Development Manager

Wasl Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Wasl Group in Dubai seeks a Development Manager to oversee real estate development projects from feasibility and business planning through concept development, approvals, design coordination and delivery.

You will analyze market conditions, prepare financial models and cash flows, and coordinate with internal teams and external consultants to ensure projects meet scope, budget, quality and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Finance.
• 5–7 years of real estate development or development management experience.
• Experience across feasibility, concept development, design, approvals and delivery.
• Strong knowledge of UAE real estate development practices and regulatory processes.
• Proficiency in Excel and relevant reporting tools.
• Power BI experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop project strategies, business plans, and development approaches.
• Conduct market research, benchmarking, pricing, and asset-class assessments.
• Prepare feasibility studies, financial models, cash flows, investment returns, and sensitivities.
• Coordinate concept development with Design, Projects, Commercial, Finance and other functions.
• Identify value-enhancement opportunities while preserving approved quality and scope.
• Coordinate consultant scopes, appointments, and performance monitoring.
• Monitor consultant deliverables against scope, programme, budget and quality.
• Coordinate internal/external approvals with government/regulatory authorities.
• Prepare management reports and recommendations for decision-making.

Skills

Real Estate Strategy

Market Analysis

Financial Modelling

Development Coordination

Contract Admin

Project Delivery

UAE Regulations

Reporting

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate/Architecture/Engineering/Finance

Master’s degree in Real Estate/Finance/Development/Business

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

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Position Title: Development Manager
Reports to: Director of Real Estate Development
Department: Real Estate Development

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Manager manages assigned real estate development projects from feasibility and business planning through concept development, approvals, design coordination, and delivery. The role evaluates project viability through market, financial, and development analysis and supports formulation of appropriate development strategies. It coordinates consultants and internal stakeholders to progress projects in line with approved scope, programme, budget, quality, and regulatory requirements. The position monitors project performance identifies risks and variances and recommends appropriate mitigation or value-enhancement actions. It also prepares development reports, business cases, and recommendations to support management decision-making across assigned projects and asset classes.

JOB DIMENSIONS

Number of Staff Supervised:

• Direct Reports: None Initially
• Total Reports: 0

The role may provide functional guidance, mentoring, and work oversight to Development Officers and other project resources without formal line-management accountability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Key Accountabilities

• Develop project development strategies and business plans covering asset positioning, phasing, land-use considerations, development approach, and key commercial assumptions.
• Conduct market research, supply-and-demand analysis, benchmarking, pricing studies, and asset-class assessments to support project positioning and development decisions.
• Prepare and review feasibility studies, financial models, development cash flows, investment returns, and sensitivity analyses to assess project viability and key value drivers.
• Coordinate project concept development with Design, Projects, Commercial, Finance, and relevant functions, ensuring concepts remain aligned with approved business plans and market requirements.
• Identify and recommend value-enhancement and value-engineering opportunities that improve project viability without compromising approved quality, positioning, or development objectives.
• Coordinate consultant scopes, selection, appointment, briefing, and performance monitoring in collaboration with Procurement, Commercial, Design, and Projects teams.
• Monitor consultant deliverables against approved scope, programme, budget, and quality requirements and address or elevate performance issues where required.
• Coordinate internal and external approvals required for assigned projects, including relevant government, regulatory, and authority requirements.
• Monitor project development performance against approved scope, programme, budget, quality and business-plan objectives, highlighting material deviations and emerging risks.
• Coordinate mitigation actions for identified development, commercial, financial, programme, regulatory and delivery risks with relevant stakeholders.
• Act as the development coordination interface across Projects, Design, Land, Asset Management, Hospitality, Commercial, Finance and Business Excellence.
• Coordinate development-related requirements with clients, developers, operators, partners, investors, funds and other external stakeholders.
• Ensure appropriate consideration of regulatory compliance, quality, safety, sustainability and operational requirements throughout the remaining development process.
• Prepare management reports, development updates, business cases and recommendations to support project reviews and decision-making.

KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Competency

Description

Proficiency Level

Real Estate Development Strategy & Business Planning

Develop project strategies, business plans, phasing, positioning and development approaches

Advanced

Market & Feasibility Analysis

Evaluate market conditions, demand, pricing benchmarking and development potential

Advanced

Assess cash flows, project returns, sensitivities, viability and financial assumptions

Advanced

Development Cost & Budget Analysis

Review development budgets, cost assumptions, and financial implications

Advanced

Identify project risks and coordinate appropriate mitigation actions

Advanced

Concept & Development Coordination

Coordinate project concepts, development requirements and multidisciplinary interfaces

Advanced

Support consultant scopes, appointments, deliverables and performance

Intermediate

Contract & Commercial Administration

Support monitoring of consultant obligations, variations, and contractual requirements

Intermediate

Project Delivery Coordination

Monitor development objectives, delivery interfaces and key project issues

Intermediate

Apply knowledge of relevant UAE development regulations and approval processes

Advanced

Development Analytics & Reporting

Use financial models, Excel, Power BI and reporting tools to analyse and communicate project performance

Advanced

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:
Director of Real Estate Development, Projects, Design, Land, Asset Management, Hospitality, Commercial, Finance and Legal, Procurement and Business Excellence and Project Management

External:
Government and regulatory authorities, consultants, specialist advisors, developers, partners, investors, and other stakeholders and funds

WORK SETTING & DECISION AUTHORITY

Operates across multiple development projects and asset classes involving commercial technical regulatory and stakeholder consideration.

Communicates day-to-day activities and management decisions within approved business plans, budgets and delegated authority. Advises development options and escalates material changes to Director of Real Estate Development.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepares and monitors project feasibility studies, financial models, development budgets, cash flows and investment returns for assigned projects. Provides financial analyses and value-enhancement recommendations.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications and Experience (Essential):

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in real estate development, development management, or a related field.
• Experience across key stages of the development lifecycle, including feasibility, concept development, design, approvals, and delivery.
• Good knowledge of UAE real estate development practices, market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and approval processes.
• Strong capability in feasibility assessment, financial modelling, market analysis, project budgeting, and commercial evaluation.
• Strong analytical, planning, stakeholder-management, problem-solving, presentation and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and relevant reporting and analytical tools.
• Master’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Development, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Experience with a UAE-based real estate developer or development-management organization.
• Exposure to residential, commercial, hospitality, or mixed-use developments.
• Working knowledge of Power BI and development reporting tools.