Design Director - Master Planning - Parsons

Job Description:

OVERVIEW:

Director level Urban Planner / master planner requires the depth of professional experience for an advanced understanding of all elements of City/Urban and site master planning and design. In addition to general competency in Urban Planning and Design candidates should possess a comprehensive interdisciplinary perspective as well as a diverse knowledge of planning and design principles and best practices. This includes but is not limited to expertise in creating and evaluating land uses real estate developments regulations standards and guidelines proposed plans for the utilization of land and infrastructure in support of planning design and development projects including urban mixeduse development new master planned communities and complex planning initiatives related to real estate development.

This role will evaluate and oversee studies for planning design and development projects support internal coordination and external outreach efforts manage a team and represent the client on technical and advisory groups. The Director Urban Planner/Master planner is responsible for assignments that are highly complex and sensitive in nature where substantial judgment and initiative are essential in making recommendations and resolving problems relative to planning design and development.

MAIN TASKS:

• Provide general planning and design assistance to leadership including input review evaluation advice and comment on planning design and development initiatives studies and reports.
• Support the management and direction of internal/external multidisciplinary teams including the development and evaluation of requests for proposals including scope deliverables and performance measures.
• Provide recommendations in support of the procurement of consultant services and proposing suitable consultant teams for competitions and projects
• Review and report on project program progress and deliverables.
• Manage consultant and internal master planning and design team activities.
• Lead coordinate and review the work of less experienced planners and/or technical support personnel assigned to the project.
• Supervision training and mentoring of junior planners and other team members
• Serve as a liaison between clients and agencies subcontractors and design teams.
• Maintain relationships with peers from Kingdomwide and regional authorities including ministries agencies public utilities and their officials;
• Confer with local authorities civic leaders social scientists and land planning and development specialists to devise and recommend strategies for land use and physical facilities for residential commercial industrial and community uses.
• Interact and coordinate with government agencies
• Demonstrate familiarity with relevant emerging KSA policies and standards.
• Conduct and/or actively participate in Planning Design and Development Workshops
• Develop and implement plans for public outreach and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist in the preparation of presentations and official correspondence intended for senior management boards government partners and other external bodies as required
• Compiles and analyzes data on financial social and physical factors affecting land use and prepares or requisitions graphic and narrative reports on data
• Providing comments on planning reports for major projects including phasing management and constructability studies at a range of scales
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Experience:

• Leadership skills and experience working across disciplines and with interdisciplinary teams on quality projects.
• Proven experience and track record in urban and site city planning and commercial mixeduse development projects
• Proven delivery of complex quality master and urban planning projects.
• Proven experience of leading and managing a team of designers.
• Experienced with largescale programs is preferable; experience in Saudi Arabia GCC or MENA region (preferred).
• Excellent writing oral presentation and graphic communication skills
• English language skills essential

Qualifications:

• Master of Science in Planning Architecture or Business program and a degree in Architect or Civil Engineer (preferred).
• Certification License or Registration is essential
• Minimum of 20 years of professional experience with significant experience in complex projects the Middle East and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: