Strategic Development Manager, Data Center Projects

Khazna Data Centers; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Khazna Data Centers seeks a Development Manager to drive strategic development across site origination, land coordination, permitting readiness, and pre-development activities for priority projects under the Special Projects function.

The role partners with the Senior Manager – Program Delivery and cross-functional teams to evaluate feasibility, manage interfaces, and guide governance while aligning with approved business and delivery requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Industrial Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field; Master’s degree is an advantage.
• 8–12 years of experience in real estate, infrastructure, industrial, or data centre development.
• Experience in UAE / GCC development environments, including permitting and land transactions.
• Experience supporting governance, business case development, and transition into delivery.
• Exposure to partnerships, co-development models, or transaction-led development is advantageous.
• Experience in data centres, mission-critical infrastructure, or complex built environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support progression of strategic development opportunities aligned with business priorities.
• Manage multiple development workstreams across site origination, land, permits, and pre-development activities.
• Track project status, milestones, risks, and dependencies; escalate issues affecting feasibility or readiness.
• Coordinate site origination activities with landowners, brokers, developers, and infrastructure providers.
• Support due diligence and commercial assessments for viability and attractiveness.
• Coordinate utility strategy, service provider engagement, permitting, and regulatory approvals.
• Ensure alignment across land, utilities, permitting, technical feasibility, and phasing assumptions.
• Monitor critical-path development activities and dependencies affecting progression.

Skills

Site origination

Land transactions

Permitting

Utility coordination

Pre-development

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Development planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Master’s degree (advantage)

Job description

Khazna Data Centers seeks a Development Manager to drive strategic development across site origination, land coordination, permitting readiness, and pre-development activities for priority projects under the Special Projects function.

The role partners with the Senior Manager – Program Delivery and cross-functional teams to evaluate feasibility, manage interfaces, and guide governance while aligning with approved business and delivery requirements.