Crowd Specialist

Want to work with the most sought-after minds and the most talked-about projects? Your expertise in crowd dynamics and people‑movement engineering might just make you our new Associate Director – Crowd Specialist.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

Your next role

Buro Happold has a clear strategic plan, strong learning culture and entrepreneurial mindset that will allow you to thrive.

You’ll be part of something bigger than us all where sustainability, equity, social and performance outcomes matter. All of Buro Happold is committed to doing the right thing, even when that’s the hardest thing. This is a genuine opportunity to make impact - and leave real legacy.

Your key duties

We are seeking an Associate Director – Crowd Specialist to take a senior technical and leadership role within our major projects masterplanning work, dedicated to specific high‑profile projects in Jeddah. You will lead crowd modelling, shape movement strategies, and work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, resilient, and people‑centric design outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Lead all crowd movement and pedestrian dynamics workstreams for designated Jeddah‑based projects.
• Oversee development, calibration, and validation of complex crowd simulation models (normal operations, event conditions, and emergency scenarios).
• Provide strategic guidance on pedestrian circulation, access/egress, spatial planning, and operational design across the full project lifecycle.
• Integrate crowd insights into engineering masterplans, mobility frameworks, building interfaces, and public realm design.
• Work closely with masterplanning, engineering, transport, and architectural teams in Jeddah and across regional/global studios.
• Present modelling outcomes, risk implications, and design recommendations to clients, authorities, and senior stakeholders.
• Support project leadership in scoping, programme planning, and quality assurance for all crowd‑related deliverables.
• Mentor team members and support the development of best‑practice methodologies and standards across the regional people‑movement discipline.
• Contribute to bid submissions and technical proposals as required.
  
  

Your Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Urban Planning, Transport, Architecture, or related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced crowd simulation tools (e.g., MassMotion, Legion, Pathfinder, STEPS).
• Strong technical foundation in pedestrian movement dynamics, crowd psychology, and human‑centred design principles.
• Experience applying crowd modelling outputs to inform engineering layouts, operational strategies, and masterplanning decisions.
• Skilled at leading multidisciplinary workstreams and coordinating with complex project teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex technical data into clear design guidance.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with clients, authorities, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of large‑scale, high‑density, or high‑risk environments such as event venues, mega/giga projects, transit hubs, cultural districts, or mixed‑use developments.
• Understanding of regional Middle East codes, regulations, operational practices, or willingness to quickly adapt.
• Postgraduate qualifications or professional memberships are advantageous but not required.
  
  

What We Offer You

Bring your knowledge and expertise to one of the world’s most respected consultancies.

• Hybrid working arrangements
• Attractive salary and benefits package
• A strong commitment to your continuous development. Whatever stage in your career, we have a learning and development programme that will enable and empower you
• Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
• An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won’t be far from the exceptional.
  
  

At Buro Happold, everyone else’s extraordinary is just our everyday.

Apply today and be a part of our legacy.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing difference allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments, we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [email protected] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.

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