Strategic Planning Department Manager

Role overview

This role focuses on strategic planning and portfolio management of long-term infrastructure projects, particularly through the development and oversight of five-year portfolio plans (5YPPP) and master plans. Responsibilities include managing project initiation and stage-gate processes, reviewing and approving master plans, capital investment plans, and business cases, and ensuring alignment with organizational KPIs and national guidelines.

The position also involves prioritizing projects, coordinating with internal departments and external stakeholders including government entities and developers, monitoring plan implementation, integrating GIS data, and supporting agreements for service delivery. Additionally, it includes capability assessment, knowledge transfer initiatives, and ensuring all activities comply with quality, safety, and environmental standards.

Key responsibilities

• Adopt and implement client’s PMM and EXPROs five-year projects.
• Manage portfolio planning (5YPPP) processes and methodologies.
• Register projects and manage initial stages of the stage-gate process.
• Review and update the national guideline for master planning.
• Manage the development of the national master plan.
• Review clusters master plan.
• Review and approve the capital investment plan (CIP) identified by the local master plan.
• Ensure all projects within the CIP contribute toward achieving KPIs.
• Review and approve project business cases.
• Ensure all projects align with master plan requirements.
• Support clusters in preparing and updating the 5YPPP periodically.
• Prioritize projects within the 5YPPP based on approved criteria.
• Update and finalize the 5YPPP based on comments from the EXPRO team.
• Collaborate with other client departments to develop capital expenditure for specialized programs.
• Support coordination with external governmental departments such as municipalities to align projects with expansion plans.
• Work with the supply and demand committee to regularly update plans.
• Monitor implementation of regional master plans and their identified CIPs.
• Assess capability of existing department staff and recommend appropriate roles and responsibilities.
• Integrate client’s asset GIS data into a unified database platform.
• Prepare the strategic planning department knowledge transfer program, including comprehensive on-the-job learning.
• Coordinate water and wastewater services with main developers.
• Draft agreements and memorandums of understanding to provide services for developers.
• Coordinate with regional clusters to ensure timely execution of agreements and relevant projects.
• Attend coordination meetings with main developers.
• Review mega project requirements for water and wastewater services and ensure inclusion within master plans.
• Ensure compliance with relevant quality, environmental, safety, and occupational health policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager or supervisor.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or urban planning from an accredited university.
• Minimum 20 years of experience in related fields, including significant national or international initiatives and developments.
• Proven record of close engagement with utility providers and broader commercial and public cluster stakeholders.
• Expertise in central development master planning and urban planning, preferably at national levels.
• Thorough knowledge of urban and infrastructure planning disciplines.
• Expertise in the development of water and wastewater master plans.
• Extensive international experience, preferably in the Middle East and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
• Cultural understanding of project management within KSA is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional information

The employer is a global program, project, and construction management provider focused on protecting client interests and delivering tailored solutions throughout the construction project lifecycle. The company employs thousands of professionals worldwide and is committed to equal opportunity employment.

Note: This job description is intended to provide an indication of the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions required to fulfill the role. Various other duties may be assigned as needed.