Senior Architect Master Planning & Township Development

Company: Della Group
Location: Lonavala, Maharashtra, with travel as required
Reporting To: Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) / Designated Leadership
Experience: 10+ years
Working Days: Six days a week - Monday to Saturday
Working Hours: Extended working hours as required by business and project priorities

1. About the Role

Della is seeking an accomplished, visionary and technically strong Senior Architect – Master Planning & Township Development with a proven track record of working on large-scale master-planning assignments, integrated townships and premium developments for luxury brands.

The role requires an architect who can think beyond individual buildings and envision complete destinations—integrating architecture, landscape, infrastructure, hospitality, lifestyle experiences, real estate and community spaces into a cohesive master plan.

The successful candidate will work closely with the CMD, senior leadership, design teams, consultants and project stakeholders to conceptualise, develop and coordinate master plans that reflect a distinctive design philosophy, strong functional planning, commercial viability and a world-class user experience.

Candidates must have demonstrable experience in luxury developments and township-scale projects, with the ability to translate a high-level vision into technically coordinated, implementable and commercially conscious planning solutions.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Master Planning & Township Development

- Lead and contribute to the preparation of comprehensive master plans for integrated townships, luxury destinations, hospitality developments and large-scale mixed-use projects.
- Translate the project vision, land characteristics, development objectives and business requirements into cohesive spatial planning strategies.
- Plan and coordinate residential, hospitality, commercial, recreational, cultural, lifestyle and public-realm components within a unified development framework.
- Develop land-use plans, zoning strategies, development parcels, circulation networks, open-space systems and amenity distribution plans.
- Evaluate site potential, topography, access, surrounding development, views, natural features and other site-specific constraints.
- Prepare concept master plans, land-use diagrams, zoning plans, spatial layouts and development frameworks at appropriate project stages.
- Ensure that individual development parcels and architectural components align with the overall township vision.
- Integrate functionality, aesthetics, user experience, accessibility, sustainability and long-term operational requirements into the planning process.
- Evaluate alternative planning scenarios and present recommendations based on design quality, feasibility, infrastructure requirements and business objectives.

B. Luxury Design & Brand-Led Planning

- Apply experience gained from working with luxury brands to develop distinctive, high-quality planning solutions.
- Understand the expectations of premium and ultra-premium customers, luxury hospitality operators, investors and other relevant stakeholders.
- Translate brand positioning and design principles into spatial planning, architectural character, arrival experiences, circulation, landscaping and public spaces.
- Ensure consistency between the master plan, architectural expression, landscape design and the intended customer experience.
- Develop destination-led planning concepts that create a strong sense of place and differentiate the development from conventional real estate projects.
- Collaborate with interior design, landscape, lighting, signage and experiential design teams to create a cohesive design language.
- Evaluate the relationship between built form, open spaces, amenities, movement networks and the overall perception of luxury.
- Contribute creative ideas that enhance the destination's identity while remaining practical to execute and operate.

C. Architectural Planning & Design Development

- Lead architectural planning for designated components of the township, from initial concept through design development and coordination.
- Review building massing, site layouts, access points, setbacks, circulation, orientation and the relationship between buildings and their surroundings.
- Develop and review architectural drawings, layouts, sections, elevations, area statements and design presentations.
- Coordinate architectural proposals with structural, MEP, civil, infrastructure, landscape and other specialist consultants.
- Identify design conflicts, planning gaps and technical constraints at an early stage.
- Ensure that architectural proposals remain aligned with the approved master plan and relevant project standards.
- Review design submissions and recommend refinements to improve functionality, buildability, spatial quality and overall design coherence.
- Support the preparation of design briefs and project-specific architectural guidelines for consultants and design partners.

D. Site Analysis, Development Feasibility & Planning Strategy

- Conduct site visits and review surveys, topographical information, site constraints and available development data.
- Assess site conditions and identify opportunities and constraints affecting master planning.
- Work with relevant teams to evaluate development potential, land utilisation, access, infrastructure capacity and phasing considerations.
- Coordinate with planning, engineering, legal, regulatory and project teams to understand applicable development controls and approval requirements.
- Review planning assumptions and flag potential issues affecting feasibility, design intent, programme or development costs.
- Contribute to development scenarios, area calculations, density studies, land-use efficiency and phasing strategies.
- Support the integration of infrastructure, utilities, roads, drainage, parking, mobility and service access into the master plan.




