Let’s find your next opportunity​

{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{item.trim() }} {{item.trim() }} {{item.trim() }}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}

{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}

saved
viewed

Technical Director - Urban Planning

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Overview

AtkinsRéalis are seeking a Technical Director for the Strategic Planning department in Riyadh to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the Kingdom's spatial and infrastructural future. This position is responsible for setting the strategic vision and technical direction of planning and urban development initiatives, ensuring they align with Riyadh's'and Saudi Arabia's long-term growth objectives and the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The director will oversee projects of major importance and very high profile which integrate land use planning, transportation systems, environmental sustainability, and smart city technologies into cohesive, forward-thinking urban frameworks. Due to the high profile of projects, we are seeking individuals with more than 15+ years of experience and extraordinary presentation skills.

Your role

  • Lead the technical direction and strategic planning of very high-profile urban development projects across Riyadh and KSA.
  • Manage multidisciplinary teams including planners, architects, engineers, and GIS specialists.
  • Oversee the design, review, and approval of regional and local plans, metropolitan land, zoning regulations, and land use strategies.
  • Collaborate with government agencies, private developers, and international consultants to ensure alignment with national and regional planning frameworks.
  • Ensure compliance with local regulations, environmental standards, and international best practices.
  • Provide expert guidance on infrastructure integration, mobility planning, smart city technologies, and public realm enhancements.
  • Represent the department in public forums, stakeholder meetings, and policy discussions.
  • As a senior leader, the Technical Director will manage multidisciplinary teams and coordinate with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international consultants. They will be instrumental in guiding the preparation and implementation of local and regional plans, strategy plans, city plans and visions, structure plans, zoning regulations, and guidelines.
  • The role demands a deep understanding of urban dynamics, regulatory environments, and the socio-economic factors influencing urbanization in the Gulf region, particularly within the context of rapid development and modernization.
  • Beyond technical oversight, the Director will serve as a key advisor and public representative of the Strategic Planning department. They will champion innovation, advocate for sustainable and inclusive urban policies, and ensure that all planning efforts are grounded in data-driven analysis and global best practices. This role requires a balance of visionary thinking, operational excellence, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes to deliver transformative urban outcomes.
  • You will be part of our tight-knit strategic planning team which covers the MENA region and beyond.
  • We work in very close collaboration with other departments and sectors and pride ourselves on the inclusive and collaborative environment.
Cities & development Architecture & Planning

Location

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Type

Full time

Ref

R-142783

Salary range

-

About you

  • Master's degree in Regional and Urban Planning.
  • Minimum 15 years of experience in urban planning, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
  • Proven track record of managing large-scale urban and regional development projects.
  • Strong understanding of Saudi Vision 2030 and its implications for urban growth.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Fluency in English required; Arabic proficiency is a plus.
Why choose AtkinsRéalis?

Why choose AtkinsRéalis?

Wherever you are in your career – and whoever you are – AtkinsRéalis is for you. Here, support and collaboration are a vibrant part of a culture that lets you choose where – and how far – your career can go. Take on projects that push boundaries and drive sustainable impact, surrounded by colleagues who believe there's no limit to how brilliant you can be. It's time to join a like-minded team where you'll be rewarded, supported, and free to be your kind of brilliant.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

This includes:

  • Tax-free salary.
  • Comprehensive life insurance coverage.
  • Premium medical insurance for you and your dependents.
  • Generous annual leave balance.
  • Flexible and hybrid work solutions.
  • Remote work opportunities outside of country.
  • Company gratuity scheme.
  • Discretionary bonus program.
  • Annual flight contribution.
  • Relocation assistance.
  • Transportation & housing allowances (available for remote work locations).
  • Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

video thumbnail

Make it brilliant, a career with AtkinsRéalis

Our supportive, collaborative culture inspires us as a global community every day.

Watch this short film and imagine what you could achieve here, too.

About AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Related jobs

Senior Quantity Surveyor
Project, programme & cost management Full time
Senior Quantity Surveyor

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Proposal Manager
Corporate Business Development Full time
Proposal Manager

Various locations

Senior Structural Engineer - Water Infrastructure
Water Engineering Full time
Senior Structural Engineer - Water Infrastructure

Various locations

Chief Process Mechanical Engineer
Engineering Full time
Chief Process Mechanical Engineer

Various locations

Surveyor
Transportation Engineering Full time
Surveyor

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Safeguards and Security Specialist Energy
Nuclear Full time
Safeguards and Security Specialist Energy

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America

Director, Operationnal Excellence and Market Development, Mechanical, Canada
Cities & development Engineering Full time
Director, Operationnal Excellence and Market Development, Mechanical, Canada

Various locations

Agent(e), Centre d'appels
Operations, Maintenance & Building Services Full time
Agent(e), Centre d'appels

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Surveillant(e) civil
Clean power Construction Full time
Surveillant(e) civil

Jonquière, Quebec, Canada

GTA Mechanic Supervisor
Cities & development Construction Full time
GTA Mechanic Supervisor

Jonquière, Quebec, Canada

Senior Equipment Integration Specialist, defence sector– National
Security, aerospace & defence Engineering Full time
Senior Equipment Integration Specialist, defence sector– National

Various locations

Mechanical & Electrical Lead - Central Canada
Engineering Full time
Mechanical & Electrical Lead - Central Canada

Various locations

Related blogs

Man in a navy blazer and white shirt posing for a professional portrait.

Shaping the future of mobility: My career as a project manager

From aeronautics to a leading role on Québec’s REM project: How Réjean Perreault found purpose as a civil engineer and project manager at AtkinsRéalis.

Card link for Shaping the future of mobility: My career as a project manager
Headshot image of Josée

Behind the scenes at the symphony: My career as a director of operations at Montréal’s leading concert hall

Discover Josée’s career journey from Scenic services manager to Director of Operations at the Maison symphonique de Montréal, where she ensures everything runs in perfect harmony.

Card link for Behind the scenes at the symphony: My career as a director of operations at Montréal’s leading concert hall
Accessibility that empowers: Giridhar’s story at AtkinsRéalis

Greatly and Brightly: Thriving as a woman in engineering

Irene Seo, P.Eng shares her woman in engineering career journey from an early role in civil engineering to a director role with global influence.

Card link for Greatly and Brightly: Thriving as a woman in engineering
Accessibility that empowers: Giridhar’s story at AtkinsRéalis

Building roads and a career: My Journey as a Woman in Civil Engineering

From supervising to leading highway operations: Catherine’s career journey speaks of teamwork, growth, and the value of women in civil engineering.

Card link for Building roads and a career: My Journey as a Woman in Civil Engineering
a man standing on a beach.

Mechanical engineering jobs in nuclear: What it's like starting out.

Here's how I turned two summer placements into a full‑time career in mechanical engineering in nuclear.

Card link for Mechanical engineering jobs in nuclear: What it's like starting out.
Picture of Chinmay sitting on a chair

My early career in the heart of the nuclear renaissance: Chinmay’s journey at AtkinsRéalis

From campus to clean energy innovation — Chinmay’s story captures what it means to start your career at AtkinsRéalis. As a young engineer, he’s helping shape the future of nuclear technology through curiosity, collaboration, and purpose-driven work.

Card link for My early career in the heart of the nuclear renaissance: Chinmay’s journey at AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis carbon training is shaping careers in sustainable engineering

How global carbon training boosts my sustainable leadership at AtkinsRéalis

I joined carbon training for the skills – and left with a whole new perspective on leading across borders.

Card link for How global carbon training boosts my sustainable leadership at AtkinsRéalis
Padraic

Bringing my carbon tool to life with expert global colleagues

Discover how carbon training at AtkinsRéalis helped me grow my expertise and helped create a carbon quantification tool now used across transportation projects.

Card link for Bringing my carbon tool to life with expert global colleagues
Tony

Why Ireland Is the Place to Build Your Engineering Career

Are you ready? How leaders can break past the ceiling, take on bigger roles, and deliver Ireland's most ambitious programmes.

Card link for Why Ireland Is the Place to Build Your Engineering Career
Tackling the carbon challenge: My part in sustainabillity at AtkinsRéalis

Tackling the carbon challenge: My part in sustainabillity at AtkinsRéalis

Imagine leading change, building carbon solutions with our global AtkinsRéalis team.

Card link for Tackling the carbon challenge: My part in sustainabillity at AtkinsRéalis
Careers in Defence: Project Management, Cybersecurity and More

Building a brilliant career in defence

Breaking barriers and building a rewarding career in defence – here's how I did it.

Card link for Building a brilliant career in defence
Kevin

Engineering jobs in Ireland: Build your legacy on major projects

Join AtkinsRéalis Ireland to work on Metrolink, Dublin Airport, Water Supply Project and more. Explore engineering jobs, leadership opportunities, and career growth.

Card link for Engineering jobs in Ireland: Build your legacy on major projects