Associate -Design Master Planning

The Associate, Design Master Planning plays a significant role in overseeing master planning projects' strategic design management. They are responsible for translating the company's vision into comprehensive master plans while ensuring adherence to approved development briefs. Beyond their strategic functions, the Associate, Master Planning mentors the master planning team and is instrumental in driving innovation, upholding the standard of excellence.

General Description of Role and Responsibilities:

• Internal team liaison to ensure coordination between all disciplines relevant to master planning (feasibility, architecture, infrastructure, and delivery)
• Development of land use datasets with design understanding of various land use products, all type of traffic network and circulation, types of open spaces and current real estate development trends and products updates.
• Review master plan deliverables during all master plan stages and familiar with DMT (Abu Dhabi Department of Municipality and Transportation) planning requirement (Vision, PCMP, Framework, CMP, and DMP, etc.)
• Ensure compliance with DMT and relevant stakeholders requirements.
• Coordinate with external consultants to:
• Review the analysis of land use projects to determine the split between various sectors such as residential commercial industrial and community use and recommend changes.
• Review master plan deliverables during all master plan stages and be familiar with DMT planning requirement; review drawing submittals to ensure they align with approved project briefs.
• Provide regular design guidance.
• Translate strategic design intents into actionable project-level goals.
• Engage with senior leadership to align project deliverables and organizational objectives.
• Lead master planning design management endeavors, ensuring timely and quality-focused delivery.
• Provide critical support in the form of strategic guidance & problem-solving for high-importance projects to align with the company's objectives.
• Lead master planning projects, ensuring quality and innovation.
• Organize and lead regular consultant and design team meetings to address challenges and collaborate on solutions.
• Present developed master plans to Hill Senior Management as necessary.
• Present design strategies, proposals, and updates to executive leadership.
• Work closely with the Project Management/Delivery Teams, ensuring project approvals.
• Monitor ongoing projects for design continuity and alignment with leadership direction.
• Review consultant documentation to ensure alignment with approved briefs and company standards.
• Develop RFPs, design briefs, and scopes of work for master plan projects.
• Promote a culture of innovation and excellence within the design team.
• Support the wider design team, fostering innovation and growth.
• Ensure designs align with sustainability and environmental goals.
• Stay updated with global design trends, suggesting integrations to enhance company standards.
• Foster teamwork, emphasizing collaboration, respect, and open communication.
• Build and nurture stakeholder relationships, highlighting design's role in business objectives.
• Promote clear communication across departments to manage project expectations.
• Provide specialized insights to the design team and other departments.
• Coordinate, prepare, and deliver design progress presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide continuous feedback to refine the company's design processes.
• Attend senior management meetings, preparing materials and participating in discussions.
• Collaborate with the Contracts and Delivery teams during consultant procurement and onboarding.

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• A Masters or Bachelors degree in Master Planning, Urban Design Architecture, Urban Planning, or related fields.
• Advanced degrees in Urban Design or Landscape Architecture will be an added advantage.
• 6-8 years experience in real estate design & development, including leadership roles in managing teams and projects.
• Minimum 3+ years experience in the Middle East, especially in the UAE/ GCC Region.
• A diverse design portfolio showcasing multiple projects.
• Ability to manage multiple project timelines simultaneously and meticulously.
• Understanding land use and products with non-revenue versus revenue generation potential.
• Proficiency in relevant design software and tools, including MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, and 3D modeling (SketchUp or Revit).
• Knowledge an awareness of current design trends and technologies.
• Strong presentation, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
• Capacity to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong commitment to maintaining industry standards and regulations.
• Willingness to adapt to new technologies and tools in the design process.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in Arabic is beneficial.
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken English (Arabic preferred).

• Extensive knowledge of master planning design from visioning, idea generation to concept and detailed master planning stages.
• Proven experience working with and leading multi-disciplinary teams that include members from Business Planning, Master Planning Design, Project Management, Procurement and Commercial functions.
• Strong leadership skills with a history of driving team success through mentorship, inspiration, and the promotion of a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Proven ability to effectively lead and oversee project teams, demonstrating a collaborative approach that encourages the sharing of knowledge and expertise within the team.
• Demonstrated proficiency in preparing and delivering impactful presentations to senior executives and stakeholders, effectively communicating project objectives, milestones, and value propositions.
• Proficiency in Urban Design and Master Planning best practices and latest trends.
• Proficiency with master planning and urban design vision-level design thinking, communication, and sketching (hand sketch, digital sketch and CAD).
• Proficiency preparing master plan and urban design diagrams (Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator etc.).
• Skilled at synthesizing and presenting complex design and project data in a clear and compelling manner to facilitate informed decision-making by senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, emphasizing collaboration, consensus-building, and the ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Exemplary project, time, and design management skills.
• Strategic, innovative, and lateral thinking, showcasing original problem-solving capabilities and analytical skills.