Senior Director - Development

This is a unique opportunity to shape a major residential portfolio at a formative stage, not just manage what has already been decided. The role offers real influence over product, strategy and development direction, within a business that is building something long-term and high-profile. It is a senior client-side development role focused on villas and townhouses. You will lead projects through the critical early and mid development stages, from development brief, feasibility and product definition through design management, approvals, procurement strategy and delivery readiness. This is for you if a true developer mindset: commercially minded, comfortable challenging assumptions, and able to balance product, market, design, cost and program. You will work closely with internal teams and external consultants and you will need the credibility and confidence to represent the business effectively in complex stakeholder environments. (!) This is not a pure project management, pure design or construction delivery role. About Qiddiya Residential Qiddiya’s Residential Business Unit is creating new neighborhoods within one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious destination-led developments. The focus is not simply to build housing, but to shape high-quality, market-relevant communities that support a long-term residential vision. Within that context, the Villas & Townhouses team is a key part of the product strategy. We are looking for a senior development leader who can help shape, challenge and drive the development of this portfolio from the front end; ensuring projects are commercially sound, well positioned and set up for successful delivery. Key responsibilities - Lead a portfolio of development projects from feasibility through delivery readiness - Define product strategy, unit mix, phasing and development briefs - Drive feasibility, business planning and commercial optimisation - Manage design, consultants, approvals and procurement strategy - Represent the business in key stakeholder discussions - Improve development processes across the portfolio Requirements - Strong client-side residential development experience - Proven capability across feasibility, product definition, design management and commercial decision-making - A true developer mindset, not just project management - Ability to balance product, design, cost, programme and profitability - Strong stakeholder management across consultants, authorities and senior leadership - Middle East experience preferred - Developer backgrounds preferred over pure consultancy, contractor or PMC - Relevant degree required; real estate or commercial qualifications are a plus