Associate Director – Urban Strategies

About the role

BuroHappold is seeking an Associate Director for its Urban Strategies team in Riyadh. The role focuses on shaping sustainable, equitable cities across the Middle East through strategic planning and multidisciplinary project delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and grow the planning team, including line‑management, mentoring and capability development of junior staff.
• Manage and deliver multidisciplinary projects, coordinating inputs from transport, infrastructure, environment, sustainability, architecture and landscape architecture.
• Act as technical lead on spatial, regional and master‑planning initiatives, ensuring high‑quality outputs and client satisfaction.
• Develop governance and implementation frameworks, and support plan and policy making for urban development.

Required profile

• Proven track record in consultancy‑based strategic urban planning, development or master‑planning.
• Strong project management experience and ability to work in client‑facing roles.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience managing multidisciplinary teams.

Required skills

• Multidisciplinary project delivery
• Project management
• Strategic urban planning
• Spatial and regional planning
• Development
• Master planning
• Governance and implementation frameworks
• Plan and policy making
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Excel

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on high‑profile, impactful projects in a globally recognised consultancy.
• Inclusive and diverse workplace committed to sustainability and equity.
• Career‑defining experiences with a strong learning culture.