Associate Director / Director – Master Planning

Surbana Jurong; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consultancy in the UAE is looking for a strategic leader in urban planning to drive design excellence and lead high-performing teams. The ideal candidate will have 15-25 years of experience in master planning and urban development in the GCC. Responsibilities include overseeing major projects, managing client relationships, and contributing to business development efforts. Join us in delivering sustainable urban environments.

Qualifications

• 15-20+ years of progressive planning experience for AD role; 20-25+ years for Director role.
• Proven leadership on major master planning and urban development projects in UAE/GCC.
• Excellent communication and conceptual skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver large-scale master plans and regional strategies.
• Oversee planning deliverables and quality assurance.
• Manage key client relationships and lead presentations.

Skills

Leadership

Client engagement

Problem-solving

Business development

Education

Degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design or related field

Job description

• Global consultancy with 16,500+ experts, delivering integrated design, engineering, and program management solutions across 40+ countries.
• Lead major master planning and city-shaping programs across the UAE and GCC, influencing national agendas and long-term development strategies.
• Shape and grow a high-performing regional planning practice, driving design excellence, innovation, and multidisciplinary integration.

About Surbana Jurong (SJ Group):

Surbana Jurong (SJ Group) is a global urban, infrastructure, and engineering consultancy with 16,500+ employees in 40+ countries. Our Middle East studios deliver transformative projects across landscape architecture, buildings & cities, infrastructure, and environmental planning.

About the Role:

Provide strategic leadership, technical direction, and delivery excellence across master planning, regional planning, and urban design projects. Drive design quality, strengthen client partnerships, expand market presence, and lead the development of high-performing planning teams across the region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver large-scale master plans, regional strategies, and urban development frameworks.
• Oversee planning deliverables, quality assurance, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Manage key client relationships, lead presentations, and ensure delivery excellence.
• Strengthen business development efforts through proposals, win strategies, and market insights.
• Mentor and grow the capabilities of planning and urban design teams.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design, or related field.
• 15-20+ years (AD) or 20–25+ years (Director) of progressive planning experience.
• Proven leadership on major master planning and urban development projects in UAE/GCC.
• Strong client engagement, team leadership, and business development ability.
• Excellent communication, conceptual, and problem-solving skills.

Why Join SJ?

Join a global, multidisciplinary consultancy shaping sustainable, people‑centric environments across 40+ countries. Work with world-class teams and lead impactful landscape design across the region.

All recruitment activities are managed by our Talent Acquisition team. Unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!