Senior Principal - Urban Planning

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
At Jacobs, we push the limits of what’s possible to make the world smarter, more connected and more sustainable. In our built environment, that means designing spaces that foster innovation, cultivate collaboration, and drive the next great discovery for humanity.
Bring your creativity, collaborative spirit, and extreme attention to detail, and we’ll help you grow, pursue, and fulfill what drives you – so we can deliver extraordinary solutions for a better tomorrow, together.
Jacobs is looking for a talented & creative Senior Principal - Urban Planning to join our Cities and Places team in India.
The Senior Principal- Master Planning will function like a technical head for master planning and urban development projects for the Master Planning/Urban Planning discipline.
This role is responsible for design excellence, commercial awareness, and strong client engagement, while guiding multidisciplinary teams to deliver high‑quality projects aligned with Jacobs vision for both Domestic and Global projects in the areas of Master Planning, Urban Planning, Urban Design, and aligned closely with the disciples of Landscape Design, Architecture, Visual media/ communication, Sustainability, and Infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Creative Direction for Urban Design, Master Planning, Urban Planning and Associated Disciplines
Lead urban design and master planning assignments under the guidance of the Design Head, ensuring close coordination with landscape design. Guide concept development, master planning strategies, and design narratives from initial vision through detailed master planning. Deliver high-quality design solutions that respond to client needs, site context, and development objectives while advocating sound planning and placemaking principles. Integrate built form, public spaces, landscape, and movement networks to create cohesive, inclusive, and sustainable environments. Guide the preparation of clear, compelling drawings, visual material, and presentations that communicate the design intent effectively.
Technical Oversight
Provide technical guidance to ensure urban design and master planning proposals meet applicable planning regulations, development controls, sustainability standards, and best practices. Review master plans, urban design guidelines, drawings, reports, and presentations for accuracy, consistency, and quality. Coordinate with architecture, landscape, transport, infrastructure, and sustainability teams to ensure integrated and technically feasible proposals. Mentor team members in methods associated with practice disciplines, documentation standards, and multidisciplinary coordination.
Client Interaction & Business Support
Conduct client meetings, workshops, presentations, and design reviews. Understand client requirements and translate them into clear design strategies. Support business development through pitches, proposals, and design-led storytelling.
Commercial Awareness
Take complete accountability for bids and proposals for projects, working closely with capture managers and the Design Head to ensure completeness, accuracy, and competitiveness of all submissions. Ensure design solutions are aligned with project budgets, timelines, and commercial objectives. Coordinate with project managers, cost consultants, and leadership teams on feasibility and risk. Formulate bid strategies and resource planning for new opportunities.
Team Management & Collaboration
Support the operations person/team within Cities and Places group to collaborate on resource planning across the Master Planning and Urban Design disciplines for projects including identifying resource requirements, managing deployment, and ensuring optimal utilisation across projects. Work closely with the Design Head and capability leads to identify skill gaps within the team and develop strategies, hiring, training, or upskilling, to ensure those gaps are addressed effectively.
Lead and mentor team members to perform better in terms of better solutions, cost-effective delivery, and creating value for the client through Jacobs involvement on the project. Foster a collaborative, integrated, and high‑performance design culture across all disciplines. Manage performance, encourage skills development, and promote cross‑functional design integration to ensure cohesive project delivery.
Market Knowledge & Innovation
Stay updated on International/domestic market trends, development regulations, and industry best practices. Introduce innovative design tools, sustainability approaches, and advanced digital techniques to strengthen project delivery. Promote design excellence, creative thinking, and thought leadership within the market and industry forums. Closely collaborate with Market Leads and the Market Solutions Head to align design strategies with market needs, client expectations, and emerging opportunity areas.
Inculcate and advocate for Jacobs culture for high-quality project delivery and a great workplace culture.
Here's what you'll need
Bachelor’s in architecture (mandatory).
Master’s in urban design / planning / architecture from a reputed institution
18 + years of experience in multi‑disciplinary design, including architecture and planning.
Strong portfolio demonstrating leadership in concept design, master planning, and integrated design delivery. Experience working with private developers, government agencies, multidisciplinary teams and the oversees Market
Key Skills & Attributes
People leadership skills
Strong creative and conceptual thinking
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Strong client‑facing abilities
Commercial acumen and project understanding
Ability to balance creativity with technical feasibility
A collaborative, inspiring, and solution‑oriented demeanour
At Jacobs we value people. Having the right balance of belonging, career and lifestyle enables us to consistently deliver and exceed clients’ expectations.
Working alongside industry leaders, you will have the opportunity to develop your career working on key projects in an environment which encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation. To support your professional growth, Jacobs flexible working arrangements, extended leave options and a host of social, health and wellbeing events and initiatives will underpin our commitment to you.
At Jacobs it’s all about what you do, not where you are, which counts!
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

Work arrangement
Hybrid