Overview

AtkinsRéalis are seeking Strategic Urban Planners of various seniorities who excel at thought leadership — Future City Thinkers—to lead transformative urban strategies across MEA and APAC.

This is not a conventional planning role. We're looking for a visionary leader, a thought provocateur, and a design futurist who can shape the next generation of cities through bold ideas, strategic foresight, and compelling storytelling. You will be at the forefront of city-scale innovation, guiding governments, developers, and communities toward resilient, inclusive, and tech-enabled urban futures.

Your role

• Lead regional urban strategy initiatives across MEA and APAC, delivering future-ready frameworks, master plans, and policy guidance.
• Champion thought leadership through keynote speaking, publications, and strategic advisory roles that influence urban discourse globally.
• Envision next-generation cities by integrating emerging technologies, climate resilience, mobility innovation, and socio-cultural dynamics.
• Develop and communicate urban narratives that inspire action—using storytelling, visualisation, and strategic framing to engage clients and stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of innovation, design excellence, and strategic thinking.
• Engage with high-level stakeholders including government agencies, city leaders, and private sector partners to co-create urban visions.
• Translate global trends into local strategies, ensuring contextual relevance while pushing the boundaries of possibility.
• Drive innovation in planning tools, data-driven decision-making, and scenario modelling to support strategic foresight.
• Analyse urban trends and data using GIS and other planning tools to inform strategic decision-making, working with our digital teams to push boundaries.
• Advocate for design excellence and innovation in all aspects of urban transformation.
• Engage stakeholders through workshops, presentations, and participatory design processes to ensure inclusive and responsive planning that feeds into strategic level planning and development.