Chief Operations Officer (COO) - Property Development

About the role

Nathan HR Human Resources is recruiting an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) in Dubai to lead operations and oversee a growing property development portfolio. Reporting to the CEO, the COO translates business strategy into operational plans, builds high-performing teams and oversees projects from feasibility and acquisition through construction, completion and handover. This is a developer-side leadership role requiring strong UAE property development experience.

Key responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations and implement the business's growth strategy.
• Oversee the full development lifecycle, including feasibility, design, approvals, procurement, construction and handover.
• Ensure projects meet approved budgets, timelines, quality standards and commercial objectives.
• Establish operational policies, governance frameworks, project controls and executive reporting.
• Manage development teams, consultants and contractors, ensuring clear accountability and performance.
• Oversee regulatory approvals and compliance with UAE development requirements.
• Work with finance on project budgets, cash flow, cost control and profitability.
• Coordinate development delivery with sales, marketing and customer handover activities.
• Identify and mitigate operational, commercial and project risks.
• Recruit and develop teams and establish scalable processes to support portfolio growth.

Required profile

• Ideally 15+ years of experience in property development or related sectors, including 10+ years in the UAE/GCC with significant direct UAE development exposure.
• Proven senior leadership experience with an established property developer.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple developments across the full project lifecycle.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Property, Business, Finance or a related discipline preferred; an MBA, relevant postgraduate qualification or professional accreditation is advantageous.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of UAE regulations, authority approvals, procurement and contractor management.
• Strong commercial and financial understanding, including development feasibility, budgets and cash flow.
• Experience establishing governance, reporting systems and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strategic leadership, operational execution, commercial acumen, stakeholder management, team development and decisive problem-solving.