Vice President - International Business Development

Role Overview

Vice President – International Business Development at AHS Properties. The role is based in the UAE and focuses on growing AHS Properties' portfolio and presence across international markets.

Role Purpose

The Vice President – International Business Development is responsible for identifying and securing new investment opportunities, acquiring land for developments, executing bulk buying and selling deals, building relationships with investors worldwide, and driving overseas sales and strategic partnerships. The role positions the brand among high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth buyers, family offices, institutional investors and international brokerage networks. The VP owns the investment pipeline and international revenue plan end to end—from market selection and channel strategy through deal closure in partnership with Sales, Marketing, Finance and Legal—while ensuring full compliance with UAE and target-market regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Opportunities – UAE and International

• Identify, source and evaluate real estate investment opportunities inside and outside the UAE and in selected international markets, aligned with AHS Properties' investment strategy and risk appetite.
• Screen opportunities across asset classes: residential, branded residences, hospitality, mixed-use and commercial.
• Present a qualified pipeline to the CEO and Investment Committee.
• Lead initial feasibility studies, market studies and financial modelling, including IRR, ROI, payback and sensitivity analysis, in coordination with Finance.
• Coordinate commercial, legal, tax and technical due diligence with internal teams and external advisers, covering country, currency, regulatory and political risk for overseas investments.
• Structure and negotiate investment deals, including acquisitions, joint ventures, co-investments and partnerships, within approved delegation of authority.
• Monitor the performance of approved investments against the original business case and report to senior management.

Land Acquisition and New Developments

• Source and secure land plots and development sites in the UAE and abroad through government master developers, landowners, brokers and auctions.
• Conduct land appraisal and highest-and-best-use studies, including zoning, permitted GFA/BUA, plot ratios, infrastructure and access.
• Prepare development business cases covering concept, product mix, cost estimates, sales pricing, phasing and projected returns for management approval.
• Negotiate land purchase agreements, development agreements, land swaps and JV/land-partnership structures with Legal and Finance.
• Work with the Projects/Development team, design consultants and contractors on concept, master planning and initial approvals, and hand over approved projects for delivery.
• Ensure land and project acquisitions comply with Dubai Land Department, RERA, master developer and local planning requirements, and with foreign-ownership and investment rules in overseas jurisdictions.

Bulk Deals – Acquisition and Disposal

• Originate, negotiate and close bulk purchase and bulk sale transactions, including multiple units, full floors, buildings or portfolios in the UAE and internationally.
• Identify bulk-buy opportunities from developers, banks, funds and distressed sellers that offer value below market.
• Identify bulk-sale opportunities to institutional buyers, funds and investor groups.
• Prepare deal valuations, pricing, payment structures and exit strategies, supported by independent valuations, for approval under delegation of authority.
• Coordinate SPAs, bulk transfer procedures and registration with Legal, Finance and the Dubai Land Department.
• Ensure enhanced KYC, source-of-funds and AML checks on every counterparty.

International Strategy & Market Expansion

• Develop and execute the international business development strategy aligned with AHS Properties' corporate objectives and project launch pipeline.
• Identify, evaluate and prioritise target countries and buyer segments based on market data, demand trends, currency movements and regulatory conditions.
• Prepare annual and quarterly international sales targets, budgets and go-to-market plans for approval by senior management.
• Assess opportunities for representative offices, sales galleries or agency arrangements abroad and present business cases to management.

Revenue Generation & Sales Leadership

• Own the international bulk sales pipeline and deliver agreed revenue, unit and collection targets across AHS projects.
• Lead negotiations on high-value and multi-unit transactions, block sales and bespoke purchase structures, within approved delegation of authority.

Global Investor Relations

• Build, develop and maintain strong, long-term and positive relationships with investors around the world, acting as a trusted point of contact on behalf of AHS Properties.
• Develop an investor relations plan covering target investor groups, engagement calendar, communication standards and regular updates on AHS projects and performance.
• Represent AHS Properties in investor meetings, conferences and forums abroad.
• Organise investor visits to the UAE.
• Maintain an accurate investor database and relationship records in the company CRM, in line with data-protection requirements.
• Build and maintain a strong network of HNWI and UHNWI clients, family offices, private banks, wealth managers and institutional investors.
• Act as the senior relationship owner for key international clients, providing a discreet, high-touch experience throughout the buying journey.
• Host and coordinate visits of international investors to Dubai, including site tours, show apartments and meetings with senior leadership.

Channel Partnerships & Broker Network

• Recruit, onboard and manage a network of international real estate agencies, wealth advisers and introducers in target markets.
• Negotiate and manage international agency and referral agreements, commission structures and performance terms, in coordination with Legal and Finance.

Strategic Alliances & Joint Ventures

• Identify and develop strategic alliances, co-branding opportunities and joint venture or land partnership opportunities with international developers, brands, funds and investors.
• Support due diligence, feasibility discussions and term-sheet negotiation for strategic partnerships, together with the Finance, Legal and Projects teams.

Representation at International and National Events

• Represent AHS Properties at international and national events, including exhibitions, conferences, investor forums, government and industry events, and private launches.

Market Intelligence & Reporting

• Monitor global real estate, capital-flow and competitor activity, and provide regular market intelligence to the executive team.
• Deliver monthly and quarterly performance reports covering sales, pipeline, partner performance, marketing ROI and spend.

Team Leadership & Development

• Promote collaboration between the international team and the local Sales, Marketing, Customer Relations and Finance functions.

Governance, Compliance & Risk

• Ensure all international sales activities comply with UAE law, Dubai Land Department/RERA regulations, and UAE anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) requirements, including KYC and source-of-funds checks.
• Ensure marketing, agency and sales activities in each target market comply with local licensing, advertising, data-protection and financial-promotion rules.
• Seek legal advice before entering a new jurisdiction.
• Adhere to the company's delegation of authority, code of conduct, anti-bribery and conflict-of-interest policies.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, Finance, Engineering, Marketing or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in real estate sales or business development.
• At least 5–7 years in a senior leadership role with international responsibility.
• Proven track record in real estate investment, land acquisition and development feasibility in the UAE and internationally.
• Proven track record of generating significant international sales for a premium or luxury real estate developer, ideally in Dubai/the UAE.
• Established network of international brokers, private banks, wealth managers, family offices and HNWI clients in one or more key markets.
• Strong understanding of the Dubai off-plan and ready property market, DLD/RERA procedures, escrow requirements and AML/KYC obligations.
• Experience establishing overseas offices, agency networks or joint ventures.
• Fluency in English; additional languages relevant to target markets (e.g. Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, Hindi, French) are a strong advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Investment and financial analysis: strong command of feasibility studies, valuation and deal structuring.
• Strategic thinking: able to translate corporate goals into a clear international growth plan.
• Commercial acumen: strong negotiation, deal structuring and pricing judgement.
• Relationship management: credible, discreet and trusted with UHNWI and institutional clients.
• Leadership: builds, motivates and holds high-performing teams accountable.
• Cross-cultural intelligence: adapts style and messaging across markets and cultures.
• Integrity and compliance mindset: protects the company's reputation in every transaction.
• Executive presence: confident communicator and presenter at board and public level.