Senior Vice President - Development

Role Overview

Senior Vice President - Development at Al Ghurair, based in Dubai. Lead the end-to-end development process of multiple residential, office and retail projects at differing stages of the lifecycle, spanning feasibility through completion.

Company Overview

Al Ghurair is a leading diversified family business group in the Middle East, founded in 1960. Operations span six key industry sectors: Foods and Resources, Properties, Construction and Services, Energy, Mobility, and Ventures. Headquartered in Deira, the company employs approximately 28,000 people across more than 50 countries worldwide.

Role Purpose

Ensure execution of development strategy for new and existing projects, translating land, market and investment objectives into clear product positioning and delivery. Manage the full development lifecycle across multiple concurrent projects at materially different stages, with primary focus on build-to-sell residential developments alongside offices and retail, including both standalone buildings and master-planned schemes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Business Planning

• Ensure execution of the development strategy for new and existing projects, translating land, market and investment objectives into a clear product, positioning and delivery.
• Prepare, maintain and challenge feasibility assessments, development briefs and project business plans, including unit mix, sizes, pricing, revenue, cost, programme, sales phasing, profitability and key sensitivities prepared with appropriate research and data.
• Maintain ownership of the development business plan and identify material risks, opportunities and variances early, with clear recommendations for action.
• Apply market and competitor intelligence to product, pricing and positioning decisions, ensuring the development remains relevant to target customers and commercially robust.
• Support senior management decision-making with concise analysis, clear options and reasoned recommendations, including where information is incomplete or evolving.

Project Leadership & Lifecycle Management

• Lead assigned developments across the full lifecycle and prioritise multiple concurrent projects at materially different stages.
• Demonstrable experience across the full development lifecycle, including new opportunity assessment, feasibility, business planning, product definition, design management, sales launch, construction and delivery.

Product Definition & Design Management

• Lead residential product definition and refinement, including unit mix, layouts, room dimensions, planning efficiency, specifications, finishes, kitchens, bathrooms, amenities, common areas, architecture, landscape and relevant brands.
• Prepare clear consultant briefs and lead architects, designers and specialist consultants through concept, schematic and detailed design, challenging proposals from product, commercial, technical and programme perspectives.
• Excellent residential product judgement, including layouts, dimensions, specifications, amenities, finishes, brands, market positioning and pricing.

Sales Launch & Commercial Coordination

• Lead sales-launch readiness with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Legal and other relevant functions, including pricing recommendations, inventory and release strategy, sales plans, authority approvals and registrations, specifications, show units, sales centre and customer-facing information.

Reporting & Governance

• Maintain accurate, concise reporting on business plan performance, sales, revenue, cost, programme, design, approvals, risks, opportunities and decisions required.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Apply practical knowledge of Dubai Building Code, Dubai Municipality, DDA, DLD and RERA requirements, including project registration and escrow, from feasibility through launch and delivery.

Issues & Risk Management

• Drive issues through to resolution, escalating material matters early with a clear assessment of impact, options and recommended course of action.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or a related field. Relevant postgraduate qualification and/or professional accreditation is advantageous but not essential.
• At least 10+ years of relevant real estate development experience, with significant experience in Dubai residential build-to-sell development.
• Experience with a leading Dubai or UAE residential developer is preferred. Premium or upper-mid-market residential experience is advantageous.
• Demonstrable experience across the full development lifecycle, including new opportunity assessment, feasibility, business planning, product definition, design management, sales launch, construction and delivery.
• Experience managing multiple developments or significant workstreams concurrently at different stages of the lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of Dubai residential build-to-sell development and the drivers of customer demand, pricing, product differentiation and sales performance.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial understanding of project P&Ls, feasibility, development cost, revenue, margin, cash flow and business plan sensitivities.
• Strong design management capability and the confidence to challenge consultants constructively while maintaining productive relationships.
• Practical knowledge of Dubai Building Code, Dubai Municipality, DLD and RERA requirements and their implications for design, registration, launch and delivery.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills: clear, concise and credible in writing and verbally, with the ability to align functions, challenge appropriately and present recommendations to senior management.
• Strong analytical ability, intellectual agility, attention to detail, prioritisation and speed of thought.

Additional Information

• Al Ghurair is committed to fostering a vibrant community where individuals thrive and careers flourish. The organization emphasizes respect, support, open communication and a core Purpose of 'Enhancing Life' across its diverse, global workforce.