Strategic Urban Planner

Atkins Realis Group

AtkinsR alis are seeking a visionary Senior Strategic Urban Planner with a strong foundation in urban design, exceptional visual storytelling skills, and a strategic mindset to shape the future of cities, regions and countries. This role blends analytical planning with creative communication, helping translate complex spatial strategies into compelling narratives that inspire clients, stakeholders and communities alike.

This role requires extensive appreciation of the collaboration and integration required for all disciplines involved in strategic plan making; understanding the inputs and interrelationship of urban planning with transport, infrastructure, utilities, landscape, cultural heritage, sustainability, community consultation, stakeholder engagement etc., to coordinate and deliver as a unified strategy.

You will be part of our tight-knit strategic planning team which covers the MENA region and beyond. We work in very close collaboration with other departments and sectors and pride ourselves on the inclusive and collaborative environment.

Our current projects include city plans, framework plans, regional plans and design guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop strategic spatial plans including regional, sub-regional and city-scale plans, large scale master plans, framework plans, local area plans which support strategic policy to guide long-term urban development.

• Visualise urban concepts using diagrams, maps, and infographics to communicate ideas clearly and influentially.

• Craft compelling narratives that articulate the vision, rationale, and impact of planning proposals and strategic direction to diverse audiences from clients, stakeholders, authorities, as well as the public.

• Lead multidisciplinary planning teams in the creation of integrated urban solutions across scales (regional, city-wide, district, local) and disciplines (transport, infrastructure, environment, cultural heritage, sustainability etc.).

• Engage stakeholders through workshops, presentations, and participatory design processes to ensure inclusive and responsive planning that feeds into strategic level planning and development.

• Analyse urban trends and data using GIS and other planning tools to inform strategic decision-making.

• Advocate for design excellence and innovation in all aspects of urban transformation.

Requirements:

• A post graduate qualification in urban design, urban planning or related field and preferably with a professional affiliation (or eligible for membership).

• Candidates will ideally have a minimum of 8 years relevant working experience in strategic urban and regional planning.

• Lead the production of high-quality urban and regional planning, submissions in the UAE, KSA and the wider Middle East and Africa.

• Strong design and graphics capabilities and ability to communicate ideas via various visual and graphic media including hand and computer graphics.

• Lead in the preparation of technical bids and fee proposals for strategic planning and master planning projects and other major projects where appropriate.

• Fully conversant with Adobe Creative Suite with demonstrable graphics and visualisation skills.

• Competence in PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel and AutoCAD.

• GIS competence is preferred.

• Experience in working with a multidisciplinary team.

• Strong design management, report production and coordination skills.

• An understanding of sustainability issues within the urban and public realm (LEED or similar experience and advantage).

• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.

• Capable of working on own initiative or as part of a larger multidisciplinary team.

• Have a logical and organised approach to project delivery of project outputs.

• Will be required to travel within the Middle East region to projects in a variety of geographical locations, including Saudi Arabia.

• Developing and maintaining relationships with clients, attending meetings, workshops and seminars.

• Other duties associated with the main role and responsibilities will be requested from time to time.