HEAD, PROJECT PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Ecoworld International; Malaysia; Hybrid; MYR 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

EcoWorld is seeking a Head of Project Planning & Development to set and execute the strategic planning vision for all development projects in Malaysia. You will oversee master planning, feasibility modelling, regulatory navigation, and the digital transformation of planning workflows to ensure viable, profitable project pipelines.

You will integrate market intelligence with policy frameworks, lead multi-stakeholder engagements, and drive design innovation from land potential to project

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in urban planning, architecture, or civil engineering; master’s preferred.
• 15+ years in real estate development with senior planning leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and navigate regulatory approvals.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and evaluate project vision, land use strategy, and layouts.
• Lead regulatory engagement with authorities to secure approvals.
• Direct planners, architects, engineers, and consultants; ensure submission readiness.
• Promote digital planning workflows and dashboards for tracking milestones.

Skills

Strategic planning

Regulatory navigation

Leadership

Digital tools

GIS

BIM

AutoCAD

Power BI

Microsoft Project

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning

Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s Degree in Urban Design

Master’s Degree in Business Administration

Master’s Degree in Strategic Planning

PMP certification

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

BIM

Microsoft Project

Power BI

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! Role Summary: The Head, Project Planning & Development (PPD) is accountable for setting and executing the strategic planning vision for all EcoWorld development projects. The role encompasses master planning, feasibility modelling, regulatory navigation, and digital transformation of planning workflows. As the key interface between investment vision and development execution, the Head of PPD integrates market intelligence, policy frameworks, and design innovation to produce feasible, profitable, and high-impact project pipelines. This role involves evaluating land potential, crafting project concepts, and leading multi-stakeholder engagements to drive successful approvals and seamless transition into project implementation.

Key Outcomes

• Strategic Master Plans that are commercially viable, operationally feasible, and aligned with national and local policy frameworks.
• Feasibility Models & Approval Strategies that optimize land value, reduce approval timelines, and mitigate planning risks.
• Planning Governance & Digital Tools institutionalized across the PPD function to improve efficiency, transparency, and quality of outputs.
• Cross-Stakeholder Planning Alignment from initial concept through to construction readiness, bridging the gap between design ambition and ground realities.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Development Planning Formulate and evaluate project vision, land use strategy, and conceptual layouts in alignment with investment objectives and urban policy. Synthesize economic, environmental, and engineering data to optimize development phasing, density, and product mix. Set project performance targets (e.g., IRR, GFA efficiency, regulatory KPIs) and guide feasibility iterations accordingly.
• Regulatory Strategy & Government Relations Lead engagement with local and federal authorities to navigate planning, infrastructure, and environmental approvals. Interpret zoning, GDV potential, and planning controls to shape approval strategies that reduce rework and delays. Cultivate relationships with state planning departments, MBs, and other agencies to influence outcomes where possible.
• Multi-Disciplinary Consultant Management Direct the appointment, scoping, and performance of planners, architects, engineers, and external consultants. Evaluate consultant outputs for technical soundness, alignment with project strategy, and submission readiness. Establish best practices for inter-disciplinary coordination and document integration (e.g., BIM, GIS, submission systems).
• Digital Planning & Innovation Institutionalize digital tools (e.g., BIM 360, GIS, Primavera, Power BI) across feasibility, design coordination, and approval tracking. Promote automation in design reviews, layout generation, and performance simulations. Develop internal dashboards to track authority engagement, planning cycles, and compliance risks.
• Team Leadership & Talent Strategy Build and lead a high-performing PPD team with deep capabilities in planning analysis, regulatory knowledge, and cross-functional collaboration. Mentor managers and senior executives to elevate critical thinking, stakeholder management, and innovation mindsets. Drive continuous learning via training, case reviews, and feedback loops.
• Cross-Departmental Integration Align project planning with business units (Investment, Marketing, Project Implementation, Sales) to ensure holistic project viability. Provide planning insights during land acquisition, SPA finalization, and early-stage cost modeling. Resolve trade-offs between marketability, regulatory compliance, constructability, and operational impact.
• Strategic Reporting & Board Engagement Present project planning status, risks, and approval outlooks to senior management and investment committees. Shape planning-related policies, SOPs, and benchmarks across the company. Participate in cross-functional steering committees for strategic projects and policy formulation.

Core Competencies & Technical Expertise

• Strategic & Analytical Thinking Mastery in synthesizing land potential, regulatory trends, and market demands into viable development strategies. Strong ability to evaluate scenarios and recommend optimal development pathways.
• Planning & Regulatory Mastery Deep knowledge of Malaysia’s planning legislation, GDV optimization strategies, and authority approval processes. Experience shaping planning policies and negotiating complex approval conditions.
• Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence Proven ability to lead multi-tiered teams and consultants while balancing commercial, technical, and policy goals. Skilled in navigating conflict, aligning agendas, and shaping stakeholder buy-in.
• Digital Planning & Transformation Advocate for digital planning workflows; fluent in tools such as GIS, BIM, AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, and Power BI. Experience driving digital adoption to reduce planning cycles and improve transparency.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education Background Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, or equivalent.
• Master’s Degree in Urban Design, Business Administration, or Strategic Planning is highly advantageous.
• Professional certifications (e.g., Lembaga Perancang Bandar Malaysia, PMP) are a plus.
• Experience Requirement Minimum 15 years of experience in real estate development, with at least 5 years in a senior strategic planning leadership role. Demonstrated success in leading township and high-rise master planning from land acquisition to regulatory approval. Strong track record in managing multidisciplinary consultant teams and government liaison.
• Experience in driving innovation and digital adoption in the planning domain.

The selection process may take some time as we carefully consider each talent that comes our way. Please note that we will only be in contact with successfully shortlisted candidates for the next phase of the recruitment process within 2-4 weeks. We truly appreciate your interest and always look forward to meeting great people who’d like to work with us! If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us! Our Growth is Creating Great Opportunities! Our team is expanding, and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Continued success depends on it! Once you've had a chance to explore our current open positions, apply to the ones you feel suit you best and keep track of both your progress in the selection process, and new postings that might interest you! Thanks for your interest in working on our team! Join EcoWorld in Creating Tomorrow & Beyond At EcoWorld, we are more than just a property developer; we are creators of thriving, sustainable communities. With over a decade of experience, our commitment to excellence drives us to build exceptional spaces and contribute to a better, greener future. Experience a vibrant and forward-thinking workplace where efficiency and creativity are celebrated. EcoWorld fosters professional growth and offers a challenging yet rewarding environment where you can make a difference. We embrace technology and digital innovation to remain at the forefront of Malaysia’s real estate industry. So, if you’re passionate about sustainability and progress, EcoWorld is the perfect place for you. Join Team EcoWorld and start your journey towards Creating Tomorrow & Beyond.