Director of Development – Waterfront Master-Planned Community

About the role

A leading international luxury real estate developer is looking for a Development Director based in Oman to lead a major waterfront master-planned community, which includes dredged water canals and luxury residential districts. You will be the client-side lead from masterplan through dredging, infrastructure works, residential delivery and handover.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the masterplanning of the community, covering canal network, water frontage, plots, infrastructure, amenities and open space.
• Appoint and manage masterplanners, architects, coastal and marine engineers, hydrodynamic and water-quality modellers and landscape consultants.
• Ensure canal design meets water circulation and quality, navigability, stable edges and quay walls.
• Lead value engineering of marine and infrastructure packages.
• Oversee dredging, canal excavation, revetments, quay walls, breakwaters, beaches and marina works.
• Set procurement strategy, lead tendering, evaluation and negotiation with international and regional dredging contractors, and monitor volumes, sequencing, soil improvement, settlement, quality testing, programme, cost and specification.
• Secure approvals in Oman, including EIA, coastal and maritime permits, dredging and disposal approvals and utility NOCs.
• Build relationships with Omani ministries, municipalities, port and maritime authorities, environmental regulators and utility providers, and ensure environmental monitoring and compliance.
• Lead the design and delivery of canal-front villas, branded residences, apartments and amenities, and guide project managers, PMCs and contractors through construction, commissioning and handover.
• Take overall responsibility for budget, programme, risk and health and safety; manage FIDIC or similar contracts, variations, claims and disputes.
• Act as main client representative for joint venture partners, government stakeholders and investors, and build and lead a multidisciplinary development team in Oman.

Required profile

• At least 10 years' experience in real estate development, with a track record on residential and master-planned communities.
• Hands-on experience with dredging and water canal projects, such as canal-front communities, marinas, land reclamation or waterfront developments, client-side or with a major marine contractor or consultancy.
• Has delivered large-scale waterfront or master-planned projects from concept to handover.
• Experience in the GCC is essential; experience in Oman is a strong advantage.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Coastal Engineering, Architecture or Construction Management; a Master's, MBA, RICS or PMP is an advantage.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of marine and coastal engineering, dredging methods and contracts, reclamation and environmental requirements.
• Development finance, feasibility modelling, cost management and procurement.
• Leadership, negotiation and stakeholder management, with presentation at board and government level.
• Arabic is an advantage.