Director, Development | Hotel Development | Real Estate

Job Requisition ID: 180084 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role:

The Development function is pivotal in driving real estate projects that create strategic value for investments in UAE & Regional. This includes identifying opportunities, planning, financing, and executing development projects. The Director of Development will oversee the entire lifecycle of real estate projects, ensuring successful delivery within defined timelines, budget, and quality standards. This role works closely with stakeholders across multiple functions, ensuring that projects contribute to organizational growth, profitability, and sustainability.

What you will do:

Strategic Planning & Market Analysis:

• Develop and implement strategic plans for real estate development projects, ensuring alignment with the organization's overall strategy and long-term vision.
• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify development opportunities, evaluate feasibility, and conduct competitor analysis.

Project Financial Management:

• Oversee all financial aspects of development projects, including budgeting, financial forecasting, and financial modelling to ensure optimal financial performance.

• Ensure financial objectives are met by monitoring project costs and minimizing financial risks.

Development Lifecycle Management:

• Manage the development lifecycle, ensuring projects are delivered from inception through to completion, meeting all milestones and budget constraints.
• Collaborate with finance, design, project management, and procurement teams to ensure seamless execution of development plans.

Stakeholder Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including financial institutions, contractors, consultants, and regulatory authorities.
• Engage with stakeholders regularly to communicate project progress, address concerns, and manage expectations.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Identify potential risks to development projects, including market, financial, and operational risks, and develop proactive mitigation strategies.
• Ensure all projects comply with local regulations, safety standards, and sustainability practices.

Team Leadership & Collaboration:

• Lead and inspire cross-functional teams, ensuring collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

• Mentor and guide team members to achieve personal and professional growth.

Sustainability & Innovation:

• Integrate sustainability and innovation into all development projects, ensuring adherence to green building standards and incorporating cutting-edge technologies where appropriate.

• Ensure environmental impact is minimized and long-term sustainability is considered in all developments

Reporting & Documentation:

• Provide regular, detailed reports to senior management on the progress of development projects, highlighting key milestones, risks, and opportunities.

• Ensure that all project documentation, including development briefs, feasibility studies, and financial reports, are accurate and up to date.

Job Context

The Director of Development – plays a key role in the successful execution of the company's strategic real estate vision. This position is part of the Development team and collaborates closely with various cross-functional departments, including Finance, Design, Project Management, Procurement, Commercial, Asset Management, and Marketing.

Given the dynamic nature of the real estate industry, the role demands agility and the ability to navigate complex project cycles. The Director of Development must balance competing priorities, mitigate risks, and ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with quality standards. The role requires a strong leadership presence, as the individual will lead project teams and influence key decisions that impact project success.

As the company’s projects are often large-scale and involve significant financial investments, the Director of Development must work closely with senior leadership and external stakeholders, such as contractors, consultants, and regulatory authorities. In addition, the real estate development sector's evolving trends and customer expectations mean that innovation, sustainability, and adaptability are key components of the development process.

This position is highly collaborative, requiring excellent communication skills and a strategic mindset. The Director must lead the planning, design, and delivery of projects that are aligned with both market demand and organizational objectives, ensuring long-term value creation for the company.

Required Skills to be successful:

Job-Specific Skills:

• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Excellent analytical, financial modeling, and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build consensus and resolve conflicts among diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence in real estate development.
• Strong financial acumen and the ability to analyze and structure complex financial deals.
• PowerPoint and Estate Master skills
• In-depth knowledge of local and regional real estate markets, regulations, and industry trends.

What equips you for the role:

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Real Estate, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Business etc.)

Minimum Experience: 

• 10-15 years of experience in real estate development, with a proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale / complex real estate developments
• Must have experience across all asset classes
• Experience in MENA region is preferred

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate
The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years. 
Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.
AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.