Senior Vice President – Master Planning

Role Overview

Senior Vice President – Master Planning at Aldar Properties. The role oversees master planning activities across government and Aldar Development projects from pre-concept through detailed masterplan delivery.

Role Purpose

Manage all master planning activities, consultant relationships, stakeholder approvals, and design evolution from initial concept through detailed masterplan for both government and Aldar Development projects, ensuring compliance with quality, budget, and timeline standards.

Key Responsibilities

Master Plan Review & Advisory

• Review master plan and detailed master plan submittals from internal teams and consultants.
• Provide support, review, and advisory services on master planning matters to Project Management during the construction stage.
• Periodically update any changes to master plan design, timeline, and cost to Development Management and other Operations teams via Monthly Progress Reports (MPR).

Consultant Management

• Manage the selection and work of master planning consultants.
• Ensure quality, budget, and time compliance of consultant work in accordance with service contracts.
• Evaluate and select proposals from master planning consultants with focus on quality assurance, budget, and time compliance in accordance with service contracts and Aldar standards, including Estimada and UPC AD 2030 vision.
• Manage service contracts including preparing RFPs and processing payments and variations.

Design & Cost Optimization

• Identify deviations to original master planning and adopt master plan design, timeline, and cost accordingly in collaboration with Development Management.
• Assess impact of all changes on delivery activities and minimize financial and operational impact.
• Identify possible value engineering ideas to cut costs and time, providing recommendations to project teams.

Stakeholder & Government Management

• Manage master planning approval requirements with external stakeholders and government entities during design phases for government projects.
• Ensure the issuance of all required government permits and construction licenses.
• Ensure key procurement contract variations arising from differences in project design and raising major issues are addressed in relation to applicable policies.

Reporting & Communication

• Ensure provision of constant progress updates and monthly written reports on construction progress, major issues or conflicts, and anticipated roadblocks when appropriate.
• Provide regular reporting on construction progress including issues and mitigation strategies.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 12+ years of experience in real estate architecture or design of residential, mixed use, and vertical assets.
• Minimum 4+ years in a managerial position.
• Real estate developer background in the GCC region required.
• Bachelor degree in engineering, architecture, or equivalent required.
• Technical post-graduate degree preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep exposure to GCC region and adjacent markets preferred.
• Excellent design and masterplanning capabilities.
• Excellent leadership skills with ability to delegate and coordinate responsibilities.
• Strong conflict resolution and management skills.
• Strong team player with ability to balance conflicting priorities and take timely decisions.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, required to present master plans to senior leaders for approval.
• Experienced in working with and leading multi-disciplinary teams including members from Business Planning, Master Planning, Design, Project Management, Procurement, and Commercial functions.