Director of Real Estate Development

MyndCrest Business Solutions; Benahavís; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

MyndCrest Business Solutions in Benahavís, Andalucía, Spain seeks a Director of Real Estate Development to lead luxury residential projects from site identification to handover, ensuring quality and profitability.

The role requires coordinating with international and local architects, engineers and authorities, managing budgets, schedules and risk, and guiding a multi-disciplinary team to achieve milestones and premium outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from a recognised university.
• Master's in Architecture, Construction Management, Real Estate Development or Project Management will be an advantage.
• PMP / PRINCE2 certification is preferred.
• RICS or equivalent project/construction management credentials are preferred.
• Relevant professional registration or eligibility to practise in Spain, where required.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development lifecycle of luxury residential projects.
• Translate briefs and objectives into actionable execution strategies.
• Develop scopes, plans, budgets, timelines and milestones.
• Evaluate feasibility, constraints, design options and methods.
• Create master schedules covering design, approvals, procurement, construction and handover.
• Identify risks, dependencies and mitigation strategies.
• Align execution with financial returns and brand positioning.
• Lead architectural design from concept to construction documentation.
• Coordinate with international and local architects and engineers.
• Ensure design aligns with luxury positioning and feasibility.
• Review drawings, specs, materials and submissions.
• Drive value engineering while maintaining quality.
• Maintain design intent through construction.

Skills

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Budgeting & cost control

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment & governance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture

Master's in Architecture/Construction/Real Estate Development

PMP / PRINCE2

RICS / equivalent credentials

Registration to practise in Spain

Job description

The Director of Real Estate Development is a full-time, on-site role based in the Community of Benahavi, Andalusia, Spain. This position oversees the end-to-end development lifecycle, including site identification, feasibility analysis, due diligence, budgeting, and project execution for real estate initiatives. The director will lead planning and approval processes, coordinate with internal stakeholders and external partners, and manage timelines and resources to ensure projects meet financial, regulatory, and quality standards. Daily responsibilities include monitoring market trends, building strategic partnerships, preparing development proposals, and reporting on project performance and risks to senior leadership. The role also involves mentoring project teams, establishing best practices for development processes, and supporting long-term portfolio and expansion strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development lifecycle of luxury residential projects.
• Translate development briefs and investment objectives into actionable project execution strategies.
• Establish project scope, development plans, budgets, timelines and delivery milestones.
• Evaluate project feasibility, development constraints, design options and construction methodologies.
• Develop integrated project master schedules covering design, approvals, procurement, construction and handover.
• Identify project risks, dependencies and mitigation strategies.
• Align development execution with business objectives, financial returns and brand positioning.
• Support the identification and evaluation of new development opportunities, land parcels and project expansion possibilities.
• Lead architectural design development from concept through detailed design and construction documentation.
• Coordinate with international architects, local Spanish architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants, landscape designers and interior designers.
• Ensure architectural design aligns with luxury positioning, functionality, aesthetics and commercial feasibility.
• Review and approve design drawings, specifications, material selections, mock-ups and technical submissions.
• Drive design optimisation, value engineering and buildability reviews without compromising quality.
• Ensure integration of architecture, structure, MEP, façade, landscape, interiors and specialist systems.
• Manage design changes and ensure appropriate impact assessments on cost, schedule and quality.
• Maintain design intent throughout the construction phase.

3. Project Execution & Construction Management

• Lead project execution across all phases of construction and development.
• Oversee general contractors, subcontractors, consultants and specialist vendors.
• Monitor construction progress against approved schedules, budgets and project milestones.
• Ensure effective coordination between design teams, site teams and project stakeholders.
• Drive resolution of technical issues, construction bottlenecks and execution challenges.
• Ensure appropriate deployment of manpower, materials, equipment and project resources.
• Conduct regular site inspections, progress reviews and project performance assessments.
• Establish robust project governance, reporting systems and escalation mechanisms.
• Ensure timely completion, commissioning and handover of projects.

4. Planning, Approvals & Regulatory Compliance

• Coordinate with Spanish architects, technical consultants and local authorities for planning and construction approvals.
• Oversee compliance with applicable Spanish building regulations, municipal planning requirements and technical standards.
• Coordinate licensing, building permits, environmental requirements and statutory inspections.
• Ensure appropriate integration of local regulatory requirements into project design and execution.
• Monitor compliance with applicable health, safety, environmental and construction regulations.
• Work closely with legal, technical and external advisory teams to address regulatory risks.

5. Commercial, Budget & Cost Management

• Develop and monitor project budgets, cost plans and cash flow requirements.
• Oversee tendering, contractor selection, contract negotiations and procurement strategies.
• Review contractor claims, variations, change orders and payment recommendations.
• Drive cost optimisation and value engineering initiatives.
• Identify commercial risks, potential cost overruns and schedule-related financial exposure.
• Ensure commercial decisions are aligned with project quality and investment objectives.
• Provide periodic financial and project performance reports to senior management.

6. Luxury Quality & Customer Experience

• Establish and maintain premium construction and finishing standards consistent with luxury real estate positioning.
• Oversee quality assurance and quality control processes.
• Review sample apartments, villa mock-ups, material boards and benchmark finishes.
• Drive defect prevention, snagging, rectification and quality closure.
• Coordinate with Sales, CRM and Customer Experience teams to ensure project delivery aligns with customer commitments.
• Ensure a seamless transition from construction completion to customer handover.

7. Stakeholder & Leadership Management

• Act as the primary project leadership interface with Group management and relevant Spanish stakeholders.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams comprising architects, engineers, project managers, consultants and contractors.
• Build and manage relationships with local development partners, contractors, consultants and authorities.
• Conduct structured project review meetings and ensure accountability for deliverables.
• Develop a performance-driven project culture focused on speed, quality, ownership and collaboration.
• Provide clear, data-driven project updates, decision papers and risk assessments to senior leadership.
• Manage complex stakeholder expectations and resolve escalated issues.
• Establish project governance frameworks, approval mechanisms and reporting protocols.
• Monitor project KPIs covering schedule, cost, quality, safety and project readiness.
• Maintain risk registers and implement mitigation plans.
• Ensure timely escalation of critical project issues.
• Establish change management and document control processes.
• Drive transparency, accountability and e�ective decision-making across project teams.
• Ensure all project documentation, approvals, contracts and handover records are properly maintained.

Educational Qualification

• Mandatory:
• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture (B.Arch) from a recognised university.
• Master's in Architecture, Construction Management, Real Estate Development or Project
• Management will be an advantage.
• Preferred Certifications:
• PMP / PRINCE2
• RICS / equivalent project or construction management credentials
• Relevant professional registration or eligibility to practise in Spain, where required for the role.

Experience Requirements

• 15–20+ years of overall professional experience. At least 8–10 years in senior project leadership/project development roles.
• Significant experience in luxury residential, premium villas, branded residences, high-end apartments or mixed-use real estate developments.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects from design and planning through construction and final handover.
• Experience working with international architects, consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong exposure to project budgeting, contracts, procurement, construction planning and quality management.
• Experience in Spain's real estate market or other European markets will be highly preferred.

Geographic & Language Requirements

• Preferred candidates: Spanish professionals with strong knowledge of the local real estate market.
• Candidates must have valid legal authorisation to work in Spain.
• Fluency in Spanish is essential for effective engagement with local authorities, contractors and consultants.