Development Manager - Real Estate

About the role

The Development Manager manages assigned real estate development projects from feasibility and business planning through concept development, approvals, design coordination and delivery. The role reports to the Director of Real Estate Development and covers commercial, hospitality and other asset classes. It may give functional guidance and mentoring to Development Officers without formal line management.

Key responsibilities

• Develop project strategies and business plans covering asset positioning, phasing, land use and commercial assumptions
• Carry out market research, supply-and-demand analysis, benchmarking, pricing studies and asset-class assessments
• Prepare and review feasibility studies, financial models, cash flows, investment returns and sensitivity analyses
• Coordinate concept development with Design, Projects, Commercial, Finance and other functions
• Recommend value-enhancement and value-engineering opportunities
• Coordinate consultant scopes, selection, appointment, briefing and performance monitoring with Procurement, Commercial and Design
• Handle internal and external approvals, including government and regulatory requirements
• Monitor project performance against scope, programme, budget and quality, and coordinate risk mitigation
• Act as the development interface with Projects, Design, Land, Asset Management, Hospitality, Commercial, Finance, Legal, Procurement and Business Excellence, and with consultants, developers, investors, funds and government entities
• Prepare management reports, development updates, business cases and recommendations

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Finance or a related discipline
• 5-7 years of experience in real estate development, development management or a related field
• Experience across feasibility, concept development, design, approvals and delivery
• Good knowledge of UAE real estate practices, market dynamics, regulations and approval processes
• Strong analytical, planning, stakeholder-management, problem-solving, presentation and communication skills
• Desirable: Master's degree, experience with a UAE-based developer, exposure to residential, commercial, hospitality or mixed-use developments, and Power BI knowledge

Required skills

• Real estate development strategy and business planning
• Market and feasibility analysis
• Financial modelling and investment analysis
• Development cost and budget analysis
• Development risk management
• Consultant procurement and management
• Contract and commercial administration
• Project delivery coordination
• Microsoft Excel and reporting tools such as Power BI