Technical Director – Urban Development

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

Job summary

A leading design firm in Dubai is seeking a Senior Design Director to provide strategic and technical leadership for integrated urban planning projects. The ideal candidate will have 15-17 years of experience and a proven track record in the Middle East, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and ensuring compliance with best practices. This role involves client engagement and directing the delivery of high-quality urban design solutions.

Qualifications

• 15–17 years of professional experience in master planning, urban development, and integrated urbanism.
• Proven track record in major planning projects, especially in the Middle East.
• Registered with a recognized urban planning or design body.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across all design stages.
• Direct project planning and execution.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and codes.
• Manage client relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support business development and strategic growth.

Skills

Leadership

Urban planning

Design excellence

Project management

Environmental awareness

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in urban planning, architecture, engineering

Tools

CAD software

GIS

MS Office

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Technical Leadership

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across all design stages—from strategy and concept to technical delivery and implementation.
• Provide vision and direction for the integration of urban planning, landscape architecture, transport, sustainability, and nature-based solutions within projects.
• Develop and enforce M-SUIT’s technical standards, design methodologies, and quality assurance protocols.
• Guide strategic design reviews and integrated design frameworks on large-scale, complex projects in urban regeneration, public realm, nature services, and masterplanning.

Project Oversight & Delivery

• Direct project planning, design, and execution across varied geographies and contexts.
• Oversee the translation of concept into deliverables, ensuring that environmental systems, public realm frameworks, cultural contexts, and urban design principles are embedded from inception to handover.
• Ensure all work complies with relevant regulations, codes, and best practices locally and internationally.
• Coordinate seamlessly with infrastructure, architecture, and engineering teams to ensure holistic delivery of integrated design solutions.

Studio Culture & Mentorship

• Champion a creative, supportive and multidisciplinary studio culture that fosters growth, design excellence, and cross-discipline collaboration.
• Actively mentor junior and mid-level team members internally.
• Embed a culture of environmental awareness, design innovation, and continuous learning.

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Lead high-level client engagements, managing relationships and ensuring strategic alignment and satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
• Hands on work on high-quality presentations and reports to present design concepts, progress, and final master plans to clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
• Support the Business Development team by identifying opportunities, participating in proposal development, and presenting at client pitches.
• Represent M-SUIT in key industry events, conferences, and public forums to position the studio as a leader in integrated landscape and urbanism.
• Support strategic growth by developing service offerings around Nature Services, Smart City strategies, Cultural Landscapes, Public Realm Guidelines, and Regeneration Frameworks.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & ATTRIBUTES

• Bachelor’s and / or Master’s in urban planning, architecture, engineering, or a related field.
• 15–17 years of professional experience in master planning, urban development, and integrated urbanism.
• Proven track record as Design Director / Project Director / Project Manager for regionally significant and globally recognized masterplanning projects—particularly in the Middle East (e.g., NEOM, The Line, Expo 2020, King Salman Park, SDC Downtowns).
• Professional experience across diverse geographies, with emphasis on Gulf and MENA regions.
• Proficiency in CAD software, geographic information systems (GIS), MS Office, and other technical tools relevant to urban development.
• Registered with or certified by a recognized urban planning or urban design body (e.g. RTPI, AICP, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate large multidisciplinary teams across complex project lifecycles, from strategy to implementation.
• Familiarity with regulatory codes, international best practices, and international guidelines
• Committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and environmentally responsible studio culture.