Development Manager

About the role

Khazna Data Centers, the leading wholesale data centre provider in the MENA region, is looking for a Development Manager to drive strategic development opportunities. The role will support site origination, land and utility coordination, permitting readiness and transition into execution for priority projects within the Special Projects function.

Key responsibilities

• Support progression of strategic development opportunities in line with business priorities and project objectives.
• Manage multiple workstreams across site acquisition, utilities, permitting and pre‑development activities to ensure timely progression.
• Track project status, milestones, risks and dependencies, escalating issues that may affect feasibility or investment decisions.
• Identify, screen and evaluate development opportunities, including land acquisition, partnerships and other pathways.
• Coordinate engagement with landowners, brokers, developers, infrastructure providers and advisors.
• Support due‑diligence and commercial assessments to determine viability of opportunities.
• Lead utility strategy coordination, service provider engagement, permitting and regulatory approvals in partnership with technical teams.
• Maintain alignment across land, utilities, permitting, technical feasibility and phasing assumptions.
• Monitor critical‑path activities and maintain visibility on approvals, constraints and dependencies.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, industrial engineering, urban planning or related field (Master’s degree advantageous).
• 8–12 years of experience in real‑estate, infrastructure, industrial or data‑centre development, covering site origination, land transactions, permitting and utility coordination.
• Proven experience in UAE/GCC development environments with exposure to stakeholder engagement and regulatory processes.
• Experience supporting development opportunities through governance, business case development and transition to delivery.
• Familiarity with partnership, co‑development or transaction‑led models is a plus.

Required skills

• Stakeholder engagement
• Business case development
• Utility coordination
• Pre‑development activities
• Site origination
• Land transactions
• Permitting processes
• Governance and project governance