Central Region Director, Urban Design

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe architecture is more than designing buildings, it’s about providing solutions to societal challenges and creating stronger, more vibrant communities. As part of our Architecture practice at HDR, you’ll contribute to the design and delivery of spaces and experiences that advance community well-being around the world. From healing environments and learning spaces to research labs and civic landmarks and infrastructure, your work will directly influence how individuals experience the world around them. We bring together architects, planners, designers, and technical experts to solve complex design challenges with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. From championing design excellence with an emphasis on resilience and sustainability to pioneering innovative building technologies, your contributions will leave a lasting impact on the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive meaningful change and help define the future of our communities.

Urban design is a collaborative, interdisciplinary profession that makes places better for people by shaping buildings and the public realm, promoting good design of streets, parks, plazas, neighborhoods and infrastructure that provide solutions to societal challenges and create stronger, more vibrant communities. At HDR, we are building a practice that positions urban design as an integrator; a leadership discipline. Our urban designers lead complex teams on interdisciplinary projects. We also support projects by providing an urban design lens within a multidisciplinary team. A passion for collaboration is key to this practice, as we partner with numerous disciplines, including transportation planning, urban planning, architecture, transit, strategic communications, civil site engineering, environmental remediation, and architecture. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive meaningful change and help define the future of our communities.

In the role of Central Region Director, Urban Design, we’ll count on you to:
• Develop innovative, creative, integrated and effective design solutions
• Have an established design reputation evident through design and planning awards, publications, community and industry engagement, and positive client references
• Lead in the development of an urban design and community planning practice in the central region of the united states, in collaboration with other disciplines and geographies
• Bring vision, a positive attitude, and team-building skills in spearheading urban design at HDR, and effectively partnering with other marketing and operations leaders
• Provide design and thought leadership for public realm design in urban environments, including those related to urban revitalization, infrastructure, industrial, health, mobility or other community-specific challenges
• Be involved in local, regional and national professional design-related organizations. Seek leadership opportunities that position HDR as a thought leader within the urban design profession and within our broader AE industry.
• Develop new business opportunity with new and existing clients, helping them to conceive ideas and establish a vision for future projects
• Provide input and leadership in business development and marketing efforts for HDR’s services
• Lead Interdisciplinary teams for various projects types, including civic, campus, transit-oriented development and communities, urban and industrial redevelopment of various scales and complexity.
• Work as an integral part of design teams; guiding concepts and ideas from pursuit and selection, through successful project completion; demonstrating initiative and excellent design skills.
• Develop innovative, creative, integrated and effective design solutions that apply sustainability and resiliency principles with an intent to create equitable community development
• Perform site analysis and design concept development including digital and/or hand-illustrated deliverables suitable to communicate design intent to clients and staff
• Mentor and develop other urban designers, challenging, inspiring and/or motivating them (and others) to join HDR. Identify, attract and retain staff
• Mentor junior, mid-level and senior staff to enable an engaged and collaborative team environment

Preferred Qualifications:
• 20+ years of professional experience working as an urban designer or urban planner in the central region of the United States
• Proven track record of pursuing and winning large-scale planning and urban design projects, including cross-selling of architecture, engineering and planning services
• AICP Certified
• Strong design skills on urban and institutionally-scaled projects
• Collaborative experience working within a multi-disciplinary design studio on a full range of planning and design project phases

Required Qualifications
• Bachelors in Architecture or closely related field
• A minimum of 15 years experience functioning as a lead designer on a variety of project scales and complexities
• Proven track record of winning project pursuits and maintaining strong client relationships
• Experience in leading a collaborative, iterative design process with clients and colleagues
• Experience and/or interest in integrating sustainable building design
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Must be capable of leading a team and making client presentations
• Ability to collaborate and integrate with existing team
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Salary ranges: Denver $162,008 - 231,440; Chicago $162,008 - 231,440; Minneapolis $154,644 - 220,920 Primary Location:United States-Nebraska-Omaha Other Locations:United States-Missouri-Kansas City, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-Texas-Houston, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Illinois-Chicago Industry:Urban Design, Planning, Landscape Architecture Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Urban Design-Planning-Landscape Architecture Job Posting:May 7, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.