Senior Director – Development & Delivery

Role Overview

Senior Director – Development & Delivery at Cygnify, a premier publicly listed real estate development company in the GCC region. The role is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) / GCC Region and is a full-time, permanent position.

Role Purpose

Lead and execute a diverse portfolio of large-scale residential, commercial, and mixed-use development projects across the UAE. Report directly to executive leadership (CEO/COO) to provide strategic oversight across all operational phases—from concept design through to commissioning and handover—while managing multi-billion AED project portfolios and maximizing commercial returns.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Portfolio & Operational Leadership

• Define, establish, and execute strategic project delivery plans aligned with corporate growth and profitability targets.
• Direct and oversee execution of all live project portfolios across the region, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to world-class quality standards.
• Monitor project performance continuously and present regular strategic updates, risk profiles, and operational metrics to executive stakeholders (CEO/COO).
• Lead organizational transformation and change management initiatives to streamline project delivery workflows and optimize operational efficiency.

Project Governance, Process & Systems Management

• Establish, standardize, and enforce robust project management methodologies, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all active project teams.
• Implement comprehensive in-house tracking systems and dashboard reporting to monitor project milestones, cost variations, and scheduling baselines.
• Conduct systematic project audits, identifying operational bottlenecks and implementing corrective action plans or field solutions to drive continuous productivity.
• Oversee claims management and impact analysis to safeguard corporate interests regarding contract disputes and variations.

Commercial, Financial & Procurement Oversight

• Collaborate closely with Commercial, Estimating, and Design teams during pre-construction phases, bid proposals, and value engineering reviews to establish realistic execution budgets.
• Manage multi-project operational budgets, capital allocation, and forecasting to protect gross margin targets across the delivery lifecycle.
• Direct the selection, procurement, and ongoing management of tier-one Main Contractors, external design consultants, and specialist advisers.
• Hold ultimate operational responsibility for contract administration, setting high-quality standards, and holding key supply chain partners accountable.

Team Leadership & Strategic Resource Planning

• Lead, mentor, and build high-performing project teams, providing executive oversight to Project Directors, Construction Managers, and site teams.
• Drive strategic manpower planning and resource allocation to balance project requirements across the enterprise.
• Establish clear KPI structures, conduct performance assessments, and cultivate a culture of consultative leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Quality, EHS & Regulatory Compliance

• Champion zero-harm Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) practices across all construction sites in compliance with local government regulations and company policies.
• Enforce rigorous Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) management systems across design and construction activities.

Qualifications & Experience

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution (Required).
• Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Construction Management, or Project Management (Highly Preferred).
• Professional certifications such as PMP, MRICS, or equivalent chartered engineering status (Highly Desirable).

Required Experience

• Minimum 20 years of progressive, post-qualification experience in real estate development, master planning, or major construction delivery.
• At least 8 to 10 years in a senior executive management role (Director, VP, or Senior Director level) within a leading property developer or main contracting firm in the UAE or GCC region.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple large-scale, high-complexity mega-projects simultaneously from early-stage concept design through execution to final close-out and handover.
• Deep knowledge of international Forms of Contract (e.g., FIDIC), contract administration, value engineering, and high-value claim dispute resolution.

Skills & Competencies

• Translate corporate strategy into actionable project execution plans while managing complexity and ambiguity.
• Demonstrate strong fiscal management, budget control, and margin protection capability for complex developments.
• Lead diverse technical teams, manage senior multi-stakeholder relationships, and build collaborative cultures.
• Possess hands-on expertise with enterprise Project Management Software, financial tracking systems, and modern construction technology.
• Professional fluency in English is mandatory; bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English is highly advantageous.