Development Director - SAUDI NATIONAL📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Cornerstone Global Partners is seeking a Development Director for a Saudi national role with a leading developer in Riyadh. This position is responsible for one of the capital's most significant residential-led masterplans, a project encompassing thousands of residential units and supporting amenities, contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 housing and urban growth objectives. This senior leadership role requires full ownership of the residential asset class, from initial concept through to project handover, with accountability for commercial, design, and delivery performance. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with executive leadership, consultants, contractors, and government stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the development strategy and phasing plan for residential assets, ensuring alignment with the overall masterplan vision and commercial targets.
• Lead feasibility studies, highest-and-best-use analysis, and development appraisals to optimize product mix, density, and returns.
• Contribute to land use planning, plot release strategy, and product positioning in collaboration with masterplanning and commercial teams.
• Oversee the design management process for all residential components, from concept and schematic design through to detailed design and tender.
• Appoint, brief, and manage lead consultants, architects, and specialist designers, reviewing deliverables for compliance, buildability, and value.
• Ensure designs adhere to regulatory, authority, and Saudi Building Code requirements, as well as the client's quality and brand standards.
• Drive the timely and on-budget delivery of residential phases, holding consultants and contractors accountable for programme and quality milestones.
• Manage the procurement and tendering of contractors, and oversee the interface between design, construction, and handover teams.
• Identify and mitigate development, programme, and commercial risks, escalating critical issues to executive leadership as necessary.
• Own the development budget and cashflow for the residential portfolio, working with cost and commercial teams to control spend and protect margins.
• Track development performance against the business plan, reporting on cost, programme, and value to the Chief Development Officer and board.
• Support the sales and marketing strategy by ensuring product is positioned and delivered to meet market demand.
• Act as the senior point of contact for residential development, managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including authorities and government entities.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing development team as the portfolio scales.
• Represent the development professionally in interactions with consultants, contractors, partners, and regulators.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in real estate development is required, with a strong preference for candidates possessing 15+ years of experience.
• Demonstrable experience leading the full development lifecycle of large-scale residential or mixed-use schemes, from feasibility and design through to construction and handover.
• Masterplan or giga-project experience is strongly preferred.
• Essential GCC delivery experience, with a clear advantage for candidates who have experience in Saudi Arabia.
• Proven commercial acumen, with the ability to own development appraisals, budgets, and cashflow, and report effectively to executive level.
• Strong consultant and contractor management skills, possessing the gravitas to lead senior external teams.
• Knowledge of Saudi regulatory frameworks, authorities, and the local delivery environment is highly desirable.
• A degree in Architecture, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Real Estate, or a related discipline is required.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification or chartership (RICS, RIBA, or equivalent) is advantageous.

Required Skills

• Development Strategy
• Feasibility Studies
• Development Appraisals
• Land Use Planning
• Design Management
• Consultant Management
• Contractor Management
• Procurement and Tendering
• Risk Mitigation
• Budget Management
• Cashflow Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Team Leadership
• Real Estate Development
• Masterplan Development
• Giga-project Experience
• GCC Delivery Experience
• Saudi Regulatory Frameworks
• Local Delivery Environment

Work Environment and Location

This is a full-time role based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The position involves leading a development team and managing relationships with various internal and external stakeholders.