Director, Development

Majid Al Futtaim Properties invites you to join us in our quest to create great moments for everyone, everyday We are the leading shopping mall, residential communities, and Hospitality pioneer across the Middle East, serving over 560 million visitors a year. For the past two decades, we have shaped the consumer landscape across the region, transforming the way people shop, live and play, while maintaining a strong sustainability track record and the largest mall in the world to attain LEED Gold EBOM Certification. We have over 40,000 team members in 15 international markets representing over 100 nationalities – all keeping the customer at the heart of everything we do. If you enjoy being BOLD, PASSIONATE and TOGETHER, then Majid Al Futtaim is the destination for you. Role Purpose Provide Development leadership for a range of Luxury Projects within a Major Residential Master Planned Development, from design and approvals stages through to the procurement and overall construction delivery of luxury villa communities to VIP customers. Lead and co-ordinate inputs of all key stakeholders including internal sales, marketing, property management, design and project management teams; plus, overview of various SME, consultants, suppliers and contractors' deliverables and overall performance. Lead internal and external project teams in successfully executing commercially viable development options to adapt to market conditions and trends. Lead high end luxury residential design through to finalization of detailed design through to tender and construction documentation. Sound understanding of the UAE authority master plan and residential approval processes to secure all approvals in a timely manner. Preparation of board papers and committee presentations, obtaining approvals for any amendment and updates to strategic plans, approved board budgets, programme, contract awards and major variations, to ensure the development process is aligned to policy and procedures in line with time, cost and quality parameters. Work closely with finance, strategy, project management, senior management and project teams, communities' facility management and other key internal stakeholders. Take a Client Ownership overview and governance role with respect to the performance. Support the evaluation of new business and new market opportunities as required. Role Details – Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities Assisting & coordinating with senior development leadership and other executives in the preparation, presentation and timely approval of all development plans, feasibilities, budgets, plus any amendments or updates to any such necessary governance approvals. Coordinating and assisting the broader team in the development and delivery of designs that align to the sales purchase agreements (SPA) and meet the initial concepts and vison of the luxury offerings that are part of the Launch Collateral and as approved by CEO at design stage gateways. Assist in securing any necessary gateway approvals by the CEO prior to proceeding further with the design or issuing if for construction. Ensuring the designs are detailed and coordinated to allow competitive bidding and buy out of the designs into the final delivered asset. Manage any VE that may be required to align prices to budget whilst maintaining the luxury requirements and customer expectations without delaying the project procurement and delivery or hand over. Successful delivery of the luxury project portfolio within the overall master planned community in strict accordance with Board Approved Request (BAR) that outlines the required financial performance (KPI's) and includes the business case feasibility and overall product vision. Ensure compliance to the Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the customers that specifies the date for completion and the selections of typology, finishes and inclusions, plus any upgrades and improvements. Successful delivery of the communities in alignment with the Master Development Programme inclusive of the overall communities' public amenities, landscaping, streetscape, all services and utilities and provisions, completely approved by all relevant authorities and instrumentalities. Interfacing with VIP Customers as required from time to time to manage the delivery journey addressing any concerns, requests, changes, updates, to ensure the customer satisfaction rating targets are met or exceeded ensuring that all customer issues are addressed efficiently and professionally and fully coordinated with all relevant stakeholders within the design and delivery lifecycle. Leading and motivating all direct reports within the team to ensure the best teamwork, coordination, quality outcomes that reflect the MAF Values and exceed the KPI's set within the team and broader group. Provide mentoring and support to ensure all staff receive full opportunities to meet or exceed their targets and have opportunity to develop and advance within MAF. Lead ongoing product definition, updated design brief, ongoing project brief, cost estimation and budgeting compliance with the help of Project Management and other functions within the company. Support the Project Head with leading and coaching project teams to ensure any updated business cases achieve stakeholder approvals. Lead in identifying and documenting business risks including political risk. Analyze, evaluate and rank overall risk exposure, including technical, financial and human resources. Support the analysis of risk mitigation measures to ensure that the business cases are secure to meet profit and margin targets. Influence and manage stakeholders in preparing updated or amended business plans, other meetings and acting as MAF representative for the Project when Project Head is not present. Identify and define scope and strategy along with HoD and Project Head as required for delivery of the development pipeline including legal, financial, market research, strategic marketing, sales, project management, design professionals & SME, planners and all engineering disciplines. Manage stakeholder relationships at all levels within identified Country/Region including liaison with local authorities, CEO of stakeholders partners and key business affiliates. Definition Of Success Meeting the market needs for high quality luxury residential dwellings, promote the MAF brand, managing cost, driving revenue and profit whilst delivering quality outcomes that exceed customer expectations. Functional/Technical Competencies Wholistic understanding of Development from inception to completion Understanding of residential, infrastructure and landscape design (and sub disciplines) and ability to balance optimal design within cost constraints to maximize product and profitability Strong understanding of real estate market, finance, feasibilities and business plans. Strong understanding of the luxury residential segment in Dubai / UAE Strong understanding of planning, urban design, architectural and infrastructure design and project management. Strong understanding of authority approvals processes in Dubai / UAE Ability to prepare overall development programmes and schedules including - brief, design, approvals, sales, marketing, construction and handover. Strong understanding of development planning roles and regulations Personal Characteristics And Required Background Skillset (job specific technical skills) Business Orientation People Management Influencing Self-Awareness Interpersonal relationship skills Overseeing project delivery Oversee quality control of construction Pragmatic Minimum Experience 15+ years' experience (minimum 10 years in Real Estate) Gulf experience is a must (Dubai experience preferred) Minimum Qualifications/education Under Graduate degree in property/construction, architecture, planning, urban design or engineering Master degree in above disciplines or MBA preferred