Requirements
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, or Architecture, with a Master's degree preferred. Must have a minimum of 18 years of experience in large-scale masterplanning and urban development projects, including at least 3 years of experience within the UAE. Significant experience leading multidisciplinary consultant teams on complex developments, with a background from a leading developer or consultancy, is essential. Proven track record in mixed-use, residential, waterfront, destination, or city-scale developments and a strong understanding of development strategy, land-use planning, infrastructure coordination, and project delivery are required.
Description
Job description / Role
Job Type
Full Time
Job Location
UAE
Nationality
Any Nationality
Salary
Not Specified
Gender
Not Specified
Arabic Fluency
Not Specified
Job Function
Architecture
Company Industry
Construction
The Director of Masterplanning will lead the planning, vision, and design direction for major development programmes across a leading Abu Dhabi developer's portfolio. The role will shape large-scale communities, destinations, mixed-use developments, waterfront projects, and strategic urban initiatives from concept through delivery.
This is a senior leadership role requiring strong masterplanning expertise, commercial awareness, consultant leadership, and the ability to balance design excellence with development viability, infrastructure integration, sustainability, and long-term place value.
MUST HAVE MIN 3 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN UAE
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
* Lead the planning and design direction for complex masterplanning programmes.
* Establish planning strategies aligned with commercial objectives, market positioning, and placemaking ambitions.
* Advise executive leadership on planning opportunities, risks, and design direction.
* Translate corporate objectives into practical planning frameworks and implementation strategies.
* Champion design excellence while balancing programme, commercial, and delivery requirements.
Project Leadership
* Direct multidisciplinary consultant teams from early visioning and feasibility through authority approvals and implementation.
* Lead the preparation and review of masterplans, planning frameworks, development strategies, and urban design proposals.
* Resolve complex planning, design, infrastructure, and delivery challenges across multiple projects.
* Ensure planning solutions respond to commercial, environmental, operational, and customer requirements.
* Maintain consistency and quality across all planning deliverables.
Development Strategy
* Maximise land value, development efficiency, and long-term project performance.
* Lead land-use optimisation, density studies, phasing strategies, and development scenarios.
* Work closely with Development and Commercial teams to support business cases and investment decisions.
* Ensure planning decisions are informed by market demand, infrastructure capacity, and delivery constraints.
* Identify opportunities to enhance project value while maintaining design quality.
Design Governance
* Establish planning standards, design governance processes, and quality assurance procedures.
* Lead design reviews and provide clear direction to internal teams and external consultants.
* Ensure alignment with approved visions, planning principles, and corporate objectives.
* Drive continuous improvement in planning methodologies, tools, and design standards.
Stakeholder Leadership
* Build strong relationships with executive leadership, government authorities, utility providers, and strategic partners.
* Present planning strategies and recommendations to executive committees, boards, and external stakeholders.
* Lead complex stakeholder discussions and negotiate balanced planning outcomes.
* Represent the developer in senior planning and design forums where required.
Team Leadership
* Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing masterplanning team.
* Foster a collaborative, accountable, and innovative team culture.
* Support succession planning, capability development, and professional growth.
* Provide coaching and technical leadership across planning disciplines.
Innovation & Best Practice
* Promote innovation in planning methodologies, digital tools, and urban development practices.
* Encourage integration of smart city principles, sustainability, and data-driven planning.
* Monitor global planning trends and apply relevant best practice across the portfolio.
* Support the organisation's reputation as a regional leader in city-making and destination development.
Requirements:
Qualifications & Experience
* Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or related discipline.
* Master's degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, or related field preferred.
* Minimum 18+ years' experience delivering large-scale masterplanning and urban development projects.
* MIN 3 years UAE EXPERIENCE
* Significant experience leading multidisciplinary consultant teams on complex developments.
* Background with a leading developer, master developer, or internationally recognised planning/design consultancy.
* Proven track record across mixed-use, residential, waterfront, destination, tourism, or city-scale developments.
* Strong understanding of development strategy, land-use planning, infrastructure coordination, and project delivery.
* GCC experience and exposure to government/public-sector stakeholders required.
Skills & Competencies
* Exceptional masterplanning and urban development expertise.
* Strong understanding of development economics, land-use optimisation, and project viability.
* Ability to influence senior stakeholders and build consensus.
* Proven ability to lead multiple complex programmes simultaneously.
* Sound understanding of planning approvals, governance, and regulatory processes.
About the Company
Blake Anderson is a boutique consultancy based in the UK, with a satellite office in Dubai. Specialising in Technical and Construction Recruitment, Blake Anderson provides a superior service to clients and candidates within the construction and technical sectors.
We concentrate on placing professionals throughout the world, focusing mainly on the Middle East and Asia, drawing on both the global and local markets for highly qualified professionals. In order to attract the best talent, we invest in various high-end advertising mediums.
With a database of 1,000's of candidates, our experienced consultants have a wealth of recruitment knowledge and have a consultative approach at all times, ensuring a second to none service.
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