Managing Director Retail Development

About the Role

The Management Recruitment Group (MRG) has been appointed for a confidential search for a Managing Director, Retail Development. This full-time position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and requires over 10 years of experience. The successful candidate will report to senior Development leadership and assume full ownership of a substantial retail portfolio within one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant mixed-use developments.

Role Overview

This role involves building the team, operating structure, governance, and delivery capability necessary to advance multiple retail formats from strategy through to opening. The portfolio includes three distinct areas: embedded retail within wider office, residential, and mixed-use developments; community retail, encompassing neighbourhood centres, strip retail, and grocery anchors; and large-scale destination retail.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand the full retail development lifecycle, from business case, development planning, and commercial strategy through design, tenant requirements, leasing, box delivery, and opening.
• Challenge development plans and identify commercial and delivery risks early.
• Provide clear recommendations to senior leadership.
• Independently manage the development program.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Significant leadership experience across major retail and mixed-use developments.
• Strong knowledge of the Middle East retail property market, ideally gained within the GCC.
• Experience across more than one retail typology, including destination malls, community retail, and embedded mixed-use retail.
• A strong network across regional retailers, developers, operators, brands, and the leasing community.
• First-hand experience negotiating major retail transactions and working directly with tenants and operators.
• Strong commercial, development, and delivery judgment, distinct from a background focused solely on leasing or retail operations.
• Experience building and leading senior multidisciplinary teams.
• The credibility to operate with senior executives, challenge assumptions, and represent the Retail Business Unit at a leadership level.

Compensation

This Managing Director-level appointment offers a competitive executive package. Salary details will be disclosed to qualified candidates.

Application Process

Given the confidential nature of this mandate, further details will be shared only with suitably qualified individuals following an initial discussion with MRG.