Senior Urban Planner

Khatib & Alami International; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Khatib & Alami International in Riyadh is seeking a Senior Urban Planner to lead medium-complexity urban planning projects, develop strategies and master plans, and prepare planning reports and maps with a multidisciplinary team.

You will support the Project Manager in stakeholder management, liaise with local authorities, and contribute to design reviews, client presentations, and tender activities. A strong background in urban planning and English proficiency is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Urban Planning or Landscape Architecture.
• Master’s Degree in Urban Planning is preferred.
• Knowledge of all urban planning principles.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; Arabic and/ or French is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with local clients through ongoing projects and support Resident Manager in generating business leads.
• Support technically in business development of clients.
• Support Project Managers with the management of client relations and expectations, as needed.
• Support Project Managers in client presentations and workshops, as needed.
• Support Project Managers with responding to client clarifications and technical issues, as needed.
• Ensure client satisfaction with urban planning deliverables.
• Coordinate with local authorities and government organizations for approvals of design deliverables and permits.
• Assist in design reviews and provide comments to clients in coordination with Design Sections.
• Coordinate with local clients on design deliverables and comments with Design Project Managers.
• Relay client comments to design teams and track resolution of issues.
• Provide support in developing limited parts of design deliverables upon request.
• Support clients and design teams with project award activities during tendering.
• Assist in quality control measures by City & Regional Planning Unit.
• Provide support in developing manpower plan for the City & Regional Planning Unit.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

English proficiency

Problem solving

Urban planning knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture/Urban Planning/Landscape

Master’s in Urban Planning preferred

Job description

The Senior Urban Planner works closely with a multi-disciplinary team on urban planning projects of medium complexity to analyze, investigate, develop and propose urban planning strategies and master plans, considering natural, social, economic and built environment characteristics, as well as the specific cultural, political, institutional and administrative contexts of the respective urban planning projects. He develops urban planning reports and thematic maps in coordination with urban planning team members. The jobholder supports the Project Manager in stakeholders’ management, local authorities follow up and site surveys administration.

• Ensure responsibilities are fulfilled with a high quality cost-effectively

Key Responsibilities (Customer Focus)

• Develop relationships with local clients through ongoing projects and support Resident Manager in generating business leads
• Support technically in business development of clients
• Support Project Managers with the management of client relations and expectations, as needed
• Support Project Managers in client presentations and workshops, as needed
• Support Project Managers with responding to client clarifications and technical issues, as needed
• Ensure client satisfaction with urban planning deliverables

Key Responsibilities (Internal Business Process)

• Support design Project Managers with client management, contract management and risk management, as needed
• Coordinate with local authorities and government organizations for approvals of design deliverables, construction permits etc.
• Assist in carrying out design review for non-K&A designs and provide comments to clients in coordination with Design Sections
• Coordinate with local clients on design deliverables and comments in coordination with Design Project Managers, as needed
• Relay client comment on design deliverables to design Project Managers and design teams and track resolution and addressing of comments and issues
• Provide support in developing limited and basic parts of design deliverables upon request of design Project Managers in design offices
• Provide support to clients and design project teams with project award activities during the tendering phase if required
• Assist in the implementation of quality control measures by the City & Regional Planning Unit
• Provide support in developing manpower plan for the City & Regional Planning Unit

Key Responsibilities (Learning & Growth)

• Upload design deliverables into K&A’s knowledge repository, as needed
• Attend periodic training to further develop relevant skills

Qualification, Technical Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Urban Planning or Landscape Architecture
• Master’s Degree in Urban Planning is preferred
• Knowledge of all urban planning principles
• Good analytical and problem solving skills
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; Arabic and/ or French is an advantage

Overall Experience Required to Execute this Role

• 5+ years of industry experience in urban planning

Specific Experience Required to Execute this Role

• 5+ years of experience in urban planning in a top tier regional / multinational engineering consultancy firm, specifically in an urban planning role
• Strong experience and track record with a variety of projects in urban planning
• Exposure to global best practices and trends in urban planning
• Significant industry experience within the Middle East