VP Development (Residential)

MRG Global is working confidentially with an international real estate developer on the appointment of a Vice President, Residential Development to support the growth of its Saudi Arabian development platform.

This is a senior development leadership position with responsibility for the full lifecycle of large-scale, master-planned communities across a significant residential portfolio

The VP will take projects from early-stage visioning, land and feasibility analysis through masterplanning, approvals, sales launch, design, infrastructure, development delivery and handover. The role requires a strong understanding of how residential communities are conceived, commercialised and delivered specifically within the Saudi Arabian market.

The Role

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the visioning, feasibility and masterplanning of major residential developments
• Take ownership of projects across the full development lifecycle, from land due diligence and concept development through to delivery and handover
• Develop and challenge project business cases, financial models, phasing strategies and investment returns
• Lead the development process required to bring residential projects to market in Saudi Arabia
• Navigate Saudi regulatory requirements governing real estate development and off-plan residential sales
• Work within the WAFI regulatory framework, including the requirements affecting project licensing, sales launch, escrow arrangements and delivery
• Coordinate closely with investment, design, finance, legal, sales, marketing and operations teams
• Drive permitting, regulatory approvals and infrastructure coordination
• Ensure developments respond to local customer demand and deliver strong residential and community propositions

Candidate Profile

This appointment requires an experienced Saudi Arabia-based or recently Saudi Arabia-based development professional with a strong track record in large-scale residential and mixed-use communities.

Also:

• Recent, relevant development experience in Saudi Arabia is essential. Candidates whose experience is principally in the UAE or other regional markets without recent Saudi development exposure will not be considered.
• Candidates must bring:
• Recent hands-on experience developing residential or mixed-use projects in Saudi Arabia
• Direct working knowledge of WAFI and the Saudi regulatory framework governing off-plan residential development and sales
• Experience taking Saudi residential developments through the approvals and regulatory processes required to reach market
• Strong knowledge of the Saudi real estate market, including local development practices, authorities, regulatory constraints and customer dynamics
• Significant experience leading large-scale master-planned or community developments
• Genuine end-to-end development experience, rather than a background focused solely on project delivery, construction or design management
• A degree in real estate, urban planning, engineering or a related discipline; relevant postgraduate qualifications would be advantageous

This role would particularly suit someone currently operating at Executive Director, Vice President, CDO or equivalent level within a major Saudi master developer, residential developer or integrated mixed-use development business.

The position is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and offers the opportunity to play a senior role in the establishment and delivery of a significant new development platform.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Matt Donovan at MRG Global.