Technical Director Masterplanning, Urban Planning & Strategic Planning

Role Overview A leading multidisciplinary consultancy is seeking a highly experienced Technical Director to lead its Masterplanning, Urban Planning, and Strategic Planning team in Riyadh.

This is a senior leadership role that combines deep technical expertise with strong managerial capability, requiring an individual who can operate confidently at both strategic and design levels.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping large-scale regional and national planning initiatives, including multi-city development frameworks and long-term strategic spatial planning programmes in collaboration with government authorities and major stakeholders.

This is not a purely managerial position; the Technical Director is expected to remain actively engaged in design leadership, technical direction, and planning innovation, while also providing mentorship and driving team performance.

Technical Leadership & Design Direction Lead the technical delivery of complex masterplanning, urban planning, and strategic planning projects.

Provide high-level design and planning direction on large-scale developments including regional plans, urban expansion strategies, and national spatial frameworks.

Ensure design excellence, innovation, and compliance with international best practice and local planning regulations.

Actively contribute to key design decisions and review outputs across multiple projects.

Strategic & Large-Scale Planning Lead and oversee planning strategies for regional development programmes and multi-city planning initiatives.

Engage with national and regional authorities on long-term spatial planning policies and frameworks.

Translate government visions and development goals into actionable planning strategies.

Support the consultancy s involvement in giga-projects and national transformation programmes.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement Act as a senior representative of the consultancy in engagements with clients, government bodies, developers, and subconsultants.

Lead high-level presentations, workshops, and design review sessions with key stakeholders.

Manage relationships across complex stakeholder environments, ensuring alignment between technical outputs and client expectations.

Provide authoritative input during negotiations and strategic discussions.

Team Leadership & Mentorship Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary planning team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.

Support career development of senior planners and emerging talent within the studio.

Establish clear technical standards, methodologies, and quality benchmarks across projects.

Drive knowledge sharing and best practice across the regional and global network.

Business & Practice Development Contribute to business development activities, including proposals, bids, and client interviews.

Identify opportunities for expanding planning services within the region.

Support the growth and positioning of the consultancy in the Saudi and wider GCC market.