Development & Projects Director - Commercial Real Estate

Black & Grey HR is partnering with a Commercial Real Estate company based out of Abu Dhabi, UAE. our client is seeking to hire an experienced Development & Projects Director to oversee all design and construction work-streams for both new developments and existing asset enhancements. Lead the Development & Projects department to manage end-to-end project activities, establishing best-in-class benchmarks for quality, efficiency, and service delivery.

Ensure that every project aligns with the organization’s strategic goals, brand identity, and operational specifications.

• Serve as a key member of the executive management team, actively contributing to the organization’s vision, strategy, and long-term objectives to maximize short-, medium-, and long-term profitability.
• Partner with the CEO to formulate and direct the departmental strategy, ensuring full alignment with the corporate mission and objectives.
• Translate overall business strategy into annual operational plans and targets for the department, monitoring performance to ensure goals are met.

• Lead internal design specialists and external consultants to embed strategic vision and operational flexibility into facility designs, ensuring all projects reflect the brand’s identity and functional needs.
• Review and validate design plans and blueprints, enforcing compliance with regulatory standards and internal specifications to maintain brand consistency across all assets.
• Facilitate collaborative workshops to translate operational, customer-service, and market insights into the design and construction process, ensuring the relevance and functionality of new or refurbished properties.

• Set clear project timelines, budgetary constraints, and quality expectations, monitoring contractor performance to ensure delivery in accordance with organizational standards.
• Enforce compliance with local laws, international standards, and industry best practices through regular audits and reviews, upholding integrity across all project activities.
• Implement structured performance-review processes for project partners to drive a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement in asset delivery.

• Direct the preparation and consolidation of the departmental budget, monitoring financial performance against projections to identify risks, control costs, and capitalize on opportunities for improved efficiency.

• Provide strategic leadership to the department, setting individual objectives, managing performance, and motivating the team to maximize their contribution.
• Collaborate with fellow management colleagues to align efforts across the organization, ensuring cohesive progress toward shared strategic goals.
• Mentor, coach, and challenge direct reports, fostering a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and career development.

• Ensure all activities and team outputs are conducted in the best interests of the organization.
• Proactively support cross-functional colleagues in achieving their objectives, contributing to a collaborative and integrated working culture.
• Anticipate risks and identify wider opportunities and threats, using data-driven insights to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Contribute to business planning and reporting processes, leveraging agreed systems to enhance efficiency and transparency.

• Provide technical leadership and direction to the Development & Projects team, encouraging controlled innovation in processes, technology, and ways of working.
• Drive the adoption of Agile and Lean methodologies across the organization to improve responsiveness and operational efficiency.
• Empower and model a positive, resilient mindset for the team, maintaining confidence in the long-term outlook of the property portfolio despite market challenges.
• Set clear expectations, delegate effectively, and provide constructive feedback to maximize team performance and innovation.
• Serve as a member of the CEO’s weekly management committee, alongside leaders from Marketing, Leasing, Fit-out, Operations, and Facilities Management.
• Play an integral role in the design and redesign of retail centres, ensuring new units and spaces are based on actual market demand and leasability.
• Champion organizational values and behaviours internally and externally, contributing to leadership boards and staying informed about internal and external developments.
• Support the implementation of the property management system as required.

• Direct the development and implementation of departmental policies, systems, procedures, and controls to ensure all legislative and procedural requirements are met while delivering consistent, cost-effective, high-quality service.
• Lead change management…