Knight Frank is entering a significant phase of growth and strategic transformation within its MENA Residential platform. This appointment represents a critical leadership role within the Dubai Prime Residential business and requires a proven market leader with demonstrable experience operating across Dubai's prime and super-prime residential markets.
The role will assume full responsibility for the growth, market positioning and commercial performance of Knight Frank's residential agency platform across the city's core prime locations. The successful candidate will lead the development and execution of the divisional strategy, drive sustained revenue and market share growth, strengthen strategic client relationships, and originate new business opportunities across both domestic and international client segments. The role further carries responsibility for fostering and maximising cross-border collaboration across Knight Frank's international network to support capital flows, client mandates and referral activity.
The successful candidate will be a commercially astute and highly credible leader, accustomed to operating in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment and to delivering consistently high standards of service, governance and client outcomes. Substantial experience within the Dubai residential market is essential, together with a proven track record of advising and engaging a highly international, multi-national client base. Exceptional communication, leadership and stakeholder management capability are fundamental to success in this role.
Responsibilities:
Commercial Leadership
- Develop and deliver a clearly defined, multi-year business strategy for the Dubai Prime Residential business, aligned to Knight Frank's wider regional and global objectives.
- Establish and maintain Knight Frank's position as the leading premium residential advisory brand across Dubai and its core communities.
- Own and deliver the Prime Residential profit and loss account, including revenue growth, margin performance, cost control and long-term commercial sustainability.
- Drive growth in high-quality listings and instructions through structured business development strategies, market intelligence and community-level planning.
- In partnership with the Research function, develop targeted client engagement and business development strategies aligned to market trends and capital flows.
Operational Performance & Governance
- Set, monitor and enforce performance frameworks for all Community Directors and city-wide agents, ensuring consistent delivery against agreed commercial and service KPIs.
- Provide executive oversight of sales progression, pipeline management and transaction delivery to ensure commercial outcomes are achieved efficiently and professionally.
- Ensure the highest standards of operational governance, customer due diligence and regulatory compliance in accordance with all applicable local and global requirements.
- Maintain full oversight of risk management, reporting and internal controls across the Dubai Prime operation.
Leadership of People
- Provide direct leadership to Community Directors and their respective teams, fostering a culture of accountability, excellence and commercial ownership.
- Lead succession planning, talent development and future capability planning to support long-term business growth.
- Partner closely with the People team to utilise workforce analytics, proactively manage attrition, and implement targeted engagement and retention initiatives.
- Embed robust performance management and reward frameworks aligned to clearly defined outcomes and behaviours.
- Actively champion Knight Frank's values, behaviours and cultural standards across the business.
Brand, Marketing & Market Presence
- Lead the strategic development of the Prime Residential brand across Dubai in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications function.
- Ensure the delivery of a structured, fully resourced marketing and communications strategy that strengthens market positioning, community visibility and client engagement.
- Oversee the quality, consistency and effectiveness of all pitch documentation, client presentations and marketing collateral.
- Embed measurable marketing and digital performance indicators to track brand impact and profile growth year-on-year.
- Act as a senior ambassador for Knight Frank through media engagement, public commentary and market representation.
Client Engagement & Business Development
- Lead major client pursuits and strategic pitches, ensuring that all proposals are commercially compelling, professionally presented and consistently aligned to Knight Frank's brand standards.
- Drive structured referral activity across the regional and international Knight Frank network to maximise cross-service and cross-market opportunities.
- Strengthen relationships with international offices to support inbound and outbound client activity and referral flows.
Collaboration & Responsible Business
- Actively promote collaboration across residential and non-residential service lines to deliver integrated client solutions.
- Represent the Dubai Prime business within wider MENA and UAE leadership forums, research initiatives and strategic programmes.
- Champion Knight Frank's Responsible Business agenda, including People, Place and Planet initiatives, across all operational and commercial activity.
Systems, Data & Performance Intelligence
- Ensure the effective deployment, adoption and optimisation of Knight Frank's technology platforms and data systems, including Hub and associated reporting tools.
- Support the business with Establishing and maintain a robust data governance and management framework
- Leverage system-generated performance intelligence to guide Community Directors and leadership teams in achieving commercial and operational targets.
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting of performance, KPIs and operational metrics across the business.
Financial & Resource Accountability
- Hold full accountability for the financial performance of the Dubai Prime Residential business, including budgets, headcount (circa 50 employees), cost structures and profitability.
- Optimise fee income per fee earner and drive margin improvement through productivity, performance and business mix.
- Oversee fee-sharing arrangements between Community Directors and city-wide agents in line with agreed commercial frameworks.
Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred (or equivalent work experience).
- Minimum of 5 years experience in residential real estate sales, with proven experience in the luxury market and serving clients in Dubai.
- proven track record of dealing with evidence of transactions completed.
- Understanding of regional business culture and regulations.
- The ability to understand and make use of computers and information technology (Knight Frank internal systems).
- Certifications and Licenses: RERA Real Estate Practice card required. Local driving license required.
- Software: Microsoft Office programs to a proficient level.
- Language skills: Fluency in English, written and verbal. Fluency in Arabic or other languages is advantageous.
- Travel: Flexible attitude towards travelling.
