Director of Development

About the role

The Director of Development is a senior executive responsible for front‑end planning, business case ownership and delivery of high‑value real estate projects. This role bridges strategy and execution, ensuring developments are financially viable, contextually relevant and operationally successful.

Key responsibilities

• Lead front‑end development activities including site evaluation, concept design, market testing, highest‑and‑best‑use analysis and scenario modelling across residential, hospitality, commercial and mixed‑use components.
• Drive masterplan programming, commercial deal structuring with anchor tenants, operators and joint‑venture partners.
• Own and lead new business plans, coordinating with the Investment Manager on financial modelling, and present recommendations to the Investment Committee and Board.
• Act as Business Case and P&L Owner for assigned assets, overseeing scope, cost, programme, quality and returns from concept through handover.
• Establish and embed a stage‑gate governance framework, defining gate deliverables, approval criteria and ensuring projects only advance with proper authorization.
• Work with project management, design and construction teams to protect design intent, budget and programme, managing change control within tolerances.
• Lead development‑to‑operations handover with Asset Management and operators, ensuring assets are operator‑ready.
• Serve as primary contact for regulators, JV partners, sub‑developers, consultants and operators, securing timely approvals while safeguarding investment integrity.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in large‑scale real estate development with P&L ownership, including branded hospitality and residential for‑sale projects.
• Proven track record leading business plans, directing financial modelling and preparing Investment Committee and Board submissions.
• Experience designing and operating stage‑gate/project governance frameworks and working with hotel operators through pre‑opening.
• Strong command of feasibility analysis, development economics, investment returns and value engineering.