Head of Real Estate

Smart Crowd Holdings Ltd; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading real estate crowdfunding platform in the UAE is seeking a Head of Real Estate. This role involves leading property strategy in Dubai’s residential market, overseeing portfolio optimization, acquisition strategies, and off-plan product development. The ideal candidate has over 8 years of experience in Dubai real estate, a strong track record in deal sourcing, and a deep understanding of the off-plan ecosystem. Competitive compensation and a vibrant work culture await.

Benefits

Competitive compensation + performance-based bonuses

Medical insurance

Paid leave and public holidays

Work with senior leadership

High-impact environment

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Dubai real estate spanning brokerage, development, and investment.
• Proven track record in sourcing, underwriting, and closing high-value residential deals.
• Deep understanding of the off-plan ecosystem and developer partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Own the performance and optimization of 150+ residential assets.
• Source and execute buy-to-hold and flip deals.
• Build and scale off-plan vertical from scratch.
• Recruit, train, and lead a team of high-performing brokers.
• Stay updated on Dubai’s residential market trends.

Skills

Experience in Dubai real estate

Sourcing and underwriting skills

Negotiation skills

Market intelligence

Education

RERA license

CFA or MBA

Job description

About SmartCrowd

SmartCrowd is MENA’s first DFSA-regulated real estate crowdfunding platform — recently acquired by Nawy, Africa’s leading PropTech. Our mission is simple but bold: democratize real estate investing in the region through fractional ownership. We currently manage 150+ units across Dubai, and we’re just getting started. With expansions into flip projects, short-term rentals, and off-plan sales, SmartCrowd is redefining how people invest, grow, and exit from real estate.

Job Summary

We’re looking for a dynamic Head of Real Estate to lead our end-to-end property strategy — focused exclusively on Dubai’s residential market. You’ll oversee everything from portfolio optimization to high-IRR flip sourcing to launching our off-plan vertical and in-house brokerage. This isn’t a desk job — it’s boots on the ground. You’ll scout opportunities, negotiate with developers, guide pricing models, and partner with marketing to bring inventory to life. If you’re data-driven, commercially savvy, and thrive in a high-growth startup environment, this is the role for you.

What You’ll Do

• Portfolio Oversight & Optimization: Own the performance of our 150+ residential asset portfolio. Analyze rent, occupancy, expenses, and asset appreciation to guide hold vs. exit decisions. Coordinate with property managers and short‑term rental teams to drive yield and reduce friction.
• Acquisition Strategy (Flip & Hold): Sourcing, underwriting, and execution of both buy‑to‑hold and flip deals. Focus on value‑add projects with 9–12 month cycles from purchase to resale. Partner with brokers, renovation vendors, and internal stakeholders to execute with speed and accuracy.
• Off‑Plan Product Development: Build and scale the group’s off‑plan vertical from scratch. Secure developer partnerships with the likes of Emaar, Ellington, Sobha, and more. Launch inventory with sharp positioning, investor‑ready pricing, and marketing alignment.
• Brokerage & Sales Enablement: Recruit, train, and lead a lean team of high‑performing brokers. Oversee licensing, compliance (RERA), and smooth sales operations. Partner with marketing, investor relations, and tech to streamline transactions.
• Market Intelligence & Research: Stay on top of Dubai’s residential market trends, pricing dynamics, and developer activity. Feed actionable insights into acquisition and product decisions. Build strategy briefs and financial models to support executive decision‑making.

What Success Looks Like

Portfolio returns are maximized through smart exits and value‑add strategies. A steady pipeline of flip and rental deals is driving platform growth. SmartCrowd becomes a go‑to player in real estate fractional sales. Our brokerage arm is lean, effective, and driving investor liquidity. Real estate becomes a strategic engine powering SmartCrowd’s next phase of growth.

Why Join SmartCrowd?

Take ownership of the most strategic function at the heart of our business. Work alongside founders, marketers, engineers, and growth leaders who want to win. Build a real estate engine that drives innovation and impact. Be part of the region’s most forward‑thinking proptech — with the backing of Nawy and a proven team.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation + performance‑based bonuses
• Medical insurance
• Paid leave and public holidays
• Work with senior leadership in a high‑autonomy, high‑impact environment
• A fast‑paced culture that rewards clarity, execution, and momentum

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in Dubai real estate — ideally spanning brokerage, development, and investment.
• Proven track record in sourcing, underwriting, and closing high‑value residential deals.
• Deep understanding of the off‑plan ecosystem and developer partnerships.
• RERA license preferred; CFA or MBA is a plus.
• Exposure to short‑term rental economics and yield optimization is a bonus.

Preferred Attributes

• Dealmaker energy — you know how to structure, negotiate, and close.
• Ground‑up builder — you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves and build teams, systems, and pipelines from scratch.
• Sharp business sense with a strong balance of risk and reward.
• Startup mindset — comfortable with ambiguity, pace, and high ownership.