Head of Department - Group Planning & Development

MVC Resources; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent development firm is seeking a Head of Department for Group Planning & Development in Kuala Lumpur. This role requires strategic leadership in retail and mixed-use developments, focusing on planning frameworks and execution standards across all business units. Candidates must have at least 15 years of experience in property development, with significant leadership experience. Knowledge of digital planning tools and regulatory strategies is essential. This position offers the opportunity to drive innovation and standardisation on a regional scale.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in property development with a focus on retail and mixed-use.
• At least 3 years in a senior leadership or group-level role.
• Proven track record leading large-scale retail or mixed-use developments.

Responsibilities

• Lead group-level strategic planning and feasibility for developments.
• Establish strategies for regulatory engagement and approvals.
• Define design governance frameworks for project consistency.

Skills

Retail & Mixed-use Development Planning

Strategic & Feasibility Planning

Regulatory & Approval Strategy

Digital & Data-Driven Planning

Leadership & Governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate, or a related discipline

Master’s degree in Urban Design, Business Administration, or Strategic Management

Tools

BIM

GIS

Power BI

Job description

Head of Department - Group Planning & Development

This role provides group-level strategic leadership across the end-to-end planning and development lifecycle of Retail and Mixed-use developments. This role is responsible for setting clear development vision, planning frameworks, and execution standards that are consistently applied across all business units in Malaysia.

The incumbent leads the formulation of development strategies from early feasibility through authority approvals and implementation readiness, while institutionalising digitalisation, innovation, and data-driven planning practices. The role requires an adaptable and agile leader who can operate in a plug-and-play manner across different projects, markets, and organisational structures.

Key Outcomes

• Retail and mixed-use development strategies are commercially viable, approval-ready, and aligned with long-term business objectives.
• Standardised project planning frameworks, design governance, and digital tools are embedded consistently across all business units in Malaysia.
• Digital and data-driven planning practices improve decision-making quality, speed, and predictability across the development lifecycle.
• Multidisciplinary teams are aligned and guided effectively from concept planning through to implementation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Group-Level Strategic Planning & Feasibility

• Define development vision, planning principles, and strategic parameters for retail and mixed-use projects (e.g. shopping centres, lifestyle retail, integrated mixed-use developments).
• Lead and standardise feasibility assessment approaches across business units, covering land use optimisation, product positioning, phasing strategies, infrastructure readiness, and risk assessment.
• Direct integrated feasibility studies combining spatial, financial, market, and regulatory inputs using digital planning and analytics tools.
• Engage senior management and investment stakeholders to align development strategies with overall business priorities.

2. Regulatory Strategy & Authority Engagement

• Establish group-level strategies for early authority engagement, pre-consultation, and approval pathway optimisation for retail and mixed-use developments.
• Provide leadership and resolution for escalated regulatory, planning, or submission-related issues across projects.
• Build and maintain strong institutional relationships with federal, state, and local authorities to support planning outcomes and development timelines.

3. Design Governance & Development Standards

• Define and enforce design governance frameworks to ensure consistency between master planning intent, design quality, commercial objectives, and buildability.
• Oversee concept development and design evaluation to optimise retail planning efficiency, customer experience, sustainability outcomes, and long-term asset performance.
• Drive standardisation of design review processes, technical benchmarks, and consultant management practices across business units.

4. Digitalisation, Innovation & Implementation Enablement

• Champion group-level digital transformation initiatives in project planning, including the adoption of BIM, GIS, digital dashboards, and data analytics platforms.
• Ensure digital tools are embedded early in planning stages to support scenario modelling, option evaluation, and informed decision-making.
• Guide the evaluation of design concepts and mock-ups to validate functionality, market fit, and user experience.
• Lead post-project reviews and lessons‑learned exercises to continuously refine planning standards, tools, and methodologies.

Cross-Functional & Group Responsibilities

• Stakeholder Alignment & Governance: Provide clear direction and alignment across internal stakeholders including Design, Construction, Leasing, Sales, Finance, and Legal, advising management on key trade‑offs and decision points.
• Standardisation Across Business Units: Develop scalable, adaptable planning frameworks that can be applied consistently while remaining flexible to project‑specific needs.
• Risk & Compliance Oversight: Anticipate regulatory, planning, and implementation risks and develop compliant mitigation strategies at a group level.
• Leadership & Capability Building: Lead, mentor, and develop planning and development teams, fostering strategic thinking, adaptability, and innovation.

Requirements

Technical Expertise

• Retail & Mixed-use Development Planning: Strong command of planning, phasing, and integration of retail and mixed-use components within larger developments.
• Strategic & Feasibility Planning: Ability to translate market, regulatory, and commercial inputs into clear development strategies and planning decisions.
• Regulatory & Approval Strategy: Deep understanding of planning and approval frameworks with the ability to influence outcomes and streamline processes.
• Digital & Data-Driven Planning: Proficiency in digital planning, analytics, and coordination tools (e.g. BIM, GIS, Power BI) to enhance planning effectiveness.
• Leadership & Governance: Proven capability in leading cross-functional teams, managing complexity, and driving alignment at a group level.

Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate, or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree in Urban Design, Business Administration, or Strategic Management is an advantage.
• Professional accreditation in Project Management or Urban Planning is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in property development, with a strong focus on retail and/or mixed-use project planning and development.
• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior leadership or group-level role.
• Proven track record in leading large-scale retail or mixed-use developments and managing complex stakeholder and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated ability to drive digitalisation, innovation, and standardisation across multiple projects or business units.
• Strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capability.

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