General Manager, Development Management - Real Estate

Confidential Government; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Government seeks an accomplished Real Estate Development Director to shepherd a portfolio from concept through handover. You will shape strategy, business planning, and master planning, ensuring alignment with financial targets while directing cross-functional teams and coordinating with authorities and partners.

The role requires extensive experience in development leadership, risk governance, and executive communication to drive asset readiness and successful delivery within

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Real Estate Development, or Business Administration.
• Master’s degree (MBA / Master of Real Estate Development) or professional certifications (MRICS, PMP) are preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive real estate development experience, with at least 5–7 years in a senior executive leadership capacity (General Manager, Development Director, or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Lead portfolio development across the full lifecycle from concept to handover.
• Drive development strategy, business planning, and alignment with financial targets.
• Oversee master planning, public realm creation, and stakeholder coordination.
• Manage relationships with authorities, consultants, and investors for timely delivery.
• Lead risk governance, change management, and contract administration.
• Mentor teams and drive cross-functional collaboration for asset readiness.

Skills

Development Strategy

Strategic Planning

Business Planning

Program Management

Land Use Planning

Assessment Strategies

Master Planning

Public Realm

CAD/Computer-Aided Design

Project Delivery

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Business Development

Sales Enablement

Change Management

Risk Assessment

Executive Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Real Estate Development, or Business Administration

MBA / Master of Real Estate Development preferred

MRICS, PMP certifications preferred

Job description

Job Summary Lead and direct the real estate development portfolio across the entire lifecycle, from concept inception, land use planning, and financial modeling to design, pre-construction, execution, and handover. This role drives overall development strategy and business planning, aligns asset development with commercial and financial targets, oversees master planning and public realm creation, and manages relationships with authorities, consultants, and internal stakeholders to ensure project delivery within scope, budget, and schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Development Strategy & Business Planning:
• Lead portfolio development strategies and identify new real estate development opportunities aligned with corporate business plans.
• Oversee comprehensive feasibility studies, assessment strategies, and Highest and Best Use (HBU) / land use planning.
• Develop comprehensive business plans and oversee detailed financial modeling, project budgets, and key investment metrics including IRR, ROI, and NPV.
• Structure real estate transactions and collaborate with financial institutions and investors to optimize real estate financing structures.
• Development Lifecycle & Pre-Construction Management:
• Direct and coordinate all development phases including design, permitting, tendering, procurement, and execution in close collaboration with Project Management Offices (PMO).
• Review and approve Master Plans, architectural schemes, and interior architecture, ensuring integration with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) standards, sustainable design principles, and high-quality public realm spaces.
• Direct pre-construction activities, resource allocation, and program management to guarantee on-time, on-budget project delivery.
• Align development deliverables with marketing, sales, and asset management teams to drive unit absorption, sales targets, and successful asset operational readiness.
• Risk Governance & Change Management:
• Control project scope, manage financial and operational risks, and execute proactive risk assessment strategies.
• Lead change management processes to resolve schedule and cost variances swiftly while maintaining quality benchmarks.
• Make executive decisions to uphold strict project governance and cost controls.
• Stakeholder Management & Leadership:
• Spearhead high-stakes negotiations and contract administration with master planners, lead consultants, contractors, and development partners.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with municipal authorities, government ministries, and regulatory bodies to expedite statutory approvals and permits.
• Drive business development initiatives and cross-functional team leadership, mentoring high-performing teams and fostering operational excellence.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Strategy & Planning: Development Strategy, Strategic Planning, Business Planning, Program Management, Land Use Planning, Assessment Strategies.
• Design & Pre-Construction: Pre-Construction, Master Planning, Public Realm, Sustainable Design, Interior Architecture, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Project Delivery.
• Leadership & Operations: Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Negotiation, Business Development, Sales Enablement, Change Management, Risk Assessment, Executive Communication.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Real Estate Development, or Business Administration. A Master’s degree (MBA / Master of Real Estate Development) or professional certifications (MRICS, PMP) are preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 15 years of progressive real estate development experience, with at least 5–7 years in a senior executive leadership capacity (General Manager, Development Director, or equiv