Development Manager

Cornerstone Global Partners MENA; Al Khobar; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading real estate development company in Saudi Arabia is looking for an experienced Development Manager to oversee the end-to-end development of high-end residential and mixed-use towers. The successful candidate will have at least 10-15 years of experience in real estate development, specifically with landmark high-rise projects of 40+ floors. Responsibilities include leading feasibility studies, managing financial models, coordinating with consultants, and ensuring project delivery aligns with quality standards. Ideal candidates should possess a degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or Real Estate.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–15 years’ experience in real estate development with a private developer or reputable international consultancy/developer.
• Demonstrable experience delivering multiple high-end towers of 40+ floors, from feasibility through to completion and handover.
• Strong background in luxury residential, branded residences, or mixed-use high-rise developments.
• Direct experience managing complex façade systems, vertical transportation, premium interiors, and high-rise building services.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or Real Estate (Master’s preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead the full development lifecycle from site acquisition support, feasibility studies, concept design, and business planning through to project delivery.
• Prepare and manage financial feasibility models, development budgets, cash flows, and investment appraisals.
• Define product positioning, unit mix, specifications, and luxury benchmarks aligned with market demand.
• Appoint and manage international and local consultants (architects, engineers, façade specialists, interior designers).
• Drive design excellence for high-rise towers, ensuring functionality, buildability, and premium quality standards.
• Oversee planning, zoning, and statutory approvals with relevant authorities.
• Work closely with project management and construction teams to ensure delivery in line with approved cost, quality, and programme.
• Manage design development through construction, resolving technical and commercial issues typical to super-tall/high-rise projects.
• Ensure value engineering without compromising design intent or luxury positioning.
• Coordinate with sales, leasing, asset management, and marketing teams during launch and delivery phases.
• Manage internal stakeholders, JV partners, lenders, and external authorities.
• Provide clear development reporting to senior management and ownership.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Development Manager to lead the end-to-end development of high-end residential and mixed-use towers (40+ floors).

This role requires a hands-on development professional with a proven track record of taking landmark high-rise projects from feasibility, design, and approvals through construction and final delivery. Candidates without direct experience delivering 40+ storey premium towers will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

Development & Feasibility

• Lead the full development lifecycle from site acquisition support, feasibility studies, concept design, and business planning through to project delivery and handover.
• Prepare and manage financial feasibility models, development budgets, cash flows, and investment appraisals.
• Define product positioning, unit mix, specifications, and luxury benchmarks aligned with market demand.

Design & Technical Management

• Appoint and manage international and local consultants (architects, engineers, façade specialists, interior designers).
• Drive design excellence for high-rise towers, ensuring functionality, buildability, and premium quality standards.
• Oversee planning, zoning, and statutory approvals with relevant authorities.

Delivery & Construction Oversight

• Work closely with project management and construction teams to ensure delivery in line with approved cost, quality, and programme.
• Manage design development through construction, resolving technical and commercial issues typical to super-tall / high-rise projects.
• Ensure value engineering without compromising design intent or luxury positioning.

Commercial & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate with sales, leasing, asset management, and marketing teams during launch and delivery phases.
• Manage internal stakeholders, JV partners, lenders, and external authorities.
• Provide clear development reporting to senior management and ownership.

Mandatory Experience & Qualifications

This is a strict requirement:

• Minimum 10–15 years’ experience in real estate development with a private developer or reputable international consultancy/developer.
• Demonstrable experience delivering multiple high-end towers of 40+ floors, from feasibility through to completion and handover.
• Strong background in luxury residential, branded residences, or mixed-use high-rise developments.
• Direct experience managing complex façade systems, vertical transportation, premium interiors, and high-rise building services.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or Real Estate (Master’s preferred).