Head of Department Master Planning

DAR AL RIYADH; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

DAR AL RIYADH is seeking a visionary Head of Department Master Planning to lead a high-performance design function delivering large-scale projects. You will drive strategic leadership, BIM-enabled design, and governance across global offices, ensuring client satisfaction and exceptional design quality.

Lead multi-disciplinary teams from concept through IFC, manage high-stakes client engagements, and advance digital workflows while nurturing a multicultural team in fast-paced environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in an engineering or design-related discipline.
• 18–25+ years of engineering consultancy/design experience.
• Experience managing multinational or global design offices.
• Proven exposure to mega/giga projects (mixed-use, infrastructure, urban development).
• Experience with international clients (Middle East, Europe, Asia).
• Professional certifications (preferred): PMP, Institutions for Master Planning/Engineering & Technology.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership and expansion of the Master Planning department.
• Lead design delivery from concept to IFC for large-scale projects.
• Coordinate with MEP, Infrastructure and Master Planning teams for integrated delivery.
• Manage client engagements at senior levels and lead reviews.
• Drive BIM-led design using Revit/Navisworks and advanced workflows.
• Build and mentor a multinational Master Planning team across locations.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Multicultural team management

Client-facing

Commercial acumen

Decision-making under pressure

Education

Bachelor's/Master's degree in relevant discipline

Tools

Autodesk Revit

Navisworks

BIM workflows

Job description

The Head of Department HOD Master Planning is responsible for leading and scaling a high-performing design function delivering complex large-scale projects The role combines technical excellence commercial awareness and leadership capability to manage multidisciplinary teams client expectations and fast-paced project environments

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership amp Department Management
   1. Lead and expand the Master Planning department aligned with business growth strategy
   2. Establish operational frameworks design standards and best practices across projects
   3. Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability delivery and innovation
   4. Manage resource planning utilization and hiring strategies across global offices
   5. Lead concept to detailed design delivery for large mixed-use residential commercial and giga projects
   6. Establish Master Planning design standards governance frameworks and review protocols
   7. Manage client engagement at senior level including presentations and design approvals
   8. Coordinate with MEP Infrastructure and Master planning teams for integrated design delivery
   9. Oversee design quality authority approvals and compliance with international standards
   10. Drive BIM-led design using Autodesk Revit and coordination tools
   11. Build and lead a multicultural Master Planning team across multiple locations
2. Technical Excellence amp Design Oversight
   1. Provide technical leadership across all stages of design concept to IFC
   2. Ensure compliance with international standards
   3. Review and approve complex design solutions ensuring quality efficiency and innovation
   4. Drive adoption of digital tools such as Autodesk Revit Navisworks and advanced BIM workflows
3. Client amp Stakeholder Management
   1. Act as primary technical point of contact for key clients and stakeholders
   2. Lead high-level meetings presentations and design reviews
   3. Build long-term relationships with international clients and partners
   4. Manage client expectations variations and conflict resolution under pressure
4. Project Delivery amp Commercial Management
   1. Oversee multiple large-scale projects ensuring delivery within time cost and quality targets
   2. Monitor project KPIs risks and performance metrics
   3. Support commercial teams in proposals bid strategies and technical submissions
   4. Ensure profitability and efficient resource allocation
5. Team Leadership amp Capability Building
   1. Lead mentor and develop a multidisciplinary team across regions
   2. Drive performance management succession planning and leadership development
   3. Foster collaboration across Architecture MEP and Infrastructure teams
   4. Manage teams in high-pressure deadline-driven environments
6. Innovation amp Digital Transformation
   1. Champion BIM digital engineering and automation strategies
   2. Introduce global best practices and innovative design solutions
   3. Support sustainability and ESG initiatives across projects

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor s / Master s degree in relevant discipline.
• 18 25+ years of experience in engineering consultancy/design firms.
• Proven experience managing multinational or global design offices.
• Strong exposure to mega/giga projects (mixed-use, infrastructure, urban development).
• Experience working with international clients (Middle East, Europe, Asia).
• Professional certifications (preferred): Project Management Institute (PMP) Institution of Master Planning Engineers / Institution of Engineering and Technology

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making under pressure.
• Client-facing and stakeholder management excellence.
• Commercial and business acumen.
• Multicultural team management.
• Strategic thinking and execution.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation.