Intermediate / Senior Urban Designer

Appointment:

Intermediate / Senior Urban Designer

Location:

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Company:

Swan & Maclaren Group (Vietnam Office)

Company Overview:

Headquartered in Singapore, Swan & Maclaren Group (SMG) is Asia's leading architectural design, illumination engineering & management group developing smart build, premium lifestyle, and immersive experiential domains. The Group's architectural and design history began in 1892 (over 130 years) and built some of Singapore landmarks including the Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park, and Victoria Memorial Hall. SMG has an international presence across multiple markets, including Vietnam. (Swan & Maclaren)

Our services include Architecture & Design (A&D); Immersive Experience Design Tech & Build (IE D&B); Green Tech Design (GT) & Green Build (GB); and SM Plus which leads industry partnerships and the Intellectual Property arm within the Group. Designing and enabling sustainable buildings has been our early advocacy and practice. At SMG, we believe in creating a symbiotic and positive relationship between our projects and local communities and the environment, helping to drive towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Summary:

The Intermediate / Senior Urban Designer will support and lead urban design and master planning projects from concept development through planning, coordination, and submission stages in Vietnam. The role includes site analysis, urban design studies, concept and framework planning, preparation of reports and presentation materials, consultant coordination, and compliance with applicable Vietnamese laws, regulations, technical standards, approved planning tasks, and authority requirements. For senior-level candidates, the role will also include team leadership, client management, authority coordination, and mentoring responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Undertakes responsibilities for urban design and master planning projects from inception, conceptualisation, and design development to project completion.

Carries out site analysis, urban studies, benchmarking, feasibility studies, and planning research.

Develops urban design concepts, master plans, land use strategies, urban design guidelines, public realm frameworks, and presentation materials.

Prepares design reports, urban design statements, diagrams, design guidelines, and presentation decks for internal review, client presentations, and authority submissions.

Assists in the preparation of planning dossiers, submission documents, design briefs, and coordination materials in accordance with project requirements.

Ensures that all design proposals are aligned with approved planning tasks, project brief, statutory parameters, and relevant Vietnamese planning and construction regulations.

Monitors the status of authority clearances, comments, approvals, and required revisions.

Liaises and coordinates with clients, architects, planners, landscape architects, engineers, infrastructure consultants, and relevant authorities on project-relevant matters.

Coordinates and controls drafting and production processes for master plans, urban design drawings, diagrams, reports, and presentation boards.

Participates in workshops, design reviews, stakeholder meetings, and technical coordination sessions.

Contributes to the development of sustainable, liveable, and implementable urban environments, including mobility planning, open space systems, placemaking, and development control considerations.

For senior-level candidates, able to lead project teams, manage programme and deliverables, oversee design quality, mentor junior staff, and represent the company in meetings with clients and authorities.

Requirements:

Recognised Degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Urban Planning, or related discipline.

Intermediate level: Minimum 46 years of relevant experience in urban design, master planning, or large-scale mixed-use, township, residential, hospitality, or commercial developments.

Senior level: Minimum 710 years of relevant experience in urban design and master planning, with proven experience leading projects, teams, and consultant coordination.

Strong knowledge of urban design principles, planning processes, placemaking strategies, and land use planning.

Good understanding of Vietnam's urban and rural planning system, project approval processes, and relevant statutory requirements.

Familiar with Vietnamese regulations, technical codes, standards, and authority procedures applicable to urban planning, urban design, and development projects.

Experience in preparing or coordinating planning submissions, urban design reports, and authority presentation materials in Vietnam.

Able to liaise with provincial or city authorities, Departments of Construction, Departments of Planning and Architecture where applicable, and other relevant agencies.

Proficient in design and presentation software such as AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, SketchUp, Rhino, and/or GIS software; Revit knowledge will be an advantage.

Strong graphic, presentation, report-writing, and design communication skills.

Flair in design, with the ability to generate clear concepts and communicate ideas effectively through plans, diagrams, and presentations.

Good coordination and communication skills with clients, consultants, and internal teams.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Proficiency in English is required; Vietnamese language ability will be an advantage.

Relevant practising certificate or professional registration under Vietnamese law will be an advantage, where applicable.

Interested applicants are to submit their resume, portfolio and expected salaries to:

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