Sustainability Planner - Sustainable Urban Development Job Snapshot - Role: Sustainability Planner - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Architecture and Planning - Function: Town-City Planning - Experience: Previous experience in sustainability-led masterplanning; minimum years not specified - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: Hybrid
AECOM is seeking a Sustainability Planner to join its multidisciplinary consulting team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The role focuses on integrating sustainability principles into urban planning, masterplanning, and design decisions to support environmentally responsible and resilient development. The successful candidate will contribute to sustainability frameworks, performance targets, implementation roadmaps, and project-level assessments. Key areas of focus include energy, water, carbon, sustainable mobility, ecology, climate resilience, and circular economy principles. Working with planning, design, and technical specialists, the Sustainability Planner will undertake research, assess relevant sustainability standards, prepare technical reports, and monitor progress against project sustainability commitments. Candidates should understand sustainable urban planning and masterplanning principles. An active LEED, Estidama, or Sahel credential at community level is required, while an educational background in Sustainability Planning is preferred.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Architecture and Planning
Function: Town-City Planning
Salary: Not disclosed
Gender: No Preference
Candidate Nationality: Not specified
Job Type: Full Time
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Key Responsibilities
Sustainability Planning and Masterplanning
- Support the integration of sustainability principles into urban planning and design decisions throughout project development.
- Contribute to sustainability-led masterplanning activities and associated project deliverables.
- Assist in developing sustainability frameworks that reflect project objectives and environmental priorities.
- Support the establishment of measurable sustainability performance targets.
- Contribute to implementation roadmaps outlining actions required to achieve sustainability objectives.
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary design teams to incorporate sustainability considerations into masterplan development.
- Help ensure sustainability recommendations are communicated effectively throughout the planning and design process.
Sustainability Assessments and Certification
- Contribute to sustainability assessments at masterplan and community development levels.
- Support evaluations involving applicable sustainability rating systems and certification frameworks.
- Assist with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) studies where relevant to project requirements.
- Review sustainability performance against established project targets and assessment criteria.
- Support documentation required for sustainability-related client submissions.
- Coordinate technical information needed to demonstrate progress against applicable sustainability objectives.
- Assist project teams in interpreting relevant sustainability assessment requirements.
Environmental Performance Analysis
- Evaluate sustainability considerations across energy consumption and resource efficiency.
- Support assessments relating to water conservation and responsible water management.
- Contribute to carbon-related analysis and sustainability performance evaluation.
- Review sustainable mobility considerations within urban and masterplanning projects.
- Assist in assessing ecology and environmental considerations relevant to development planning.
- Support the integration of climate resilience principles into project recommendations.
- Evaluate circular economy considerations and opportunities for more efficient resource use.
- Communicate findings to multidisciplinary teams to inform planning and design decisions.
Research, Benchmarking and Sustainability Standards
- Research local and international sustainability standards, policies, and recognised best practices.
- Undertake benchmarking activities to inform sustainability planning recommendations.
- Analyse relevant sustainability frameworks and their application to masterplanning projects.
- Review technical information relating to sustainable urban development.
- Identify relevant approaches to environmental performance and sustainability implementation.
- Prepare research findings and recommendations for project teams.
- Maintain awareness of developments in sustainable planning, design, and environmental assessment practices.
Multidisciplinary Project Coordination
- Collaborate with planners, designers, engineers, and other technical specialists.
- Collect and review design information required for sustainability assessments.
- Analyse project information against agreed sustainability objectives and performance targets.
- Coordinate with relevant disciplines to identify opportunities for improved sustainability outcomes.
- Communicate technical findings and outstanding information requirements.
- Support consistent integration of sustainability considerations across project activities.
- Assist teams in tracking sustainability-related actions and commitments.
Sustainability Performance Monitoring
- Monitor project sustainability commitments and associated implementation activities.
- Track progress against established sustainability objectives and performance targets.Identify outstanding sustainability actions requiring further coordination.
- Communicate relevant findings to project teams and stakeholders.
- Support the implementation of agreed sustainability recommendations.
- Maintain appropriate documentation of sustainability-related progress and assessments.
- Contribute to effective reporting on sustainability performance throughout project development.
Technical Reporting and Documentation
- Prepare technical reports covering sustainability assessments, research, and project recommendations.
- Support preparation of documentation for client submissions and project deliverables.
- Present sustainability findings in a clear and structured manner.
- Organise supporting technical information and assessment results.
- Maintain accurate records of sustainability objectives, targets, and relevant project information.
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to obtain supporting data for reports.
- Ensure sustainability recommendations are supported by relevant research and analysis.
Qualifications and Professional Requirements
- An educational background in Sustainability Planning is preferred.
- An active credential in LEED, Estidama, or Sahel at community level is required.
- Additional accreditations relevant to sustainable planning, design, and development will be considered an advantage.
- Understanding of sustainable urban planning and masterplanning principles.
- Previous experience working on sustainability-led masterplanning projects, including sustainability frameworks, performance targets, and implementation roadmaps.
- Ability to interpret technical information and communicate findings clearly.
- Effective teamwork and coordination skills within multidisciplinary project environments.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Technical Skills and Competencies
- Sustainable urban planning and masterplanning.
- Sustainability framework development.
- Environmental performance targets and implementation roadmaps.
- Community-level sustainability rating and certification frameworks.
- LEED, Estidama, or Sahel sustainability credentials.
- Environmental, social, and governance assessments.
- Energy and water sustainability analysis.
- Carbon performance and resource efficiency.
- Sustainable mobility and ecological considerations.
- Climate resilience and circular economy principles.
- Sustainability research and benchmarking.
- Local and international sustainability standards.
- Multidisciplinary planning and design coordination.
- Sustainability performance monitoring.
- Technical reporting and client documentation.
- Analytical thinking and professional communication.
Recruitment and Onboarding Requirements
AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and takes fraudulent hiring activities seriously. All newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding session at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
Company Information
Employer: AECOM
Business Line: U&P
Business Group: DCS
Strategic Business Unit: ME and Africa
Career Area: Consulting Services
Work Location Model: Hybrid Working at AECOM
Employee Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Life, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability benefits.
- Paid time off and leave arrangements.
- Voluntary employee benefits and additional perks.
- Flexible work options, where applicable.
- Employee well-being resources and assistance programmes.
- Business travel insurance.
- Service recognition awards.
- Retirement savings plans.
- Employee stock purchase plans.
Specific benefits and eligibility conditions for this vacancy have not been disclosed.
About AECOM
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm providing professional services across transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings. The company partners with public and private sector clients to address complex infrastructure challenges through advisory services, planning, design, engineering, programme management, and construction management. With more than 50,000 professionals worldwide, AECOM combines multidisciplinary expertise to develop innovative, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure solutions. AECOM is a Fortune 500 company that reported revenue of USD 16.1 billion for fiscal year 2025. Guided by its purpose of delivering a better world, AECOM contributes to projects that improve essential infrastructure, advance sustainable development, strengthen communities, and create lasting value for future generations.