Regional Landscape Architecture Lead

• Join a global design and engineering leader as our Regional Landscape Architecture Lead. Drive sustainable, high-impact landscape and public realm projects across the Middle East from our Abu Dhabi hub.
• We’re looking for a visionary leader to shape the future of our Landscape Design practice. Lead strategy, inspire teams, and deliver landmark projects across the region.
• An exceptional opportunity for a senior landscape professional who can combine creative design leadership with business development and operational excellence.
  
  
  

About Surbana Jurong (SJ Group)

Surbana Jurong Group (SJ Group) is a global multidisciplinary urban, infrastructure, and engineering consultancy with 16,500 professionals across more than 120 offices in 40+ countries. As a world-class group of architectural, engineering, and program management specialists, we are committed to shaping cities, transforming communities, and designing environments that enable real impact, made together.

Our Middle East business continues to expand rapidly across infrastructure, buildings, cities, aviation, transportation, and environmental planning, supported by regional design hubs in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha.

Position Overview

The Regional Landscape Architecture Lead, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, will set the strategic direction, creative vision, and operational performance of the Landscape Design division.

This senior leadership role combines creative excellence, business development, operational leadership, and commercial accountability, with direct responsibility for building and mentoring a high-performing team capable of delivering integrated, sustainable landscape and public realm projects across the region.

The successful candidate will oversee the division’s profit and loss (P&L), drive market expansion, and ensure strong collaboration with Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, Engineering, and Environmental teams across the wider SJ Group.

• Strategic & Business Leadership:
• Develop and execute the strategic growth plan for the Landscape Architecture practice in the Middle East.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities through market intelligence, client engagement, and tender leadership.
• Drive cross-disciplinary collaboration with Architecture, Engineering, and Planning to strengthen multidisciplinary pursuits.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and full P&L accountability for the Landscape division.
• Establish performance metrics focusing on design quality, market growth, and project delivery efficiency.
• Position SJ as a leading provider of sustainable and integrated landscape services across the region.
• Design Leadership & Innovation:
• Lead creative visioning and design excellence across all project stages — from concept to construction.
• Champion innovation, sustainability, and contextual design solutions tailored to the Middle East environment.
• Enhance multidisciplinary integration through active design reviews and collaborative workshops.
• Promote research, digital transformation, and the adoption of new technologies and sustainable practices.
• Team Leadership & Development:
• Build, grow, and inspire a high-calibre team of landscape architects and design specialists.
• Establish clear team structure, workflows, and delivery standards to strengthen operational performance.
• Lead recruitment initiatives together with HR to attract top regional and international talent.
• Support continuous learning through mentorship, training, and performance development frameworks.
• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, inclusion, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Project Oversight & Delivery:
• Oversee design quality and strategic inputs across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide leadership on resource planning, risk management, and technical resolution.
• Ensure delivery excellence through strong collaboration with project management teams.
• Maintain quality control and design integrity throughout site implementation.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Build and sustain long-term relationships with clients, government agencies, and industry partners.
• Lead high-level presentations, design pitches, and stakeholder workshops.
• Negotiate scope, fees, and contractual terms in line with SJ’s commercial governance.
• Ensure client satisfaction through proactive engagement and consistent delivery excellence.
  
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of professional experience; 5–8 years at a senior leadership/director level in the Middle East.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale public realm, mixed-use, hospitality, or civic projects.
• Strong understanding of environmental planning, landscape construction, planting design, and irrigation.
• Demonstrated P&L leadership and business development success.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and client relationship skills.
• Strong familiarity with local authority processes, environmental protocols, and sustainability frameworks.
  
  
  

Why Join SJ?

At SJ, we design for impact. We combine global expertise with regional insight to create sustainable, connected, and people-focused environments that shape future cities.

All recruitment activities go through our recruitment function, and currently, this role doesn’t require agency input. Please do not forward resumes directly to SJ Group employees/managers; we do not accept unsolicited resumes and are not responsible for any associated fees.

• Only successful candidates will be contacted**
  
  
  

At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!

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