Chief Development Officer

About the Role

Our client is a subsidiary of a larger conglomerate specializing in mixed-use real estate development in Saudi Arabia. They seek a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead the real estate development portfolio from strategy and investment planning through execution, commercialization, and delivery of projects. This executive will be accountable for aligning the company’s strategic goals with commercially viable development programs while ensuring adherence to quality, profitability, governance, and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement the Group’s real estate development strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives.
• Oversee all phases of the development lifecycle including feasibility studies, land acquisition, design, planning approvals, financing, construction, sales, leasing, and asset handover.
• Be accountable for the commercial, operational, and technical success of development projects.
• Assess and pursue new development, investment, and acquisition opportunities within the Saudi Arabian real estate sector.
• Maintain a robust pipeline of projects, strategic alliances, investors, and business opportunities.
• Translate the CEO’s strategic direction into actionable plans with clear priorities, timelines, and measurable milestones.
• Provide regular updates to the CEO and Board regarding project statuses, financial metrics, risks, opportunities, and KPIs.
• Develop and enforce effective operational frameworks, governance systems, and performance measurement tools within the development function.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams spanning development, construction, finance, legal, sales, marketing, and procurement.
• Ensure projects are completed within budget, timeframes, quality benchmarks, and commercial goals.
• Maintain vigilant oversight on financial performance, budgets, forecasts, cash flows, and key commercial indicators.
• Manage relationships with investors, financial institutions, government entities, consultants, contractors, brokers, and other stakeholders.
• Steer commercial negotiations and strategic partnerships to maximize project value and support growth ambitions.
• Monitor market dynamics, customer trends, economic conditions, regulatory changes, and competitor activities to anticipate risks and opportunities.
• Implant comprehensive risk management procedures throughout the portfolio.
• Assure development activities comply with Saudi regulations, planning requirements, governance standards, and internal policies.
• Foster a culture emphasizing accountability, high performance, innovation, and continuous enhancement.
• Adapt leadership approach in response to shifting business priorities or strategic changes.

Candidate Profile

• At least 10 years of experience in real estate development, including a minimum of 5 years in senior executive or leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success leading major real estate development projects from concept through execution and commercialization.
• In-depth experience in the Saudi real estate market is required.
• Thorough knowledge of Saudi regulatory, planning, construction, and investment landscapes.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholder ecosystems.
• Strong commercial insight with accountability for project or business profit and loss.

Educational Background & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Real Estate, Construction Management, or related fields.
• Postgraduate degrees such as an MBA are strongly preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar credentials are an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Comprehensive expertise in real estate development, construction management, financing, and project delivery.
• Robust financial and commercial management skills.
• Strategic thinker with a strong focus on execution and results.
• Outstanding leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Deep understanding of project feasibility, economics, budgeting, and financial controls.
• Ability to handle multiple complex projects and priorities concurrently.
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills enabling engagement with C-level executives and senior investors.
• Adaptable and thrives in fast-moving, entrepreneurial settings.
• Fluent in both Arabic and English languages.