Sound knowledge of landscape construction detailing, materials, planting design, and specification development. 

• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and multiple office locations. 

• Committed to quality assurance, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. 

• Experience working within BIM-enabled design and delivery environments. 

• Ability to leverage AI-enabled tools to enhance design development, visualization, project reporting, and operational efficiency. 

• Demonstrates professionalism, accountability, initiative, and a positive, team-oriented leadership style. 

Desirable Skills: 

• Good understanding of UAE and GCC planning processes, authority requirements, regulations, and approvals.  

• Knowledge of sustainable design principles and industry frameworks such as LEED, Estidama, and SITES  

• Use of Vantagepoint for project planning, resource management, reporting, and performance monitoring. 

Technical Skills: 

• CAD and BIM: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, MicroStation 

• 3D Modelling and Visualization: SketchUp, Rhino (Grasshopper), Lumion, Enscape, or D5 Render 

• Project Scheduling and Office Tools: MS Project, MS Office Suite 

• Graphics and Presentation: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) 

• BIM collaboration platforms 

• Deltek / Vantagepoint (desirable). 

• Irrigation and Specialist Design: Land F/X or equivalent (desirable), 

• GIS and Site Analysis: ArcGIS / QGIS (desirable) 

• Ability to leverage AI tools to improve design exploration, visualization, project delivery, reporting, and operational efficiency (desirable). 
   

Work Experience Requirements: 

• 8+ years of relevant Landscape Architecture experience. 

• UAE/GCC project experience preferred. 

• Demonstrated experience in landscape architecture, public realm, mixed-use, hospitality, residential, or infrastructure projects.  

• Strong portfolio demonstrating design, technical, and project delivery capabilities. 

Education and Qualifications 

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture. 

• Professional affiliation or chartership (CMLI, ASLA, AILA, LI or equivalent) preferred.