Chief Development Officer

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Job Purpose

The Chief Development Officer is responsible for leading the end-to-end development agenda, covering development strategy, growth, feasibility, portfolio planning, master planning, design governance and project delivery.

The role ensures development opportunities are commercially viable, financially disciplined and delivered within approved timelines, budgets, quality standards and regulatory requirements. The position also drives development pipeline growth, investment decisions and cross-functional coordination to maximize long-term portfolio value.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Development & Growth

• Define and drive long-term development strategy aligned with corporate vision, shareholder expectations and portfolio priorities.
• Identify and evaluate land acquisition, mixed-use development, partnerships and market expansion opportunities.
• Lead annual and multi-year development planning and translate strategic priorities into executable plans.
• Advise on pipeline, project prioritization, phasing and investment opportunities.

Investment, Feasibility & Portfolio Strategy

• Oversee feasibility studies, financial modelling, investment analysis and business cases.
• Assess projects against ROI, funding, market demand, risk and long-term portfolio value.
• Monitor portfolio performance and recommend phasing, repositioning, product-mix changes or value enhancement.
• Ensure decisions are supported by market intelligence, pricing benchmarks and regulatory considerations.

Design & Master Planning

• Lead design and master planning direction across developments.
• Ensure concepts and masterplans balance commercial viability, placemaking, infrastructure, regulatory compliance and long-term asset value.
• Establish design governance, quality standards and multidisciplinary technical coordination.
• Ensure design outcomes support sustainability, customer experience and development objectives.

Project Delivery & Construction

• Oversee project planning, execution and delivery within approved cost, schedule, quality and regulatory parameters.
• Establish robust project management, governance, risk and quality-control frameworks.
• Monitor contractors, consultants and service providers against contractual and performance requirements.
• Resolve critical delivery, design, cost and schedule risks and ensure operational readiness.

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Lead engagement with consultants, contractors, designers, engineers, government authorities, investors and strategic partners.
• Ensure consultant and contractor accountability for scope, quality, timelines and commercial performance.
• Maintain strong authority relationships to facilitate approvals and project clearances.
• Drive alignment across Development, Finance, Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Legal, Communities and Government Relations.

Financial & Commercial Control

• Oversee development budgets, project cost plans and capital allocation priorities.
• Ensure projects remain financially viable and aligned with approved investment returns.
• Lead value engineering without compromising design, quality or long-term asset value.
• Review major contracts, procurement and variations, and provide executive visibility on cost, cash flow and budget risks.

Leadership & Organizational Capability

• Build succession capability, technical excellence and leadership depth.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, commercial discipline and data-driven decision-making.
• Support the Group CEO and Executive Leadership with scenario planning, strategic insights and board-level reporting.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration or related discipline.
• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred; PMP, RICS, CIOB, LEED, CFA or equivalent certifications advantageous.
• 20+ years of progressive real estate development experience, including 10+ years in senior executive leadership .
• Proven experience managing large-scale mixed-use, residential, retail or community developments in the UAE/GCC .
• Strong exposure to development strategy, feasibility, land acquisition, master planning, design governance, construction, authority approvals and portfolio management.

Key Skills

• Strategic development and portfolio planning
• Real estate feasibility, investment analysis and development economics
• End-to-end development and project delivery
• Master planning, design and construction governance
• Financial and commercial management
• Executive leadership and cross-functional management
• Consultant, contractor and stakeholder management
• Strong knowledge of UAE/GCC regulations and approval processes
• Commercial judgment, negotiation and complex problem-solving