Planning - Urban Designer

HOK marked its 70th anniversary in 2025, and we continue to be a collective of future-forward thinkers and designers committed to tackling the critical challenges of our time. Our mission is simple yet powerful: improve lives, serve our clients, and heal the planet. At HOK, design excellence thrives at the intersection of art and science-where creativity meets purpose.

Explore some of our recent work in the HOK 2026 Design Annual and see how we're shaping the future of design.

HOK's New York office is seeking an Urban Designer to join our growing Planning practice. This individual will participate in all phases of large-scale projects for a variety of clients, and may scope work and develop project approach and work plans for support projects.

Application must include both resume and portfolio (or portfolio link).

Responsibilities

• Uses experience and knowledge of urban design to contribute towards success of the team, to design and review documents according to established standards.
• Guides project due diligence, including mapping physical site opportunities and constraints, synthesizes key performance metrics and relevant regulatory parameters.
• Strategic application of common urban design benchmarks, precedent imagery and data, based upon project and client needs.
• Drives creative urban design concepts and strategies for conceptual plan frameworks of open space, circulation and land use.
• Initiates approaches to the creation and modification of urban design documents, drawings and performs advanced calculations, ensuring the incorporation of design intent.
• Outlines, mocks up and develops urban design graphics, reports, standards and guidelines and presentation materials. Prepares content to be shared with outside design and consulting partners.
• Knowledge of urban design concepts for a range of urban design project types.
• Develops strategies for urban design frameworks, systems diagrams and conceptual plans under guidance of Senior Urban Designer. Initiates urban design concepts. Supports team design content creation and project organization. Demonstrates reliable understanding of the relationship between design and feasibility.
• Continually contributes to the upgrade of the urban design process and team workflows, with excellent tools and systems management to produce high quality deliverables.
• Initiates urban design concepts based on knowledge of site planning strategies (including land use mix, block sizes, open space, building and street types and placemaking).
• Assists with project related client presentations and external events, may lead sub-topic or table conversations. Participates actively in collaborative team design meetings.
• Collaboratively incorporates integrated Sustainable Design solutions into projects with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Leads design team in completing tasks and responsibilities on projects, within the scope of work, schedule, and budget, in an organized, timely and consistent way. Ability to prioritize obligations based on task prioritization and understanding of contractual obligations and client expectations.
• Begins to develop successful client experiences through excellence in design and information coordination.
• Reads and understands Agreements to Work within budget, schedule, work plan and client constraints.
• Assists with marketing opportunities, interviews and proposals, workplans and schedules.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Fosters a commitment to external and internal client service.
• Proactively engages staff to mentor and direct the work of less experienced staff.
• Actively promotes collaborative culture and innovative design alternatives, puts efforts towards successful project delivery.
• Demonstrates effective conflict resolution techniques with project team members.
• Assists with HOK document QA/QC and Best Practice management standards are met and archives documents appropriately.
• Actively participates in project and team quality control reviews and self-checks work for accuracy, omissions, legibility and document completion.

Education & Experience

• Master’s, or Bachelor’s, degree in urban design, planning or architecture.
• 5-10 years’ experience; or equivalent in appropriate education and experience required.
• LEED credential required within 12 months of employment. LEED ND preferred.

Many of our roles require the use of specific software. Please refer to the Required and Preferred Software & Skills for details.

HOK invests in its people and communities, supporting both personal and professional growth through every stage of life. At HOK you’ll have a hybrid work environment, 10 paid holidays (including 2 floating holidays) and a minimum of 4 weeks of paid time off with a cash out option.

HOK offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, free mental wellness resources, life and AD&D coverage and short and long-term disability benefits. HOK supports your growing family by offering 4 weeks of paid parental leave and fertility coverage.

HOK helps to fund your future financial needs with matching contributions to our 401(K) plan which includes a well-rounded investment menu as well as free guidance on retirement planning.

Wherever you are in your career, HOK provides opportunities to learn, develop and utilize your skills. Continued learning is promoted through financial support and study prep for licensure exams, CEU credit opportunities, mentorship programs, and paid professional memberships. To learn more about designing your career with HOK, explore our current job openings.

HOK is an EOE, including disability/vets.