Lead, Development Management

UEM Sunrise Berhad; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

UEM Sunrise Berhad is seeking a strategic Project Owner within the Development Division to define the blueprint, budget, and master planning for complex, high-density Integrated/High‑Rise projects, ensuring viability and all statutory approvals before handover.

This role acts as the Head of Development's primary representative, driving the project from conception through tender and handover to the downstream Project Division for execution, while coordinating with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Legal

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Property Development, Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Architecture or Construction Management.
• 16+ years in the property/real estate industry with 15 years in upstream master planning, design integration, statutory compliance, and tender management for Integrated/High-Rise and Mixed-Use developments.
• Exceptional leadership focused on strategic planning and governance.
• Strong ability to plan, organize, and control project scope and budgets.
• Excellent communication to convey complex regulatory requirements and strategy.

Responsibilities

• Define strategic master feasibility, budgeting, and cash flow to optimize GDV and profitability hurdles.
• Oversee design development and vertical integration with M&E and other critical systems.
• Secure statutory approvals (DO, BP, Strata) and manage associated documentation.
• Coordinate tender management, procurement strategy, and evaluation with cross-functional teams.
• Lead upstream development team and liaise with downstream divisions, Sales, Finance and Legal.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Governance

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Property Development, Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Architecture or Construction Management

Job description

This role is responsible to act as the strategic Project Owner within the Development Division, responsible for defining the blueprint, budget, and comprehensive strategic planning for complex, high-density, and vertical Integrated/High-Rise projects. This upstream role ensures that projects are commercially viable, fully documented with a focus on design integration (M&E/Architectural), and possess all necessary statutory and strata approvals before being handed over to the downstream Project Division for physical construction and delivery. The role also acts as the Head of Development's primary representative, driving the project from conception through the crucial tender and handover stages to the Project Division for implementation and delivery.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Planning, Master Feasibility & Financial Control

• Development Master Feasibility Study and Cash Flow: Lead and own the Development Master Feasibility Study, ensuring all product definitions (e.g., residential/commercial/retail mix, unit sizes, pricing strategy derived in collaboration with Sales & Marketing) optimize Gross Development Value (GDV) and meet targeted profitability hurdles (IRR/ROI). Develop, control, and monitor the overall Development Budget and critical project cash flow projections.
• Design & Vertical Programme Oversight: Oversee the overall vertical development programme, defining critical path items such as deep excavation, basement construction, and façade completion schedules. Ensure the high-rise design and phasing strategy optimizes construction efficiency and aligns with financial forecasts.
• Statutory & Strata Compliance Strategy: Manage the strategy and execution for securing all required statutory approvals, with a specific focus on complex vertical approvals like Development Orders (DO) for density, Building Plans (BP) for high-rise structures, and early planning for Strata Title Act compliance, including accessory parcel definitions.

Design, Tender & Technical Control (The Plan & Documentation)

• Site & Utility Coordination: Coordinate complex site-specific technical challenges, including utilities relocation, traffic management during construction, and deep basement excavation planning. Guide the submission and approval process for all specialized utility connections (e.g., TNB substation placement, high-volume water supply).
• Design Development and Vertical Integration: Lead the design development phase, ensuring seamless technical integration between architectural, structural, and critical Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) systems. Drive value engineering exercises focused on complex elements (e.g., facade, M&E services, vertical transportation) to optimize costs while maintaining high-rise technical performance.
• Land & Compliance Documentation: Direct and coordinate all land administration processes related to urban sites (e.g., premium payments, land title conversion) and finalize documentation required for the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) submission strategy.
• Project Documentation Finalisation: Oversee the completion and sign-off of all final tender drawings and documentations, ensuring all technical specifications and contracts are robust, error-free, and aligned with the approved cost plan and compliance requirements.
• Tender Management and Procurement Strategy: Oversee the full tender management process, documentation and adherence to the Procurement Plan in collaboration with the Project Team and Cost & Contract Team. Lead the Technical Evaluation of bids, ensuring design compliance. Coordinate with the Procurement Division, which leads the Commercial Evaluation, contract negotiation, and the preparation of the final recommendation for the appointment of main contractors and major sub-contracts, effectively locking in project costs.

Team and Stakeholder Management

• Leadership & Mentorship: Effectively manage the upstream Development team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment focused on intricate planning and statutory approvals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the central communication point between Development (Upstream) and Project/Construction (Downstream) Divisions, Cost & Contract, as well as Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Finance and Legal, ensuring seamless transition and clear instruction delivery at the handover stage.
• Reporting & Governance: Effectively communicate project updates, progress, and financial viability reports to the Head of Development and Senior Leadership Team.

Risk and Compliance Management

• Risk Mitigation: Identify and analyse potential risks and obstacles related to site complexity, regulatory delays, M&E design conflicts, strata title issues, and cost escalation prior to construction. Develop and implement contingency plans to address and mitigate risks promptly.
• Compliance Oversight: Ensure strict adherence to all relevant Malaysian property laws, including the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act (HDA), Strata Titles Act, and local council building regulations, across all strategic and documentation phases.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & TECHNICAL COMPETENCES

• Bachelor's degree in Property Development, Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Design, or Construction Management is preferred.
• More than 16 years of progressive experience in the property/real estate industry.
• Minimum 15 years in property development with specific, demonstrable experience in upstream master planning, design integration, statutory compliance, and tender management for Integrated/High-Rise and Mixed-Use developments in urban settings.
• Exceptional leadership qualities to motivate and guide teams towards strategic success. Must be a decisive leader focused on strategic planning and governance.
• Proficient in planning, organising, and controlling project scope, ensuring adherence to documentation timelines and budgets.
• Strong proficiency in interpreting financial statements and conducting feasibility analysis. Must leverage technical expertise to guide consultants and approve optimal design solutions.
• Excellent communication skills to convey complex strategic plans and regulatory requirements. Strong problem-solving skills to address planning and approval challenges.