VP Development (Residential)

MRG Global; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

MRG Global is seeking a Vice President, Residential Development to lead the full lifecycle of large-scale master-planned communities in Saudi Arabia, from visioning and feasibility through masterplanning, approvals, sales launches, design, infrastructure, development delivery and handover.

Based in Riyadh, the role requires deep Saudi market experience, strong regulatory knowledge of WAFI framework, and the ability to coordinate across investment, design, finance, legal, sales, marketing and

Qualifications

• Recent hands-on experience developing residential or mixed-use projects in Saudi Arabia.
• Direct working knowledge of WAFI and Saudi regulatory framework for off-plan residential development and sales.
• Experience taking Saudi residential developments through approvals and regulatory processes.
• Strong knowledge of the Saudi real estate market, local development practices, authorities and customer dynamics.
• Significant experience leading large-scale master-planned or community developments.
• Genuine end-to-end development experience, not solely delivery- or design-focused.
• A degree in real estate, urban planning, engineering or a related discipline; postgraduate qualifications advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the visioning, feasibility and masterplanning of major residential developments.
• Own projects from land due diligence through to delivery and handover.
• Develop and challenge project business cases, financial models, phasing strategies and returns.
• Lead development processes required to bring residential projects to market in Saudi Arabia.
• Navigate regulatory requirements under the Saudi framework including licensing, sales launches and escrow.
• Coordinate with investment, design, finance, legal, sales, marketing and operations teams.
• Drive permitting, regulatory approvals and infrastructure coordination.
• Ensure developments respond to local customer demand and deliver strong propositions.

Skills

Residential development

Master planning

Regulatory knowledge

Financial modelling

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Real estate degree

Urban planning / Eng related

Job description

MRG Global is working confidentially with an international real estate developer on the appointment of a Vice President, Residential Development to support the growth of its Saudi Arabian development platform.

This is a senior development leadership position with responsibility for the full lifecycle of large-scale, master-planned communities across a significant residential portfolio

The VP will take projects from early-stage visioning, land and feasibility analysis through masterplanning, approvals, sales launch, design, infrastructure, development delivery and handover. The role requires a strong understanding of how residential communities are conceived, commercialised and delivered specifically within the Saudi Arabian market.

The Role

• Lead the visioning, feasibility and masterplanning of major residential developments
• Take ownership of projects across the full development lifecycle, from land due diligence and concept development through to delivery and handover
• Develop and challenge project business cases, financial models, phasing strategies and investment returns
• Lead the development process required to bring residential projects to market in Saudi Arabia
• Navigate Saudi regulatory requirements governing real estate development and off-plan residential sales
• Work within the WAFI regulatory framework, including the requirements affecting project licensing, sales launch, escrow arrangements and delivery
• Coordinate closely with investment, design, finance, legal, sales, marketing and operations teams
• Drive permitting, regulatory approvals and infrastructure coordination
• Ensure developments respond to local customer demand and deliver strong residential and community propositions

Candidate Profile

• This appointment requires an experienced Saudi Arabia-based or recently Saudi Arabia-based development professional with a strong track record in large-scale residential and mixed-use communities.
• Recent, relevant development experience in Saudi Arabia is essential. Candidates whose experience is principally in the UAE or other regional markets without recent Saudi development exposure will not be considered.

Candidates must bring:

• Recent hands-on experience developing residential or mixed-use projects in Saudi Arabia
• Direct working knowledge of WAFI and the Saudi regulatory framework governing off-plan residential development and sales
• Experience taking Saudi residential developments through the approvals and regulatory processes required to reach market
• Strong knowledge of the Saudi real estate market, including local development practices, authorities, regulatory constraints and customer dynamics
• Significant experience leading large-scale master-planned or community developments
• Genuine end-to-end development experience, rather than a background focused solely on project delivery, construction or design management
• A degree in real estate, urban planning, engineering or a related discipline; relevant postgraduate qualifications would be advantageous

This role would particularly suit someone currently operating at Executive Director, Vice President or equivalent level within a major Saudi master developer, residential developer or integrated mixed-use development business.

The position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and offers the opportunity to play a senior role in the establishment and delivery of a significant new development platform.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Matt Donovan at MRG Global.