- Ensure that planning recommendations are grounded in verified site information and applicable statutory requirements.

E. Design Coordination & Consultant Management

- Coordinate with internal architects, external design consultants, landscape architects, infrastructure consultants, engineers and specialist agencies.
- Prepare clear design briefs, deliverable schedules, coordination requirements and review comments.
- Ensure that consultant outputs are consistent with the approved vision, scope, design parameters and project timelines.
- Conduct design coordination meetings and track decisions, actions, dependencies and pending deliverables.
- Review consultant drawings and presentations for alignment, completeness and coordination with other disciplines.
- Identify discrepancies between architectural, infrastructure, landscape and engineering proposals and facilitate resolution.
- Maintain organised records of drawings, design versions, comments, approvals and master-plan revisions.
- Ensure timely communication of design changes that may affect other disciplines or project deliverables.

F. CMD Interaction & Design Vision

- Work closely with the CMD and designated leadership to understand the strategic vision and design expectations for each development.
- Translate high-level concepts and leadership inputs into structured planning options and design proposals.
- Prepare compelling presentations, diagrams, layouts, visualisations and supporting material for design reviews.
- Present alternative master-planning options with clear explanations of the spatial, technical and commercial implications.
- Incorporate approved feedback into revised designs and ensure that the design team works to the latest authorised direction.
- Maintain a tracker of key decisions, approvals, design changes and outstanding actions.
- Exercise discretion when handling confidential concepts, development plans, land information and business strategies.
- Ensure that material design changes are implemented only after the required approvals.

G. Infrastructure, Landscape & Public Realm Integration

- Coordinate the integration of roads, pedestrian networks, service access, parking, utilities and other infrastructure into the overall planning framework.
- Work with landscape architects to develop coherent open-space systems, green corridors, recreational areas and public-realm experiences.
- Consider pedestrian comfort, connectivity, accessibility, safety and ease of navigation throughout the development.
- Integrate hospitality, recreation, leisure and community amenities in locations that support accessibility and the intended customer experience.
- Coordinate with relevant specialists on water management, drainage, energy, waste management and other sustainability-related planning considerations.
- Ensure that infrastructure and service requirements support the long-term functionality and operational efficiency of the township.
- Review the interface between public areas, private developments, service zones and operational facilities.

H. Statutory Approvals & Regulatory Coordination

- Coordinate with relevant internal teams and specialist consultants on applicable planning regulations, development control requirements and statutory approvals.
- Ensure that master-planning proposals are developed with due regard to applicable zoning, land-use, building and infrastructure regulations.
- Review design proposals for potential statutory or compliance issues and escalate matters requiring specialist advice.
- Support the preparation and coordination of drawings, area statements and other planning documentation required for submissions.
- Maintain awareness of approval dependencies and communicate potential regulatory impacts on project timelines.
- Ensure that statutory interpretations and technical submissions are verified by appropriately qualified professionals and relevant consultants.

I. Project Phasing, Documentation & Delivery

- Contribute to development phasing strategies that align with infrastructure readiness, business priorities, project sequencing and operational requirements.
- Maintain master-plan drawings, area schedules, design registers, revision histories and supporting documentation.
- Establish clear deliverable timelines and coordinate submissions with project management and design teams.
- Monitor design progress against agreed schedules and escalate delays or unresolved issues.
- Support the transition from master planning to detailed architectural design and project implementation.
- Ensure continuity of design intent across planning, detailed design, consultant coordination and execution stages.
- Identify opportunities to improve design processes, coordination efficiency and documentation quality.

3. Key Deliverables

The role will be accountable for producing and coordinating the following, as applicable to the assigned project:

- Concept and detailed master plans.
- Land-use, zoning and development parcel plans.
- Site analysis and development potential studies.
- Building massing, density and area calculations.
- Architectural concept layouts and design development packages.
- Circulation, access, infrastructure and public-realm coordination plans.
- Landscape and amenity integration plans.
- Design briefs, consultant coordination drawings and review comments.
- Design presentations, visualisations and leadership review material.
- Phasing plans, design registers and approval trackers.

