Project Development Director
Position Summary
The Project Development Director is responsible for leading the end-to-end development of real estate and retail, hospitality projects, from site identification and feasibility studies through design, approvals, construction, leasing coordination, project delivery, and post-completion evaluation. This role drives project strategy, ensures commercial viability, manages cross-functional stakeholders, and delivers projects on time, within budget, and in line with the company's quality standards and business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
1. Project Development Strategy
- Develop and execute project development strategies aligned with the company's growth objectives.
- Identify and evaluate new development opportunities, including retail centers, mixed-use developments, commercial properties, and redevelopment projects.
- Lead market research, location analysis, and financial feasibility studies to support investment decisions.
- Present business cases and investment recommendations to executive management and the Board.
2. Land Acquisition & Due Diligence
- Lead site sourcing, land acquisition, and negotiation activities.
- Coordinate legal, technical, environmental, and commercial due diligence.
- Assess zoning regulations, land use restrictions, infrastructure availability, and development potential.
- Work closely with legal and finance teams to complete acquisitions and contractual agreements.
3. Project Planning & Design Management
- Direct the planning and design process from concept through detailed design.
- Manage architects, consultants, engineers, and design firms to ensure projects meet operational and commercial requirements.
- Review project layouts, design standards, value engineering initiatives, and construction documentation.
- Ensure compliance with local regulations, building codes, and sustainability standards.
4. Project Execution
- Oversee project execution throughout construction until project handover.
- Monitor project schedules, budgets, risks, and quality standards.
- Coordinate with Project Management, Construction, Procurement, and Operations teams to ensure successful delivery.
- Resolve project issues and provide timely executive updates.
5. Financial & Commercial Management
- Prepare and manage development budgets and capital expenditure (CAPEX).
- Monitor project financial performance, cash flow, and return on investment (ROI).
- Identify cost optimization opportunities without compromising project quality.
- Support financial modeling and project profitability analysis.
6. Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with government agencies, landlords, developers, consultants, contractors, investors, and business partners.
- Lead negotiations with key external stakeholders.
- Coordinate closely with Leasing, Operations, Marketing, Finance, Legal, and Asset Management teams throughout the project lifecycle.
- Represent the company in meetings, regulatory discussions, and industry events.
7. Risk & Compliance Management
- Identify development risks and establish mitigation strategies.
- Ensure projects comply with legal, environmental, health & safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor project governance and ensure adherence to company policies and approval processes.
8. Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Project Development team.
- Establish performance objectives and succession planning.
- Promote collaboration across departments and foster a high-performance culture.
- Drive continuous improvement in project development processes and best practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Urban Planning, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Master's degree (MBA or related discipline) is preferred.
- Professional certifications such as PMP, MRICS, or equivalent are an advantage.
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of experience in real estate development, retail development, or commercial property development.
- At least 7 years in a senior leadership role managing large-scale development projects.
- Proven track record of delivering retail, mixed-use, commercial, or large real estate developments from inception to completion.
- Experience working with developers, retailers, consultants, contractors, and government authorities.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong understanding of real estate development processes and project lifecycle management.
- Expertise in feasibility studies, financial modeling, project budgeting, and investment analysis.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Excellent knowledge of construction, planning, zoning, and regulatory requirements.
- Outstanding leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and project management software; knowledge of AutoCAD and real estate development systems is an advantage.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Commercial & Financial Acumen
- Leadership & People Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Negotiation & Influencing
- Project & Program Management
- Decision Making
- Risk Management
- Change Management
- Results Orientation
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Customer & Business Focus