Development Director - Hotel Real Estate

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 725,000 - 1,060,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Group in Dubai seeks a Development Director - Hotel Real Estate to lead large-scale hotel development projects across UAE and regional markets. You will oversee opportunities from feasibility through financing, planning, execution and completion, coordinating Finance, Design, Project Management, Procurement, Commercial, Asset Management and Marketing to deliver on time and within budget.

Ideal candidate has 10–15 years in real estate development, strong leadership, financial modelling

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering or Business.
• 10–15 years in real estate development with large-scale delivery.
• Experience across asset classes; MENA exposure preferred.
• Strong leadership and financial modelling capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic plans aligned with organisational objectives.
• Research real estate markets and identify development opportunities.
• Conduct feasibility studies and competitor assessments.
• Oversee project budgets, forecasts and financial models.
• Structure development decisions to optimise financial performance.
• Monitor costs and minimise financial exposure.
• Manage development lifecycles from concept to completion.

Skills

Real estate dev

Hotel development

Market analysis

Feasibility studies

Financial modelling

Stakeholder negotiation

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor degree in Real Estate

Job description

Development Director - Hotel Real Estate Job Snapshot

• Role: Development Director - Hotel Real Estate
• Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Industry: Real Estate
• Function: Real Estate
• Experience: 10-15 years in real estate development
• Job Type: Full-time

Al-Futtaim Group is hiring a Development Director - Hotel Real Estate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for a senior leadership opportunity within the Real Estate industry. The Director will oversee large-scale development projects from opportunity identification and feasibility through planning, financing, execution and completion. The role will ensure that investments across the UAE and regional markets create sustainable strategic value. Close coordination with Finance, Design, Project Management, Procurement, Commercial, Asset Management and Marketing teams will be essential for delivering projects within approved budgets, schedules and quality standards.

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Dubai

Industry: Real Estate

Function: Real Estate

Salary: AED 65000-95000 per month

Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in Dubai; please confirm the final offer with the employer.

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality: Any

Job Type: Full-time

Job Requisition ID: 180084

The Development function converts investment opportunities into commercially successful real estate assets. This position will balance market demand, financial returns, design quality and operational requirements across complex project lifecycles. Projects involve substantial capital commitments and diverse external stakeholders. The Director will therefore provide strong commercial leadership, identify risks early and ensure development decisions support profitability, sustainability and long-term portfolio value.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop strategic plans aligned with organisational objectives.
• Research real estate markets and identify development opportunities.
• Conduct feasibility studies and competitor assessments.
• Oversee project budgets, forecasts and financial models.
• Structure development decisions to optimise financial performance.
• Monitor costs and minimise financial exposure.
• Manage development lifecycles from initial concept to completion.
• Track milestones, quality requirements and budget commitments.
• Coordinate Finance, Design, Procurement and Project Management teams.
• Maintain productive relationships with financial institutions.
• Manage consultants, contractors and regulatory authorities.
• Communicate project progress and resolve stakeholder concerns.
• Identify market, financial and operational risks.
• Establish mitigation plans before risks affect project delivery.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and safety requirements.
• Integrate green building standards and sustainable practices.
• Evaluate suitable technologies and innovative development solutions.
• Lead cross-functional teams and promote accountable collaboration.
• Mentor team members and support professional development.
• Prepare reports covering milestones, risks and opportunities.
• Maintain accurate development briefs, feasibility studies and financial records.

Ideal Profile

Candidates should hold a bachelor 's degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Business or another relevant discipline. Applicants must possess 10 to 15 years of real estate development experience and demonstrate successful delivery of large-scale, complex developments. Experience across multiple asset classes is required, while previous exposure to MENA markets is preferred. Strong leadership, financial modelling and problem-solving capabilities are essential. Candidates must be able to structure complex commercial deals, negotiate with diverse stakeholders and navigate regional regulations and changing market conditions.

Skills Set

• Real estate development strategy
• Hotel development
• Market and competitor analysis
• Feasibility studies
• Financial modelling
• Development budgeting and forecasting
• Complex deal structuring
• Project lifecycle management
• Development risk management
• Regulatory compliance
• Green building standards
• Sustainability planning
• Estate Master
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Senior stakeholder negotiation
• Cross-functional team leadership
• Executive reporting

Why Join Us

This position provides the opportunity to influence major development investments within a multi-billion-dirham MENA real estate portfolio. The Director will shape projects across different asset classes while contributing to strategic decisions with long-term commercial impact. Al-Futtaim 's development scale offers professional stability and exposure to landmark mixed-use destinations and complex regional projects. Working across finance, design, commercial and asset-management functions will further strengthen the successful candidate 's executive development expertise.

About the Company

Al-Futtaim Group is a diversified, privately held regional business operating across automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare. The Group employs more than 35,000 people in over 20 countries and partners with more than 200 international brands.