Development Manager

Mackenzie Jones Middle East; Ras Al Khaimah; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackenzie Jones Middle East is seeking a Development Manager in Ras Al Khaimah to lead developments from ideation to handover while upholding governance and quality standards. You will direct feasibility, design management, procurement coordination and delivery oversight, collaborating with the Design and Delivery department and owning RIBA Stages.

The role requires 10–12 years in real estate development or master planning, with preference for experience in large-scale mixed-use environments and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, Engineering, Real Estate Development, Project Management, Business Management, or related built-environment discipline.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Professional membership with RIBA, RICS, APM or PMP preferred.
• 10–12 years' experience in real estate development, project management, or master planning, including feasibility through handover.
• Experience in master developer or large-scale mixed-use real estate environment preferred.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and external consultants across RIBA Stages.
• Experience supporting business transformation initiatives to improve project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead developments end-to-end from ideation through concept to handover, ensuring governance and quality standards at every stage.
• Assist project teams in defining scope, budget, programme and success criteria during initiation.
• Support feasibility studies and option appraisals aligned with Marjan's objectives.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across planning, design, finance, legal, sales and stakeholders during concept and pre-construction.
• Navigate governance requirements, stage-gate submissions and stakeholder inputs to progress approvals.
• Prepare development papers, updates and documentation for management review.

Education

Bachelor's degree in architecture/Engineering/Real Estate Development/Project Management/Business Management

Master's degree preferred

Tools

RIBA/RICS/APM/PMP membership preferred

Job description

The Development Manager leads the developments end-to-end, from initial ideation through concept design to handover, ensuring feasibility, governance and quality standards are upheld at every stage. The role directs project initiation, coordination, design management, procurement coordination and delivery oversight, working closely with the Design and Delivery department while retaining ownership of RIBA Stages within the Development department.

Responsibilities

• Assist project teams in establishing and documenting project scope, budget, programme and success criteria during project initiation, while supporting the preparation of approvals required to progress developments from ideation into concept.
• Support and facilitate feasibility studies and option appraisals for prospective developments, assisting in the assessment of technical, commercial and market viability against Marjan's strategic objectives.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between planning, design, finance, legal, sales and other stakeholders throughout the concept and pre-construction phases.
• Support project teams in navigating governance requirements, preparing stage-gate submissions, coordinating stakeholder input and addressing challenges that may impact approvals or project progress.
• Contribute to the preparation of development papers, project updates and supporting documentation for management review and decision-making.

Qualifications

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, Engineering, Real Estate Development, Project Management, Business Management, or a related built-environment discipline.
• Master's degree in a related discipline is preferred.

Professional Qualifications

• Professional membership with a recognised body such as RIBA, RICS, APM or PMP is preferred.

Experience Required

• Minimum 10–12 years' experience in real estate development, project management, or master planning, including managing developments from feasibility through to handover.
• Previous experience within a master developer or large-scale mixed-use real estate environment is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and external consultants across RIBA Stages.
• Experience supporting business transformation initiatives, process optimisation, or capability development programmes that improve project delivery performance and operational effectiveness