Senior Urban Planner

Role Overview

Senior Urban Planner at AtkinsRealis. The role is based in Saudi Arabia, supporting transformational projects aligned with Vision 2030 and involvement in mega projects including NEOM, AlUla, and AMAALA.

Company Overview

AtkinsRealis creates sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to design, deliver and operate complex projects globally. The company covers everything from blueprint to delivery across the entire lifespan of a project. AtkinsRealis is positioned as a leading provider of technical solutions in Saudi Arabia with ambitions to grow further.

Role Purpose

Lead urban planning and public realm projects with complete design and delivery ownership. Take strategic responsibility for multi-disciplinary urban development initiatives, manage stakeholder relationships, ensure compliance with regional design standards, and expand the landscape and urban design business across different regions.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Ownership

• Lead projects with complete design and delivery ownership reporting to Practice Lead.
• Take ownership and lead urban planning and public realm projects and work packages.
• Own strategic thinking to expand the landscape and urban design business across different regions and develop business within the practice.

Design & Technical Delivery

• Design manage multi-disciplinary urban development projects in the wider context of key business sectors.
• Draft technical reports and contractual documents of acceptable technical and presentation quality with minimum guidance.
• Ensure the team is aware of the design standards, codes and compliances of countries within the Middle East region and that the same are complied to in the Design as applicable to each country within the MENA region.
• Review work of project teams within LUDP and ensure the quality of deliverables meet the Atkins standards of delivery and client expectations.
• Cross-over through design thinking between the three disciplines of the practice on large scale projects.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with key clients and technical and non-technical stakeholders for positive project outcomes.
• Identify and communicate concerns of the project and team to immediate Line Manager.

Program & Resource Management

• Work to a program for the project and proactively advise Senior leadership of any issue which affects the efficient completion of the project.
• Be aware of the effect of delivery time on financial performance and proactively manage time, resources and budget on a project.
• Delegate and manage work to assigned project team Landscape Architects, urban designers and multidisciplinary proficiencies and obtain the necessary outcome for the projects as per contractual obligations of the project.

Business Development

• Contribute to bids and proposals to win work.
• Identify and follow through on leads and suggestions associated with additional work prospects on the projects involved with.

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor and help subordinates and peers to achieve career progression.
• Demonstrate initiative and basic leadership skills to give directions to interdisciplinary work groups.
• Use business related software independently with ability to guide work of junior team members.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 12 years of good experience delivering Urban Planning and Public Realm projects in the public or private realm.
• Master's Degree in Urban Planning from universities of international repute.
• Familiar with design, tender and construction processes.
• International experience specific to Middle East and beyond is an added advantage.
• CMLI and ASLA qualified professionals have an added advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficient in AutoCAD, REVIT, Adobe CS5, MS Office, SketchUp and Google Pro.
• Advanced experience of BIM related software in Landscape Design and Infrastructure works is an added advantage.
• Proficient in design, project management and efficiency matrices.
• Conversant with evolving standards of the profession primarily with respect to collaborative and multi-disciplinary design.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
• Capable of working on own initiative or as part of a larger multidisciplinary team.
• Logical and organized approach to project delivery with ability to follow instructions and guidance by senior team members.
• Able to discuss career goals and aspirations.
• Willingness to share information and knowledge with team members.
• Experience of working in virtual teams is a plus.

Additional Information

• Employee type: Regular Employee.
• Travel required at times to different Atkins offices and sites globally to interface with teams based there.
• Competitive salary.
• Transportation allowance.
• Medical and life insurance cover.
• 22 calendar days annual leave.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Annual flight allowance to point of origin.
• Employee Assistance Programme providing 24-hour free advice on financial, legal and family care specialists and access to personal health, fitness and nutrition consultants.