Senior Development Director - Hospitality

The Management Recruitment Group (MRG); Riyadh; On-site; SAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Management Recruitment Group (MRG) has been engaged to appoint a Senior Director, Hospitality Development for a major destination developer in Saudi Arabia. The role spans end-to-end asset development from early strategy through to operational readiness.

The successful candidate will lead asset strategy, feasibility, design development and operator engagement, ensuring each hotel is commercially robust and aligned with the destination proposition. GCC experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience developing hotel assets from feasibility through delivery and handover.
• Ability to lead complex projects across development lifecycle.
• Experience working with hotel operators and consultants.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of hospitality assets from feasibility to operational readiness.
• Shape asset strategy, positioning, business plans and briefs.
• Define hotel proposition: room mix, amenities, guest experience and operational needs.
• Collaborate with hotel operators, consultants, architects and delivery teams.
• Manage operator interfaces to align technical/operational requirements with commercial objectives.

Skills

Hospitality asset development

End-to-end project delivery

Operator engagement

Strategic planning

Autonomy and accountability

Education

Degree in real estate, architecture, engineering, hospitality or related discipline

Job description

MRG has been retained by a major Saudi Arabian destination developer to appoint a Senior Director, Hospitality Development.

The organisation is developing a significant portfolio of hospitality assets within a wider mixed-use destination. With a number of hotel projects advancing through development and towards delivery, this appointment will take responsibility for the end-to-end development of individual hospitality assets from early strategy through to operational readiness.

The Senior Director will lead asset strategy, feasibility, design development, delivery coordination and operator engagement, ensuring each hotel is commercially robust, operationally viable and aligned with the wider destination proposition.

This role requires someone who understands hospitality development in practical detail. The successful candidate should be comfortable moving between development strategy, design, commercial decisions, operator requirements and delivery interfaces, while maintaining clear ownership of the asset throughout its lifecycle.

The Role

The Senior Director will:

• Lead the development of hospitality assets from early-stage briefing and feasibility through design, construction, handover and operational readiness.
• Shape asset strategy, positioning, business plans and development briefs.
• Define key aspects of the hotel proposition, including room mix, amenities, guest experience and operational requirements.
• Work closely with hotel operators, consultants, architects, designers, commercial teams and delivery stakeholders throughout the development process.
• Manage key operator interfaces, ensuring technical and operational requirements are incorporated appropriately without compromising commercial or development objectives.

Candidate Profile

We are interested in speaking with senior development professionals who can demonstrate:

• Strong experience developing hotel or hospitality assets.
• A track record of taking complex projects through the full development lifecycle, from feasibility and concept through delivery, handover and operational readiness.
• Direct experience working with hotel operators, including technical services, operator onboarding or ongoing development alignment.
• The ability to lead individual assets with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Experience within large mixed-use, destination, resort or masterplanned developments would be particularly relevant.
• GCC experience is preferred, although candidates with strong international hospitality development experience will also be considered.
• A relevant degree in real estate, architecture, engineering, hospitality or a related discipline.

The role will suit an experienced hospitality development professional who wants direct ownership of complex hotel assets within a major destination development programme in Saudi Arabia.