Director - Urban Design

AECOM; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global infrastructure consulting firm is seeking an Urban Design Director in Dubai. This role involves providing strategic leadership for urban design and masterplanning projects, ensuring design excellence and client satisfaction. Candidates should have over 15 years of experience, a degree in Architecture, and a track record of delivering large-scale projects. The position requires strong skills in client management and business development, as well as frequent travel. Join a team dedicated to creating sustainable urban environments.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work options

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience in urban design and masterplanning, with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale urban and mixed-use developments.
• Strong experience working with public-sector authorities and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead urban design and masterplanning projects, shaping sustainable urban environments.
• Set vision and quality standards for urban design across projects.
• Review and approve project briefs, ensuring design excellence.

Skills

Client management

Business development

Leadership

Design communication

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree in Architecture or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is currently seeking an Urban Design Director, to join our Urbanism + Planning studio, based in Dubai.

The Urban Design Director will provide strategic leadership for urban design and masterplanning projects, shaping high-quality, sustainable, and commercially successful urban environments. This role combines design excellence with client leadership, business development, and team mentorship, contributing to the AECOM’s regional growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of masterplans, urban strategies, frameworks, and design guidelines at city, district, and precinct scales.
• Set the urban design vision and quality standards across projects, ensuring design excellence and consistency.
• Review and approve project briefs, scopes of work, programmes, and fee proposals from a design perspective.
• Allocate resources appropriately across projects, ensuring the right skills are deployed at the right stages.
• Monitor workload, delivery performance, and design quality across designated portfolio.
• Lead the development of design concepts, spatial structures, and urban narratives for major projects.
• Provide critical design input on land use planning, massing strategies, public realm networks, and place identity.
• Contribute to regional growth strategy, identifying new opportunities in urban design, masterplanning, and advisory services.
• Lead coordination between urban design, planning, architecture, landscape, transport, and engineering disciplines.
• Ensure a consistent, high-quality client experience across all touchpoints.
• Support account management strategies and key client plans.
• Drive repeat work through strong delivery performance and value-added advisory.
• Represent AECOM in high-level client meetings, public forums, and stakeholder engagements.
• Lead client workshops, stakeholder engagement sessions, and design reviews with senior decision-makers.

Qualifications

• Degree in Architecture, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 15+ years’ experience in urban design and masterplanning, with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale urban and mixed-use developments.
• Strong experience working with public-sector authorities, developers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated success in client management, business development, and work-winning.
• Excellent design communication skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and strategic mindset.
• Applicants must be willing to travel frequently.

Additional Information

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle— from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects—both in your local community and on a global scale—that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—to create a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.