Development Lead

KEO International Consultants; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Saudi Arabia seeks a Development Lead for their Project Management Division in Jeddah. The successful candidate will lead a team focused on major-scale mixed-use developments, ensuring projects comply with local regulations while optimizing stakeholder collaboration and communication. Ideal applicants will demonstrate extensive experience in similar projects and possess strong technical and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

On-demand counseling services

Hybrid working arrangements

Employee referral rewards

In-house learning courses

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in development or project management within construction or real estate.
• Experience with large-scale mixed-use developments including luxury hospitality and residential.
• Familiarity with Saudi Arabian building codes and regulations is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of 6 professionals.
• Oversee workload distribution and monitor developer activities.
• Ensure compliance with Saudi Arabian regulations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Overview

KEO is a creative enterprise where innovation is a way of life. We offer end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration through conceptualization to realization in planning, design, or project delivery in the built and natural environments. With over 60 years of experience, we have contributed to many of the world’s most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences, and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. We are also ranked by World Architecture as the 57th largest global architecture firm and the #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2023 WA100 Survey.

We invite you to join us. Why? When you join KEO, you’ll find a supportive environment that fosters your professional development through internal global mobility, career development, and a culture that supports health and well-being with on-demand counseling services and workplace clinics. You will also participate in community events such as sports days, fun runs, in-house sports teams, and beach clean-ups. In addition to your benefits, you will have access to policies including hybrid working arrangements, athletic and study sponsorships, employee referral rewards, mentoring, coaching, and extensive in-house learning courses.

Responsibilities

Our latest opportunity is for a talented Development Lead to join our Project Management Division in Jeddah, KSA. This role is responsible for leading the development monitoring and control team for a major-scale mixed-use development in Saudi Arabia. It requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills. You will ensure the successful execution of complex development plans, coordinating with internal and external parties to deliver world-class assets.

Key success factors include:

• Leading and managing a team of 6 development monitoring and control professionals.
• Overseeing workload distribution within the team.
• Leading the monitoring and control of third-party developer activities.
• Reviewing developer plans for alignment with feasibility, objectives, and regulations.
• Identifying risks and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Ensuring compliance with Saudi Arabian regulations and standards.
• Acting as the primary contact with third-party developers and fostering collaboration.
• Coordinating extensively with the Client's project team for clear communication and timely reporting.
• Engaging with external stakeholders, especially the Saudi Geological Survey, to meet geological and geotechnical requirements.
• Building strong relationships with project stakeholders for smooth communication and decision-making.
• Reviewing geotechnical plans with the Geo Engineer and assessing their implications.
• Providing expert advice on construction-related aspects of development plans.
• Participating in design reviews and technical discussions.
• Preparing and presenting reports on development progress, challenges, and risks.
• Maintaining accurate documentation related to development monitoring and control.
• Communicating complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

To succeed, you should have a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field, with a Master's preferred. You should have 15+ years of progressive experience in development or project management within construction or real estate development.

• Experience with large-scale mixed-use developments, including luxury hospitality, retail, and residential projects.
• Strong understanding of the full development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of construction processes, methodologies, and standards.
• Familiarity with Saudi Arabian building codes, regulations, and authorities such as SGS.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Fluency in English; Arabic proficiency is highly advantageous.

Experience on large-scale mixed-use projects including luxury hotels, transportation, and utility infrastructure is essential.

KEO’s core values include integrity, results, innovation, safety, and our people. We embrace diversity and recognize its contribution to client success worldwide.

We look forward to hearing how you can contribute to our award-winning team. All expressions of interest will be treated confidentially.