Head of Department Master Planning

About This Role

Role Purpose

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 & Department Management

• Lead and expand the Master Planning department aligned with business growth strategy.
• Establish operational frameworks, design standards, and best practices across projects.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, delivery, and innovation.
• Manage resource planning, utilization, and hiring strategies across global offices.
• Lead concept to detailed design delivery for large mixed-use, residential, commercial, and giga projects
• Establish Master Planning design standards, governance frameworks, and review protocols
• Manage client engagement at senior level, including presentations and design approvals.
• Coordinate with MEP, Infrastructure, and Master planning teams for integrated design delivery
• Oversee design quality, authority approvals, and compliance with international standards
• Drive BIM-led design using Autodesk Revit and coordination tools
• Build and lead a multicultural Master Planning team across multiple locations

2. Technical Excellence & Design Oversight

• Provide technical leadership across all stages of design (concept to IFC).
• Ensure compliance with international standards.
• Review and approve complex design solutions ensuring quality, efficiency, and innovation.
• Drive adoption of digital tools such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, and advanced BIM workflows.

3. Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as primary technical point of contact for key clients and stakeholders.
• Lead high-level meetings, presentations, and design reviews.
• Build long-term relationships with international clients and partners.
• Manage client expectations, variations, and conflict resolution under pressure.

4. Project Delivery & Commercial Management

• Oversee multiple large-scale projects ensuring delivery within time, cost, and quality targets.
• Monitor project KPIs, risks, and performance metrics.
• Support commercial teams in proposals, bid strategies, and technical submissions.
• Ensure profitability and efficient resource allocation.

5. Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team across regions.
• Drive performance management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Foster collaboration across Architecture, MEP, and Infrastructure teams.
• Manage teams in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments.

6. Innovation & Digital Transformation

• Champion BIM, digital engineering, and automation strategies.
• Introduce global best practices and innovative design solutions.
• 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.