Development Director - Luxury Hospitality

My client a leading real estate development company in Dubai is seeking an accomplished Development Director to lead the end-to-end development and delivery of a portfolio of high-profile luxury hotel projects. The successful candidate will take ownership of the full development lifecycle, from initial concept, feasibility and brand strategy through design development, procurement, construction, completion and handover. This is a senior leadership role requiring exceptional commercial acumen, development expertise and the ability to manage multiple complex hospitality projects simultaneously. Key Responsibilities Development Leadership • Lead and oversee the full development lifecycle of a portfolio of luxury hotel and hospitality projects. • Drive projects from initial concept and feasibility through design, approvals, procurement, construction, completion and operational handover. • Establish and implement development strategies, programmes and delivery plans aligned with the company's wider business objectives. • Ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, design, luxury positioning and commercial performance. Project & Design Management • Lead multidisciplinary teams including architects, interior designers, engineers, project managers, cost consultants and specialist hospitality advisors. • Oversee the design development process, ensuring alignment between the development vision, hotel brand requirements, operational functionality and commercial objectives. • Manage project programmes and ensure key milestones are achieved across the portfolio. • Identify and resolve critical development, design and delivery issues proactively. Commercial & Financial Management • Lead feasibility assessments, development appraisals, budgets and financial modelling in conjunction with internal finance and commercial teams. • Monitor project costs, budgets, cash flow and financial performance throughout the development lifecycle. • Identify opportunities to optimise development value while maintaining the required luxury standards and guest experience. • Manage development risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies. Stakeholder & Partner Management • Act as a senior point of contact for hotel operators, international luxury brands, investors, consultants, contractors and other key stakeholders. • Lead negotiations and manage relationships with hospitality operators and brand partners. • Work closely with internal leadership and investment teams to provide regular reporting on project progress, risks, financial performance and key strategic decisions. • Represent the company at senior-level meetings with external partners and government authorities where required. Delivery & Governance • Establish robust governance, reporting and decision-making processes across the development portfolio. • Ensure projects comply with relevant UAE regulations, planning requirements, building codes and development approvals. • Monitor construction and delivery performance, ensuring projects remain on programme and within approved budgets. • Lead the transition from development and construction through to completion, handover and operational readiness. Candidate Profile The successful candidate will be a highly experienced real estate development professional with a strong track record in delivering complex, high-value luxury hospitality or mixed-use developments. Essential Experience & Qualifications • Significant experience in real estate development, with a substantial portion of this experience focused on luxury hotels and hospitality developments. • Demonstrable experience managing projects through the full development lifecycle, from concept and feasibility through to completion and handover. • Experience managing multiple large-scale and complex development projects simultaneously. • Strong understanding of hospitality development requirements, including hotel operator relationships, brand standards, design coordination and operational considerations. • Excellent commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing development budgets, feasibility studies and project financial performance. • Strong leadership experience managing multidisciplinary internal and external project teams. • Relevant degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or a related discipline. Regional Experience • Previous development experience in the UAE is highly preferred. • Candidates with strong experience across other GCC markets will also be considered. • A thorough understanding of the regional development environment, regulatory landscape and key market stakeholders would be advantageous. Skills & Attributes • Strategic and commercially driven, with the ability to balance design excellence with financial performance and delivery requirements. • Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills. • Highly organised, with strong programme and portfolio management capabilities. • Confident operating at executive and board level. • Excellent communication and negotiation skills. • Ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced and entrepreneurial development environment. • Arabic language skills would be beneficial but are not essential. Show more Show less

Essential Experience & Qualifications: Significant experience in real estate development, with a substantial portion of this experience focused on luxury hotels and hospitality developments. Demonstrable experience managing projects through the full development lifecycle, from concept and feasibility through to completion and handover. Experience managing multiple large-scale and complex development projects simultaneously. Strong understanding of hospitality development requirements, including hotel operator relationships, brand standards, design coordination and operational considerations. Excellent commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing development budgets, feasibility studies and project financial performance. Strong leadership experience managing multidisciplinary internal and external project teams. Relevant degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or a related discipline. Regional Experience: Previous development experience in the UAE is highly preferred; candidates with strong experience across other GCC markets will also be considered.

Development Leadership: Lead and oversee the full development lifecycle of a portfolio of luxury hotel and hospitality projects. Drive projects from initial concept and feasibility through design, approvals, procurement, construction, completion and operational handover. Establish and implement development strategies, programmes and delivery plans aligned with the company's wider business objectives. Ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, design, luxury positioning and commercial performance. Project & Design Management: Lead multidisciplinary teams including architects, interior designers, engineers, project managers, cost consultants and specialist hospitality advisors. Oversee the design development process, ensuring alignment between the development vision, hotel brand requirements, operational functionality and commercial objectives. Manage project programmes and ensure key milestones are achieved across the portfolio. Identify and resolve critical development, design and delivery issues proactively. Commercial & Financial Management: Lead feasibility assessments, development appraisals, budgets and financial modelling in conjunction with internal finance and commercial teams. Monitor project costs, budgets, cash flow and financial performance throughout the development lifecycle. Identify opportunities to optimise development value while maintaining the required luxury standards and guest experience. Manage development risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies. Stakeholder & Partner Management: Act as a senior point of contact for hotel operators, international luxury brands, investors, consultants, contractors and other key stakeholders. Lead negotiations and manage relationships with hospitality operators and brand partners. Work closely with internal leadership and investment teams to provide regular reporting on project progress, risks, financial performance and key strategic decisions. Represent the company at senior-level meetings with external partners and government authorities where required. Delivery & Governance: Establish robust governance, reporting and decision-making processes across the development portfolio. Ensure projects comply with relevant UAE regulations, planning requirements, building codes and development approvals. Monitor construction and delivery performance, ensuring projects remain on programme and within approved budgets. Lead the transition from development and construction through to completion, handover and operational readiness.