Head of Real Estate Investment and Capital Formation

About This Role

We are representing a global leading global investment and real-estate development platform focused on large-scale, mixed-use projects linked to sports, entertainment, and lifestyle destinations.

Job Title: Head of Real Estate Investment and Capital Formation – MENA

Location: MENA (preferred base: Dubai or Abu Dhabi)

Reports to: Founder

Function: Senior leadership role responsible for driving growth, partnerships, capital formation, and entity establishment across the MENA region for a global investment and real-estate development platform focused on large-scale, mixed-use projects linked to sports, entertainment, and lifestyle destinations.

Role Purpose

The Head of Real Estate Investment & Capital Formation will lead the development, execution, and management of the real estate investment strategy across the GCC and MENA markets. This senior leadership role is responsible for sourcing high-quality investment opportunities, structuring transactions, raising capital from institutional and private investors, and driving value creation across the real estate portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a highly analytical, commercially driven investment professional with a strong regional network and a proven track record in real estate acquisitions, development financing, and capital structuring.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement the real estate investment strategy aligned with organizational objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize investment opportunities across multiple asset classes (residential, commercial, hospitality, industrial, logistics, mixed-use, and income-generating assets).
• Lead feasibility studies, market assessments, and financial due diligence to support investment decisions.
• Oversee deal structuring, pricing, and negotiation of term sheets and transaction documentation.
• Monitor portfolio performance and optimize returns through active asset and capital management.

Capital Formation & Investor Relations

• Lead fundraising efforts across GCC and global markets targeting sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, UHNWIs, family offices, and strategic partners.
• Develop compelling investment memoranda, pitch decks, financial models, and due-diligence packages.
• Build long-term relationships with capital providers and maintain ongoing communication, reporting, and portfolio updates.
• Oversee structures for equity, debt, mezzanine, and JV capital solutions to support acquisitions and developments.

Deal Execution & Transaction Management

• Manage all phases of the investment lifecycle: sourcing, underwriting, structuring, negotiations, closing, and post-acquisition value creation.
• Lead cross-functional teams including legal, finance, development, asset management, and external advisors.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, legal, and governance frameworks across relevant jurisdictions.
• Oversee third-party advisors such as valuers, technical consultants, financial advisors, and legal counsel.

Experience

• 10–15 years of progressive experience in business development, investment origination, or capital markets within real estate, infrastructure, or private equity sectors.
• Proven track record in establishing new entities or regional offices, including managing legal registration, licensing, and operational readiness.
• Demonstrated success in raising institutional and sovereign capital, with deal values exceeding USD 500 million.
• Deep network across MENA governments, sovereign funds, institutional investors, and developers.
• Proven ability to manage complex negotiations, structure high-value transactions, and oversee cross-border execution.
• Strong understanding of regional business environments, including QFC, DIFC, ADGM, and KSA regulatory frameworks.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with understanding of IRR, NPV, and deal modeling fundamentals.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and C-suite engagement capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial and execution-driven mindset.
• Effective communicator with outstanding presentation and negotiation skills.
• Fluent in English; Arabic proficiency strongly preferred.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and political sensitivity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance, or related discipline; MBA or advanced qualification preferred.
• Willingness to travel extensively across the region and internationally.
• Comfortable leading both strategic initiatives and hands-on execution in a growth-stage environment.