We are currently looking for a Senior Heritage Planning Projects Senior Specialist to join the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors. Through its work in cultural heritage, museums, historic environments, creative industries, and destination development, DCT Abu Dhabi plays a central role in preserving the emirate’s cultural identity while positioning Abu Dhabi as a leading global destination for culture and tourism.
Role Purpose The Senior Heritage Planning Project Specialist supports the Heritage Planning Projects Unit by project managing and overseeing the preparation of heritage planning studies, feasibility studies, adaptive reuse frameworks, and heritage-led urban revitalization initiatives.
The role coordinates internal and external stakeholders, consultants, and resources to ensure that heritage planning tools and project studies are evidence-based, technically sound, and aligned with DCT priorities, conservation requirements, and long-term management needs.
The position also builds and maintains the unit’s institutional knowledge base, including information on the regulatory environment, funding instruments, stakeholder landscape, socio-economic data, and international best practice, to inform project development, business case preparation, and implementation monitoring.
Key Responsibilities Heritage Feasibility Studies and Project Development Project manage and coordinate the development of heritage planning studies that inform rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, and heritage-led urban revitalization projects. Coordinate the preparation of heritage planning tools, including Site Management Plans, Conservation Management Plans, Heritage Management Plans, Heritage Masterplans, implementation plans, and related planning instruments. Support the development of adaptive reuse business plans, economic viability frameworks, operator selection criteria, programme briefs, and project briefs for heritage assets. Prepare and review scopes of work, consultant briefs, technical inputs, and project documentation to support procurement and delivery of heritage planning studies. Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure project deliverables are completed to agreed standards, timelines, and institutional requirements.
Business Case, Feasibility, and Adaptive Reuse Contribute to the preparation and quality review of business plans, feasibility studies, financial viability frameworks, and economic narratives for heritage projects. Support operator analysis, revenue scenario review, cost framework development, and business case documentation in coordination with internal teams and external consultants. Ensure that business case inputs reflect heritage values, conservation requirements, operational needs, community benefit, and long-term management considerations. Support the preparation of programme briefs and activation concepts for heritage assets identified for cultural, tourism, community, or mixed-use functions. Assist in aligning feasibility study recommendations with DCT strategies, conservation policies, legislative requirements, and international best practice.
Institutional Knowledge and Evidence Base Build and maintain the Heritage Planning Projects Unit’s institutional knowledge base to support heritage planning instruments and project development. Map and regularly update information on relevant regulations, policy frameworks, funding instruments, stakeholder responsibilities, ownership considerations, and socio-economic data. Research and synthesize international best practice in heritage planning, adaptive reuse, heritage economics, conservation-led regeneration, and cultural landscape management. Prepare briefing notes, evidence summaries, benchmarking studies, and internal knowledge products to inform decision-making and business case preparation. Maintain structured records of studies, recommendations, decisions, stakeholder inputs, and implementation status in line with DCT requirements.
Monitoring and Implementation Monitor the implementation of approved heritage plans, planning tools, feasibility study recommendations, and adaptive reuse frameworks. Track progress against agreed actions, indicators, timelines, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder commitments. Identify implementation gaps, constraints, risks, and opportunities, and escalate matters requiring management attention. Coordinate with relevant DCT teams, government entities, consultants, operators, asset owners, and delivery partners to support implementation of study outcomes. Prepare progress reports, dashboards, presentations, and updates to support management review and decision-making.
Governance & Stakeholder Engagement Coordinate day-to-day engagement with internal DCT sectors, government entities, municipalities, planning authorities, consultants, developers, investors, operators, and community-facing partners. Support stakeholder consultations, workshops, meetings, and review sessions for heritage planning projects and studies. Document stakeholder inputs, agreed actions, approvals, risks, and follow-up requirements to ensure clear project governance. Support the development of governance arrangements, partnership structures, operating models, and stakeholder commitments required for heritage-sensitive project outcomes. Provide technical and coordination support in responding to senior management and government stakeholder requests.
Research and Innovation Contribute to research initiatives related to heritage planning, adaptive reuse, heritage economics, heritage-led revitalization, and cultural landscape management. Prepare technical reports, briefing notes, presentations, research summaries, and internal papers to support unit activities. Support knowledge-sharing activities, workshops, training materials, and guidance documents related to heritage planning tools and methodologies. Contribute to the dissemination of heritage planning knowledge within DCT and with relevant external partners, as directed. Support the preparation of publications, conference inputs, or professional presentations related to the unit’s work.
Dissemination Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of technical reports, research papers, policy papers, guidance documents, and publications. Represent DCT at professional conferences, technical forums, and academic events, promoting the visibility of Abu Dhabi's heritage planning initiatives.
Shared Activity Carry out any other duties and responsibilities related to the role at the request of the direct manager. Follow all relevant DCT departmental policies, processes, standard operating procedures, values, ethics, and occupational safety and health requirements. Contribute to continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes, and practices.
Qualifications and Experience Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Historic Preservation, Heritage Conservation, Landscape Architecture, or a related discipline. Master's degree in Heritage Conservation, Urban Planning, Architecture, Cultural Heritage Management, or related field. Minimum 6–8 years of relevant experience in heritage planning, conservation planning, adaptive reuse, urban regeneration, heritage management, cultural asset planning, or related fields Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary projects and consultant teams.
Skills Heritage Planning and Conservation Management Business Feasibility Studies Financial modelling Adaptive Reuse Planning Urban Regeneration and Revitalisation Heritage Policy and Guideline Development Project and Programme Management GIS and Spatial Analysis Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation Report Writing and Publications Budget and Consultant Management
Interested candidates are welcome to apply or share their CV for consideration.