Head, Group Project Planning & Development

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The Head, Group Project Planning & Development (GPPD) provides strategic leadership in the end-to-end planning and development lifecycle of Retail & Mixed-use projects. The role involves setting project vision and planning frameworks, formulating development strategies, and overseeing the alignment of conceptual planning through to implementation. The incumbent is responsible for steering multidisciplinary teams, driving statutory and regulatory engagement, and institutionalizing digital transformation practices to uplift project planning effectiveness and innovation.

Role Summary 

The Head, Group Project Planning & Development (GPPD) provides strategic leadership in the end-to-end planning and development lifecycle of Retail & Mixed-use projects. The role involves setting project vision and planning frameworks, formulating development strategies, and overseeing the alignment of conceptual planning through to implementation. The incumbent is responsible for steering multidisciplinary teams, driving statutory and regulatory engagement, and institutionalizing digital transformation practices to uplift project planning effectiveness and innovation. 

Key Outcomes 

• Development strategies are formulated and executed to ensure commercial viability, timely regulatory approvals, and alignment with corporate objectives. 

• Project planning frameworks and design standards are continuously optimized to improve quality, cost efficiency, and innovation. 

• Digital and data-driven tools are embedded across planning stages to enhance decision-making and performance tracking. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Strategic Project Planning & Feasibility 

• Establish development vision and strategic planning parameters for retail projects (mall, mixed-use, lifestyle hubs). 

• Conduct feasibility studies & market research include evaluate macro-level land use, product positioning, target market, infrastructure readiness, and risk factors. 

• Direct comprehensive feasibility studies integrating spatial, financial, and stakeholder insights using digital planning tools (e.g., GIS, financial simulations). 

• Engage with senior stakeholders and the Investment Committee to align project direction with long-term business goals. 

2. Regulatory Strategy & Authority Liaison 

• Formulate strategies for early authority engagement, pre-consultation, and compliance pathway optimization. 

• Oversee and troubleshoot escalated issues in submission processes (planning, infrastructure, building plans). 

• Strengthen institutional relationships with federal, state, and local government agencies to advocate for project priorities. 

3. Design Governance & Technical Excellence 

• Define design governance protocols and ensure alignment of detailed designs with master planning intent. 
• Lead the full development cycle: new concept development, design evaluations for optimum retail space planning and sustainability achievement.

• Lead the consultants and internal teams in adopting BIM and digital coordination tools to drive quality, speed, and risk reduction. 

4. Innovation & Implementation Oversight 

• Drive the adoption of digital technologies (e.g., BIM 360, project dashboards) to enhance scenario planning and implementation tracking. 

• Drive the strategic planning and guide the evaluation of design via mock-ups to support design validation, meeting market needs and customer experience enhancements. 

• Lead the post-mortem reviews and lessons-learned processes to inform continuous improvement. 

Cross-Stage Responsibilities 

• Stakeholder Strategy & Governance: Lead stakeholder alignment across departments (Design, Leasing & Retail Management, Sales, Finance, Legal) and advise Management on trade-offs and decision points. 

• Compliance Risk Management: Anticipate regulatory challenges and develop policy-compliant mitigation strategies. 

• Digital Transformation in Planning: Champion the use of digital platforms (GIS, BIM, Microsoft Project, Power BI) to improve scenario modelling, performance tracking, and reporting. 

• Thought Leadership: Lead and mentor the Group PPD and project teams in strategic thinking, innovation, and risk-informed planning practices. 

Core Competencies & Technical Expertise 

Technical Expertise 

• Strategic Planning & Feasibility Modelling: Advanced skills in interpreting market trends, land potential, and regulatory constraints to define project vision and feasibility. 

• Design Oversight & Innovation: Strong command retail and mixed-use project planning, urban design, and integrated infrastructure coordination. 

• Regulatory Strategy: Deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks, with ability to influence planning outcomes and streamline approval pathways. 

• Digital & Data-Driven Planning: Proficiency in analytics and planning tools (e.g., GIS, BIM, Power BI) for data-informed decision-making. 

• Leadership & Governance: Proven ability to lead governance structures, manage strategic risks, and drive interdepartmental collaboration. 

Qualifications & Experience 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate or a related field. 

• Master's degree in urban design, Business Administration, or Strategic Management is advantageous. 

• Accreditation in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PMI) or Urban Planning is preferred. 

Experience & Key Competencies: 

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in property development, retail or commercial project planning & development, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role. 

• Proven track record in leading large-scale retail or mixed-use developments, stakeholder strategy & management, and regulatory engagement. 
• Strong commercial acumen, technical and leadership capabilities 

• Proven ability to drive innovation and transformation in project planning environments. 
• Strong knowledge of retail market trends and user behaviour
• Strategic thinking, strong planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills 

Cross-Stage Responsibilities 

• Stakeholder Strategy & Governance: Lead stakeholder alignment across departments (Design, Leasing & Retail Management, Sales, Finance, Legal) and advise Management on trade-offs and decision points. 

• Compliance Risk Management: Anticipate regulatory challenges and develop policy-compliant mitigation strategies. 

• Digital Transformation in Planning: Champion the use of digital platforms (GIS, BIM, Microsoft Project, Power BI) to improve scenario modelling, performance tracking, and reporting. 

• Thought Leadership: Lead and mentor the Group PPD and project teams in strategic thinking, innovation, and risk-informed planning practices. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate or a related field. 

• Master's degree in urban design, Business Administration, or Strategic Management is advantageous. 

• Accreditation in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PMI) or Urban Planning is preferred. 

Experience & Key Competencies: 

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in property development, retail or commercial project planning & development, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role. 

• Proven track record in leading large-scale retail or mixed-use developments, stakeholder strategy & management, and regulatory engagement. 

• Strong commercial acumen, technical and leadership capabilities 

• Proven ability to drive innovation and transformation in project planning environments. 

• Strong knowledge of retail market trends and user behaviour

• Strategic thinking, strong planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills 

The selection process may take some time as we carefully consider each talent that comes our way.  Please note that we will only be in contact with successfully shortlisted candidates for the next phase of the recruitment process within 2-4 weeks. We truly appreciate your interest and always look forward to meeting great people who’d like to work with us!