Chief Development Officer, Industrial Real Estate, Investment Holding

PRO-Global Search GmbH; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A rapidly growing industrial real estate platform in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead growth initiatives, including land acquisition and project execution. This strategic role will drive the company's long-term vision and ensure operational excellence by building cross-functional teams and managing complex development processes within the institutional capital environment.

Benefits

Competitive executive compensation and performance-based incentives.

Entrepreneurial and agile working environment backed by strong financial resources.

Direct influence on strategic decisions and long-term value creation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years in senior development or real estate leadership roles, ideally in industrial or logistics sectors.
• Proven track record in delivering complex, multi-phase development projects across diverse markets.
• Deep understanding of land acquisition processes, infrastructure planning, permitting, and construction.
• Experience working in or alongside institutional capital environments, including private equity or public market contexts.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on operational execution skills.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, including regulatory, political, and investment-related matters.
• Exposure to IPO preparation or listed-company governance is a plus.
• Willingness to travel regionally as needed.
• Fluent in English; additional language skills are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of strategic land opportunities for industrial development.
• Oversee the full development lifecycle, from planning and permitting to construction and handover.
• Manage budgets, control costs, assess risks, and ensure that projects are delivered efficiently and in line with business objectives.
• Champion innovation in design and construction, integrating value engineering and sustainability wherever possible.
• Build and manage high-performing cross-functional teams including internal staff, external consultants, and contractors.
• Establish and maintain robust reporting and governance systems to support transparency and capital alignment.

Skills

Real estate development

Land acquisition

Project management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Job description

We are seeking a visionary and execution-focused Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead the growth and delivery of our industrial real estate platform. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role plays a critical part in shaping our long-term development strategy, driving expansion through land acquisition, project execution, and capital deployment, with a clear path toward public market readiness.

You will operate at the intersection of strategic planning, operational excellence, and real estate innovation building a scalable platform with institutional standards while adapting to the complexities of fast-evolving markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of strategic land opportunities for industrial development.
• Oversee the full development lifecycle, from planning and permitting to construction and handover.
• Manage budgets, control costs, assess risks, and ensure that projects are delivered efficiently and in line with business objectives.
• Champion innovation in design and construction, integrating value engineering and sustainability wherever possible.
• Build and manage high-performing cross-functional teams including internal staff, external consultants, and contractors.
• Establish and maintain robust reporting and governance systems to support transparency and capital alignment.

Requirements :

• Minimum of 15 years in senior development or real estate leadership roles, ideally in industrial or logistics sectors.
• Proven track record in delivering complex, multi-phase development projects across diverse markets.
• Deep understanding of land acquisition processes, infrastructure planning, permitting, and construction.
• Experience working in or alongside institutional capital environments, including private equity or public market contexts.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on operational execution skills.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, including regulatory, political, and investment-related matters.
• Exposure to IPO preparation or listed-company governance is a plus.
• Willingness to travel regionally as needed.
• Fluent in English; additional language skills are advantageous.

What We Offer

• A leadership role at the forefront of a high-growth industrial development platform.
• Direct influence on strategic decisions, capital deployment, and long-term value creation.
• Entrepreneurial and agile working environment backed by strong financial resources.
• Competitive executive compensation and performance-based incentives.