Principal Urban Planner

WSP USA; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering consultancy in Dubai is seeking a Principal Urban Planner to lead strategic spatial planning projects. This role involves oversight of multidisciplinary teams, ensuring high-quality outcomes, and engaging with clients and stakeholders. Candidates must have a degree in urban planning, a minimum of 12 years of experience, and a strong background in project delivery within multidisciplinary environments.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of post‑qualification experience required.
• Experience in strategic spatial planning projects is essential.
• Must work well in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of planning inputs for strategic spatial plans.
• Oversee scope, schedule, budget, and risk management.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams and foster collaboration.
• Drive high-quality graphic and technical presentation outputs.

Skills

Strategic spatial planning

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Client engagement

Technical excellence

Education

Degree or post‑graduate qualification in urban planning

Job description

As a Principal Urban Planner within the Development, Planning & Urban Design team, you will lead the planning function for strategic spatial planning projects, ensuring coordination between disciplines and successful delivery of high‑quality outcomes. The role requires strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams, strategic project oversight, client engagement, and hands‑on technical excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical preparation of planning inputs for large‑scale strategic spatial plans, strategies, planning policies, frameworks, technical reports, land use analysis, and regulatory submissions, ensuring alignment with client objectives, regulatory frameworks, and international best practices.
• Oversee scope, schedule, budget, and risk management for planning components, ensuring robust controls and successful project outcomes.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams across planning, design, environment, infrastructure, and sustainability disciplines, fostering collaboration and integrated solutions.
• Lead consultations with government agencies, developers, and community stakeholders, building consensus and securing approvals for complex planning proposals.
• Drive high‑quality graphic, written, and technical presentation outputs that communicate planning vision, evidence‑based reasoning, and compelling recommendations to clients, executive audiences, and government stakeholders.
• Implement rigorous QA/QC processes for planning deliverables, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and integration across all technical inputs.
• Line‑manage and mentor junior planners, promoting professional growth, knowledge sharing, and a collaborative team culture.
• Champion a collaborative, multicultural team culture, supporting professional development, knowledge sharing, and structured team delivery.
• Lead the preparation of bids, proposals, and technical submissions for major strategic planning, urban design, and multi‑disciplinary projects, contributing to work‑winning and business development strategies.
• Will be required to travel within the Middle East region to projects in a variety of geographical locations, including Saudi Arabia.

Qualifications

• Degree or post‑graduate qualification in urban planning, or related field and preferably with a professional affiliation (or eligible for membership).
• Minimum 12 years post‑qualification experience.
• Demonstrable project experience in working on and delivering strategic spatial planning projects.
• Experience in working within a multidisciplinary team – including external sub‑consultants – is essential.