The Head of Development is responsible for leading the full real estate development lifecycle from feasibility and business planning through master planning, design coordination, procurement, launch, and delivery oversight.
This role ensures projects are commercially viable, strategically aligned, and executed in line with the company's vision, quality standards, timelines, and financial targets. The position combines strategic development leadership with strong commercial oversight to safeguard product integrity and investment returns.
Key Accountabilities
Development Strategy & Feasibility
- Lead development strategy for assigned projects and destinations in alignment with corporate objectives.
- Prepare and validate feasibility studies, business plans, and development financial models in collaboration with Finance.
- Evaluate land use, density, phasing strategies, and highest-and-best-use scenarios.
- Assess market trends, competitive landscape, and product opportunities.
- Support executive management in investment decisions and capital allocation.
Product Definition & Master Planning
- Define optimal product mix, unit sizing, pricing logic, and asset allocation strategies.
- Develop comprehensive project briefs covering positioning, target segments, and value proposition.
- Oversee master planning processes and infrastructure alignment.
- Ensure developments are market-responsive and commercially optimized.
Design & Technical Coordination
- Provide strategic development direction throughout concept and design stages.
- Ensure alignment between design intent, approved budgets, and feasibility parameters.
- Review and challenge design progress to maintain commercial viability.
- Lead value engineering initiatives from a development and revenue perspective.
Budget, Cost & Commercial Management
- Establish development budgets, CAPEX targets, and financial guardrails.
- Monitor cost plans across all development phases.
- Lead cost benchmarking and optimization strategies.
- Evaluate financial implications of design, scope, and construction decisions.
Tendering & Procurement Oversight
- Support consultant and contractor selection processes.
- Review scope alignment with development objectives and commercial targets.
- Participate in technical and commercial bid evaluations.
- Ensure procurement strategies support overall project viability and risk mitigation.
Project Delivery Oversight
- Oversee development progress across design and construction stages.
- Monitor milestone achievement, launch readiness, and delivery timelines.
- Coordinate closely with Project Management and Delivery teams.
- Ensure projects meet approved time, cost, quality, and revenue parameters.
Launch & Go-to-Market Readiness
- Lead end-to-end launch readiness in coordination with Sales and Marketing.
- Validate pricing strategy, inventory release plans, and payment structures.
- Ensure feasibility assumptions align with revenue targets and market demand.
- Align product positioning and branding strategy with commercial objectives.
- Support roadshows, pre-launch activities, and investor engagement initiatives.
- Monitor launch performance and adjust development strategies accordingly.
Change & Value Management
- Evaluate development changes impacting cost, revenue, product positioning, or returns.
- Safeguard project IRR and profitability metrics.
- Lead commercial value engineering to protect margins and investment outcomes.
Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate closely with Finance, Sales, Marketing, Legal, and Project Delivery teams.
- Engage with consultants, operators, and external partners.
- Present development updates, risks, and performance metrics to senior leadership and executive committees.
Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Finance, or related field.
- Master's degree (MBA, Real Estate, or Development) preferred.
- 12+ years of experience in real estate development.
- Proven track record in leading mixed-use, residential, or large-scale development projects.
- Strong experience in feasibility, product positioning, and launch strategy.
- Experience working closely with executive leadership and investment committees.
- Strong financial and feasibility analysis capability.
- Commercial understanding of CAPEX, IRR, NPV, and development margins.
- Strong knowledge of master planning, design coordination, and procurement processes.
- Risk and value engineering expertise.
- Familiarity with development feasibility software and reporting tools.
- Strong commercial acumen and strategic mindset.
- Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced development environment.
