Case Study

Emirates Urban Planners

Client Background:

Emirates Urban Planners is a leading Dubai-based consultancy that specializes in urban planning, infrastructure design, and smart city development across the UAE and the Middle East. With key contributions to the UAE Vision 2040 initiative, their projects range from masterplans for satellite cities to integrated transport ecosystems.

In early 2025, Emirates Urban Planners secured two high-priority government contracts with a strict timeline. They needed to mobilize a high-performance technical team to begin groundwork and conceptual planning immediately—but qualified candidates in the Gulf market were scarce and slow to hire.

The Challenge:

The firm was tasked with assembling a multi-disciplinary team of experts in just 15 business days. The in-house HR team was overwhelmed, and traditional Gulf-based recruitment firms were proving too slow, too expensive, and unstructured in their process.

Positions Required:

  • 2 Senior Urban Planners (with UAE/GCC experience)

  • 3 BIM Modelers (Revit, InfraWorks)

  • 2 GIS Analysts (ArcGIS & Smart Mapping)

  • 1 Landscape Architect (with LEED/Sustainable Design focus)

  • 2 AutoCAD Technicians (Civil + MEP)

  • 1 Planning Coordinator (Arabic-speaking preferred)

Key Constraints:

  • Candidates must be familiar with UAE regulations and documentation

  • Preference for those already in the GCC region with NOC or transferable visa

  • Strong urgency: entire team must be finalized and on-boarded within 3 weeks

  • Emirates Urban Planners agreed to Altariya’s 50% advance model to fast-track the process with dedicated resources.


Altariya’s Solution – A Premium, Fast-Track Hiring Sprint

With the 50% advance, Altariya activated its international recruiting team, streamlined sourcing across borders, and ensured priority candidate engagement using its exclusive architecture & engineering recruitment network.

Day 1–2: Strategic Kickoff

  • Discovery call with Emirates Urban Planners’ Planning Director & HR Team

  • Finalized technical expectations, software tools, soft skills, and location filters

  • Shared contract terms with 50% upfront activation for premium hiring sprint

Day 3–6: Aggressive Sourcing Begins

  • Applications sourced from:

    • LinkedIn Premium (Gulf Region)

    • Naukri Gulf

    • WorkIndia Global

    • Altariya’s in-house candidate pool

    • GCC engineering job forums & expat Telegram groups

  • Focus on ready-to-join candidates with verified documentation and portfolios

Total Applications Received: 754

Day 7–9: Screening + Video Interviews

  • Altariya filtered and shortlisted only the top 5%

  • 41 candidates were invited for pre-recorded video interviews, which covered:

    • Role-specific technical scenarios

    • Regulatory understanding (DM/DDA/ADM compliance)

    • Project walkthroughs and live screen demos (for BIM, GIS, CAD roles)

    • Arabic fluency and cultural fit assessment (for the Planning Coordinator role)

Each candidate was presented with:

  • Resume

  • Portfolio link

  • Pre-recorded video

  • Altariya’s internal HR evaluation notes

Day 10–12: Client Final Interviews

  • Emirates Urban Planners shortlisted 14 candidates for direct Zoom rounds

  • Altariya managed time zone coordination and prepped candidates with documentation

  • Negotiations for offer letters, relocation, and NOC verifications were also initiated

Day 13–15: Offers, Visa Coordination & Final Onboarding

  • 11 offers made

  • 10 candidates accepted and joined, 9 within the timeline, 1 delayed by visa approval

  • Final balance payment released post onboarding

Key MetricResult
Total Applications Received754
Video Interviews Conducted41
Final Offers Extended11
Candidates Successfully Onboarded10 (9 on time, 1 delayed)
Time to Fulfill15 Business Days
Billing Model50% Advance / 50% Post-Onboarding
Client Satisfaction★★★★★ (5/5)

 

Why This Engagement Worked

  •  High-Intent Global Sourcing
  •  BIM/GIS/Civil Expertise Under One Roof
  • Pre-Verified Video Interviews
  • Legal/Visa Document Support
  • Priority Handling via 50% Advance

Conclusion:

This project proves that Altariya’s hybrid recruitment model—combining global reach, video-first evaluation, and premium onboarding speed—can solve even the toughest talent challenges for companies across borders.

Whether you’re hiring in Dubai, Delhi, or Doha, Altariya gives you speed, quality, and trust—backed by real outcomes.