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Join a Landmark Giga-Project Shaping the Future of Saudi Arabia

Our client is delivering one of the Kingdom s most ambitious and high-profile giga-projects, set to redefine global standards in destination development, innovation, and visitor experience. As part of the integrated Delivery Partner team, you will play a key role in planning, designing, and implementing world-class assets and infrastructure that support the Kingdom s Vision 2030. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a pioneering program at scale, working alongside industry-leading experts, cutting-edge technologies, and diverse stakeholders. If you are driven by challenge, motivated by impact, and eager to be part of a legacy project that will influence generations to come, we invite you to consider joining this transformative journey.

The Senior Director Land Use & Master Plan Governance leads the team responsible for safeguarding, evaluating, and governing the city-wide master plan. This role ensures that all spatial developments, precinct modifications, and asset proposals align with strategic objectives, regulatory frameworks, sustainability targets, and long-term operational excellence. With approximately 25 years of experience, the Senior Director provides authoritative leadership on land use strategy, master plan integrity, and spatial governance across large-scale mixed-use districts, mega-projects, and complex urban environments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Master Plan Governance & Approvals Own and manage the end-to-end governance framework for the city master plan. Evaluate all asset and development proposals for strict compliance with district policies, land use guidelines, and master plan parameters. Govern spatial modifications across all precincts, ensuring alignment with long-term operational, environmental, and community objectives. Approve land use changes based on rigorous operational impact assessments, including access, infrastructure capacity, serviceability, emergency response, and lifecycle costs. Maintain and update land use control documents, zoning schedules, and spatial development guidelines.
2. Strategic Planning & Refinement Direct ongoing updates and refinement of the spatial master plan in collaboration with external consultants and internal stakeholders. Lead detailed spatial, environmental, and socio-economic impact assessments for new developments, major precinct modifications, and strategic initiatives. Optimize land allocation to maximize asset value, commercial viability, and community integration, while protecting critical infrastructure and open space networks. Drive scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to test alternative land use strategies, density distributions, and phasing options. Ensure integration of transport, utilities, sustainability, public realm, and community facilities within the overarching land use strategy.
3. Stakeholder & Regulatory Liaison Partner with internal engineering, commercial, real estate, legal, and operations teams to reconcile land use needs with technical and business requirements. Liaise with government ministries, municipalities, and regulatory authorities to secure permissions, approvals, and statutory endorsements. Negotiate spatial solutions between master developers, anchor tenants, third-party investors, and public entities, balancing commercial priorities with planning obligations. Represent the land use function in high-level governance forums, investment committees, and design review boards.
4. Data, Systems & Analytics Oversee the use of GIS platforms, urban modeling tools, and CAD workflows to maintain an accurate and up-to-date spatial database of the master plan. Ensure robust data governance for land parcels, zoning allocations, floor area ratios, rights-of-way, easements, and development rights. Use analytical tools to monitor land utilization, development progress, and compliance with approved plans and density targets.
5. Team Leadership & Capability Building Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of planners, urban designers, GIS specialists, and land use analysts. Set performance objectives, define governance processes, and ensure consistent application of standards and methodologies. Build internal capability through coaching, training, and knowledge sharing on best practices in land use planning and master plan governance. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the land use and planning function.
6. Risk Management & Compliance Identify and manage risks related to land use, including over or under development, non-compliant proposals, and conflicts with infrastructure or environmental constraints. Establish escalation and exception-handling processes for high-impact land use decisions. Ensure all land use decisions comply with national and local planning regulations, environmental policies, and development control frameworks. Prepare and present risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and governance reports to senior leadership.
7. Innovation & Thought Leadership Stay abreast of international best practice in land use planning, smart city development, mixed-use mega-projects, and resilient urban design. Introduce innovative approaches to density management, transit-oriented development, green and blue networks, and mixed-use integration. Contribute to policy development, design standards, and strategic frameworks that shape the long-term evolution of the city and its districts.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Design, or a closely related discipline.
• Master's degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Approximately 25 years of progressive experience in land use planning, master planning, urban development, or related fields.
• Significant experience leading land use strategy and governance for large-scale master plans, mixed-use districts, or new city developments.
• At least 8-10 years in senior leadership roles, accountable for approvals, governance, and stakeholder management at executive level.
• Demonstrated track record in giga-projects, mega-developments, smart cities, or complex urban regeneration initiatives.
• Proven experience negotiating with government authorities, municipalities, and regulatory bodies on zoning, approvals, and development entitlements.
• Experience working with or overseeing external master planning consultants and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Deep knowledge of spatial zoning laws, development control regulations, and urban planning policy frameworks.
• Strong understanding of land use planning principles, mixed-use integration, density management, infrastructure coordination, and transport-land use interface.
• Proficiency in GIS platforms, urban modeling tools, and CAD workflows used for master planning and spatial analysis.
• Experience with environmental impact assessment, socio-economic impact assessment, and strategic planning methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and influence executive stakeholders and governance boards.
• Strong negotiation skills and stakeholder management capabilities across public, private, and community sectors.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into practical land use frameworks and governance processes.
• Excellent communication skills, including preparation and presentation of complex technical information for non-technical audiences.
• High level of integrity, sound judgement, and resilience in managing competing priorities and high-impact decisions.
• Commitment to sustainability, community-centric planning, and long-term value creation.