Development Director

Mace; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace is seeking an experienced Development Director to lead a Grade A+ Commercial Office Tower within a prestigious UAE masterplan. The role covers end-to-end development, delivery and commercial success, acting as the client's representative, steering strategy, design excellence, procurement, leasing readiness, and market positioning for an internationally competitive office destination.

You will lead architectural, engineering, workplace, sustainability, and consultant teams while managing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Real Estate Development, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Development or Finance.
• Proven client representative with full accountability for development strategy and delivery.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant, design, and construction teams on complex mixed-use developments.
• Strong financial acumen in development appraisals, budgets, cash flow and investment decisions.
• Experience delivering high-profile mixed-use developments including office, hospitality, residential, retail and public realm.
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, presentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the client's representative for development strategy, delivery and commercial success of the Grade A+ office tower.
• Establish development strategy aligned with client vision and masterplan objectives.
• Provide leadership over architectural, engineering, interior design, workplace and sustainability teams.
• Manage budgets, business plans, financial performance, programme delivery and risk management.
• Identify and mitigate development, design, construction, leasing and operational risks.
• Provide strategic reporting to senior executives on performance, risk, budget and investment outcomes.
• Collaborate toward net zero carbon goals and manage associated emissions reductions.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Presentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate Development

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Position status: This opportunity is for a secured role that is due to commence in October subject to approval.

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The Project

This is an opportunity to work on one of the largest and most prestigious mixed‑use developments in the UAE. The project comprises a landmark masterplan incorporating a Grade A+ office tower, luxury hotels, branded residences, retail, hospitality, public realm, and associated infrastructure.

Mace is supporting the delivery of this flagship development and is seeking high‑calibre professionals to help realise a world‑class destination that sets new benchmarks in design excellence, functionality, commercial performance and user experience.

The Role

Mace is seeking an experienced Development Director - Grade A+ Commercial Office Tower to lead the end‑to‑end development, delivery, and commercial success of a globally significant trophy commercial office tower within a prestigious mixed‑use development.

Acting as the client's representative, you will provide strategic leadership throughout the entire project lifecycle, driving development strategy, design excellence, commercial performance, stakeholder engagement, procurement, construction delivery, leasing readiness, and market positioning. Responsible for ensuring the successful integration of the commercial tower within the wider masterplan while creating a globally competitive office destination capable of attracting international blue‑chip occupiers, institutional investors, financial services firms, and private family offices.

You'll Be Responsible For

• Acting as the client's representative and single point of accountability for the development strategy, delivery, and commercial success of the Grade A+ office tower.
• Establishing and implementing the development strategy, ensuring alignment with the Client's vision, commercial objectives, and wider masterplan aspirations.
• Providing leadership and oversight of architectural, engineering, interior design, workplace, sustainability, and specialist consultant teams.
• Managing development budgets, business plans, financial performance, programme delivery, risk management, and investment objectives.
• Identifying and mitigating development, commercial, design, construction, leasing, and operational risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Providing strategic reporting to senior executives and stakeholders on development performance, risk, programme, budget, leasing readiness and investment outcomes.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

You'll Need To Have

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate Development, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Development, Finance or a related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• Proven experience acting as a client representative with full accountability for development strategy, commercial performance, and project delivery.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant, design, construction, commercial, and operational teams on complex mixed‑use developments.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing business plans, development appraisals, budgets, cash flow, investment performance, and commercial decision‑making.
• Strong knowledge of procurement, development management, project delivery, contract administration, and governance processes.
• Experience delivering high‑profile mixed‑use developments incorporating commercial office, hospitality, residential, retail, and public realm components.
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well‑being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long‑term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part‑time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.