Principal Urban Planner

Atkins Realis Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Atkins Realis Group seeks a senior planner to lead master plans, regional plans, and urban design strategies in the UAE. You will manage multidisciplinary teams, coordinate with authorities, and ensure high-quality planning deliverables.

The role requires extensive experience in urban planning, strong communication, and a track record of stakeholder engagement and business development. On-site work in Dubai is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or related field.
• Master's degree in Urban Planning or Urban Design preferred.
• Minimum 15+ years of professional experience in urban planning and master planning.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale urban development, mixed-use, infrastructure, and master planning projects.
• Strong knowledge of UAE planning frameworks, development regulations, and approval processes.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with public and private stakeholders.
• Excellent understanding of land use planning, urban policy development, sustainability, and smart city principles.
• Strong report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experience in client management and business development activities.
• Proficiency in GIS, planning analysis tools, and industry-standard software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of master plans, regional plans, and urban design strategies.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams of planners, urban designers, architects, engineers, and consultants.
• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance throughout all project phases.
• Develop innovative planning solutions balancing economic, environmental, and social objectives.
• Liaise with government authorities, regulatory agencies, developers, and stakeholders.
• Oversee land use planning, zoning assessments, transportation integration, and infrastructure coordination.
• Prepare and review planning reports, feasibility studies, and policy documents.
• Lead stakeholder consultations, workshops, and public engagement activities.
• Monitor project schedules, budgets, resources, and deliverables.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Public engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning/Urban Design/Architecture or related

Master's degree in Urban Planning/Urban Design or relevant field (preferred)

Tools

GIS

Planning analysis tools

Industry-standard software

Job description

Your role Lead the preparation and delivery of master plans regional plans strategic development frameworks and urban design strategies Manage multidisciplinary teams of planners urban designers architects engineers and specialist consultants Provide technical leadership and quality assurance throughout all project phases Develop innovative planning solutions that balance economic environmental and social objectives Liaise with government authorities regulatory agencies developers and key stakeholders Oversee land use planning zoning assessments transportation integration and infrastructure coordination Prepare and review planning reports feasibility studies planning submissions and policy documents Lead stakeholder consultations workshops and public engagement activities Monitor project schedules budgets resources and deliverables to ensure successful project execution Support business development activities including client engagement proposal preparation and project presentations Mentor and develop junior planners and project team members Ensure compliance with local planning regulations municipal requirements and international best practices Promote sustainability resilience smart city initiatives and transit-oriented development principles in planning solutions.

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive at every stage of your life and your career This includes.

• Tax-free salary
• Life insurance coverage
• Medical insurance
• Annual leave balance
• Company gratuity scheme
• Discretionary bonus program
• Annual flight contribution
• Transportation amp housing allowances
• Employee Wellbeing Program
• 24 7 access to specialists in finance legal matters familycare personal health fitness and nutrition

Worker Type Employee Job Type Regular At AtkinsR alis we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics backgrounds and perspectives We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender ethnic or national origin sexual identity and orientation age religion or disability but enriches itself through these differences.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, or a relevant field is preferred.
• Minimum 15+ years of professional experience in urban planning and master planning.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale urban development, mixed-use, infrastructure, and master planning projects.
• Strong knowledge of UAE planning frameworks, development regulations, and approval processes.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with public and private stakeholders.
• Excellent understanding of land use planning, urban policy development, sustainability, and smart city principles.
• Strong report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experience in client management and business development activities.
• Proficiency in GIS, planning analysis tools, and industry-standard software.
• Professional membership with recognized planning institutions such as RTPI, APA, PIA, or equivalent is desirable.
• Ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced consultancy environment.