Senior Development Manager

About This Role

Senior Development Manager

We are looking for a Senior Development Manager to oversee the entire lifecycle of real estate projects — from initial site selection and feasibility studies to construction and final handover to the client.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee all phases of real estate development projects, from establishing the project brief to planning, execution, and completion.
• Assist in the preparation of RFPs and in identifying appropriate consultants for the project.
• Review and assess technical and financial proposals from consultants, and prepare recommendations for appointments to management.
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams, including architects, engineers, and interior designers, ensuring the project design aligns with strategic objectives, market positioning, budget, and schedule.
• Coordinate the launch and marketing materials for projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Review design packages submitted by consultants, ensuring proper coordination with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with local zoning laws and regulations, and obtain necessary approvals and permits from relevant municipal, governmental, and statutory authorities.
• Prepare and present regular reports to senior management on design progress, key milestones, budgets, and risk identification and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Experience in coordination with cost consultants, leading value engineering exercises, and collaborating with contractors to meet budget requirements is essential.
• Work closely with the construction team and contractors to monitor progress, manage schedules, and ensure construction adheres to quality standards and budget constraints.
• Maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders — including strategic business partners, public officials, community leaders, and consultants — keeping them informed of project milestones, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications and Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (preferably Architecture), with experience in residential and/or hospitality projects.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience in the real estate industry, with a proven track record of managing development projects in the UAE. Strong understanding of project launch processes, local codes and regulations, permitting, and construction workflows.
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrated experience managing budgets for large-scale real estate development projects.
• Project Management: Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills for dealing with consultants, contractors, and business stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Exceptional ability to identify issues, mitigate risks, and develop effective, timely solutions.
• Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of real estate market dynamics, trends, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Design Acumen: Ability to review design packages across multiple disciplines and provide feedback aligned with project vision, budget, and timeline requirements. Attention to detail and commitment to quality standards are essential.