Strategy, Delivery, and Development Performance.
Built on more than two decades of experience across every stage of the landscape and project lifecycle.
ABOUT ME
Mario Arno Matyas
Born in Austria in 1987, worked in GCC for over 20 years, and now lives in Baku.
Senior landscape, construction and project development leader with more than 21 years of international experience across the GCC, holding an Executive MBA from the University of Cumbria, UK.
My expertise spans landscape strategy, masterplanning, design, project delivery, horticulture, operations, maintenance and long-term asset performance. I have led complex projects from early concept through procurement, construction, handover and ongoing operations, managing consultants, contractors, budgets, quality and commercial performance.
With experience across major developments, hospitality, public realm, mixed-use and residential projects, including NEOM, I combine technical landscape expertise with strategic thinking, commercial acumen and hands-on project leadership.
My Approach
Strategic Thinking
Every successful project starts with a clear strategy. I focus on creating practical, commercially sound solutions that align long-term vision with real-world delivery.
360° Perspective
Having worked as a developer, client, consultant, contractor, operator, and entrepreneur, I understand the priorities of every stakeholder and use that perspective to make balanced, informed decisions.
Leadership Through Delivery
Great ideas only matter when they are successfully delivered. I lead multidisciplinary teams through complex challenges, ensuring projects move from concept to completion with confidence.
Creating Lasting Value
I believe success is measured long after construction ends. My approach prioritises quality, operational performance, sustainability, and commercial value to create assets that stand the test of time.
My Journey
From entrepreneur to international executive, building experience across every stage of the project lifecycle in landscape & construction developments.
KEY EXPERIENCES
AUSTRIATEC
(United Arab Emirates)
Co-Founder & Managing Director
2007
Founded and led Austriatec, a multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing and construction business delivering more than 1,250 projects across the UAE.
Over nine years, I grew the company from start-up to a successful high-revenue enterprise, leading strategy, business development, commercial management, engineering, manufacturing and turnkey project delivery across hospitality, residential, commercial and government sectors.
The business became known for bespoke technical solutions, patented innovations and complex project execution for leading developers, consultants and contractors.
AQUA VERDE
(United Arab Emirates)
Director - Operations & Business Development
2016
Executive leadership role within a multidisciplinary landscaping and pool construction company, overseeing operations, commercial performance, business development and project delivery across the UAE. Led the planning, design and delivery of more than 75 landscape projects spanning luxury residential, hospitality, commercial and large-scale community developments. My role covered landscape architecture, hardscape, softscape, irrigation, pools, water features and multidisciplinary coordination from concept through construction and maintenance. I also helped strengthen the company’s market position through operational improvement, strategic partnerships and new business growth.
JUMEIRAH GROUP / DUBAI HOLDING
(United Arab Emirates)
Director - Landscaping & Special Projects
2019
Led landscape, public realm and special projects across Jumeirah’s flagship luxury hospitality portfolio, including Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. My role covered landscape strategy, design management, CAPEX planning, asset enhancement, operational performance and guest experience improvements across approximately 500,000 m² of landscape assets. I directed consultants and project teams from concept through approvals and implementation, delivering landscape refurbishments, public realm upgrades, lighting, wayfinding and operational improvements while protecting design intent, brand standards and long-term asset value.
NEOM
(Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Manager - Landscaping, Placemaking & Public Realm. Later appointed Head of Horticulture BU
2022
Held senior landscape leadership roles across NEOM, supporting some of the world’s largest and most complex giga-scale development programmes. Led landscape strategy, masterplanning, design governance and consultant coordination across THE LINE and wider NEOM regions, directing international landscape, urban design, infrastructure, irrigation, environmental and engineering teams through concept, schematic and detailed design stages. Developed landscape design guidelines, technical standards, review frameworks, surveys and specialist studies, while coordinating multidisciplinary interfaces across public realm, infrastructure, irrigation, lighting, civil and MEP disciplines. I also led landscape asset management and maintenance planning for a portfolio exceeding US$100 million, developed budgets and cost estimates for multi-billion-dollar programmes, and established long-term strategies for horticulture, nurseries, planting demand, irrigation efficiency and landscape performance at giga-project scale.