4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be assessed against agreed project deliverables and timelines,



including:

1. Master-planning quality: Design coherence, spatial planning quality and alignment with the approved development vision.
2. Township integration: Effective coordination of land use, architecture, infrastructure, landscape and amenities.
3. Luxury design standards: Ability to translate luxury-brand expectations into a distinctive, high-quality development experience.
4. Timely deliverables: Completion of planning packages, design revisions and presentations within agreed timelines.
5. Technical coordination: Accuracy, completeness and coordination of drawings and planning documentation.
6. Design efficiency: Identification of planning conflicts and reduction of avoidable revisions and rework.
7. Feasibility and buildability: Consideration of infrastructure, site conditions, development constraints and implementation requirements.
8. Stakeholder management: Effective coordination with the CMD, internal teams, consultants and project stakeholders.
9. Approval and documentation discipline: Timely maintenance of design registers, review comments, decisions and authorised revisions.
10. Project readiness: Successful transition of approved master-planning concepts into coordinated design-development and implementation stages.

5. Educational Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from a recognised institution.
- Master’s degree or postgraduate specialisation in Urban Design, Urban Planning, Master Planning or a related field will be an advantage.
- Relevant professional registration and compliance with applicable requirements for architectural practice are expected where required by the nature of the assignment.

6. Experience & Industry Exposure

Mandatory experience:

- Minimum 10 years of professional experience in architecture and master planning.
- Demonstrated involvement in large-scale master-planning assignments and township developments.
- Prior experience working with luxury brands, premium hospitality developments, high-end residential projects or destination-led developments.
- Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants.
- A portfolio demonstrating the candidate’s individual contribution to master plans, township projects and luxury developments.

Preferred experience:

- Integrated townships and mixed-use developments.
- Luxury hospitality, resorts, branded residences and destination developments.
- Large land parcels and phased development projects.
- Architecture, landscape and infrastructure coordination.
- International design standards, premium customer experiences and design-led real estate.

7. Technical Skills & Competencies

- Strong command of AutoCAD and relevant architectural documentation tools.
- Proficiency in SketchUp, Revit, Rhino or other appropriate 3D modelling software.
- Ability to prepare clear design presentations using relevant visualisation and presentation tools.
- Understanding of master-planning principles, land-use planning, building regulations, site planning and development controls.
- Strong spatial thinking, design judgement and analytical ability.
- Knowledge of infrastructure coordination, landscape integration, accessibility and sustainable planning principles.
- Excellent communication, presentation, stakeholder-management and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams, competing priorities and demanding deadlines.
- High standards of documentation, ownership, confidentiality and professional conduct.

8. Working Conditions

- The position requires a six-day working week.
- The candidate must be willing to travel regularly to Lonavala for site visits, design reviews, coordination meetings and project-related requirements.
- Extended working hours may be required in line with business priorities, project milestones and leadership requirements, subject to applicable law and Company policy.
- The role involves regular interaction with senior leadership, internal design teams, external consultants and project stakeholders.
- The candidate must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, design-led environment where creative vision must be translated into technically coordinated and implementable solutions.

9. Expected Outcomes During the First 90 Days

First 30 days – Understanding and assessment

- Understand the project vision, design philosophy, development objectives and current master-planning status.
- Review existing drawings, site information, design documentation and consultant deliverables.
- Identify key planning constraints, design dependencies and outstanding decisions.

Days 31–60 – Planning and coordination

- Establish a clear design and deliverables tracker.
- Develop or refine master-planning options and coordination packages as assigned.
- Align internal teams and consultants on priorities, milestones and design-review requirements.

Days 61–90 – Delivery and optimisation

- Demonstrate measurable progress against agreed master-planning milestones.
- Improve coordination, documentation and design-review discipline.
- Present structured recommendations that support design quality, feasibility and timely project development.

10. Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a seasoned architect and master planner who combines creative vision with technical rigour and commercial awareness. They should understand how to plan an integrated township as a complete destination rather than a collection of independent buildings.

They must be comfortable working directly with senior leadership, translating ambitious design aspirations into coordinated planning solutions, managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering to demanding timelines.

Candidates with 10+ years of relevant experience, robust township master-planning credentials, luxury-brand exposure and a compelling portfolio are encouraged to apply.

Please share your CV, Portfolio, Notice period, current and expected CTC and Location with willingness to work 6 days + travel to lonavala

📌 Senior Architect (Mumbai)
🏢 Della Resorts
📍 Mumbai