Chief Development Officer - UAE

Redpath Partners; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading real estate development firm in Dubai is seeking a Chief Development Officer to oversee the strategy and execution of a multi-billion dirham property portfolio. The ideal candidate should have over 15 years of experience in real estate development, particularly in the GCC, with proven leadership capabilities in mixed-use and hospitality projects. This role includes managing development teams and ensuring projects align with commercial objectives.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience in real estate development with experience in GCC.
• Strong track record in delivering mixed-use, residential, hospitality projects.
• Solid understanding of development finance and project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategy and delivery of multi-asset portfolio.
• Define long-term development strategy and evaluate new opportunities.
• Manage project delivery to ensure on-time, on-budget execution.

Skills

Real estate development

Project management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate, Urban Planning

MBA (advantageous)

Job description

Chief Development Officer - UAE

• Real Estate & Property
• Property Development
• Dubai
• Permanent / Full Time

5 / 11 / 2025

• Oversees strategy, masterplanning, design and delivery of multi-asset portfolio
• Manages internal development, design, and project delivery teams
• Ensures projects meet commercial targets, quality standards and timelines

The Chief Development Officer will lead the full development lifecycle across a multi-billion dirham real estate portfolio consisting of residential communities, branded residences, hospitality assets, retail destinations, and mixed‑use masterplans. This role carries strategic and operational accountability for shaping the development pipeline, managing design and delivery teams, and ensuring commercial, financial, and technical outcomes align with the Group’s vision and investment objectives.

The CDO will work closely with the CEO, Board, Investment, Commercial, and Asset Management functions, acting as a key leadership figure representing the organisation with government entities, consultants, contractors, and JV partners.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Define the long‑term development strategy in alignment with corporate growth objectives.
• Originate, evaluate, and structure new development opportunities and masterplans.
• Lead feasibility analysis, business case preparation, project prioritisation, and capital allocation.
• Provide leadership input on investment strategy, pricing, phasing, product mix, and market positioning.

Design & Development Management

• Oversee concept design, master‑planning, detailed design, and value engineering processes.
• Ensure product and design quality meets brand standards and customer expectations.
• Manage internal design teams and external consultants, architects and engineering firms.
• Drive efficient approvals and permitting through government and regulatory bodies.

Project Delivery & Execution

• Oversee project delivery from groundbreaking through to handover.
• Manage development and project management leads to ensure on‑time, on‑budget execution.
• Implement robust project governance, reporting, risk controls, and change‑management protocols.
• Resolve high‑level stakeholder, technical, commercial and contractual matters.

Financial & Commercial Accountability

• Set development budgets, manage cost controls, and ensure commercial performance.
• Approve procurement strategies, contractors and key consultant appointments.
• Monitor financial KPIs, cashflows, schedules and value creation targets.

Leadership & Representation

• Build, lead and develop high‑performing design, development and delivery teams.
• Represent the business in board‑level reviews, partner negotiations and public engagements.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, design excellence and disciplined execution.

Candidate Profile

• 15+ years’ experience in real estate development, with a strong track record in the GCC.
• Proven leadership delivering mixed‑use, residential, hospitality or masterplan projects at scale.
• Strong understanding of development finance, cost planning, feasibility and commercial modelling.
• Experience leading multi‑disciplinary teams and managing external consultants/contractors.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and executive reporting capabilities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels.

Preferred Backgrounds

• Master Developer, Real Estate Investment Platform, Sovereign‑backed Entity or Large Private Developer.
• UAE experience is a must.
• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate, Urban Planning or related discipline (MBA advantageous).