Development Project Manager – Reports to MD Real Estate Development

The Development Project Manager will coordinate development, design, pre-construction and other project management activities for retail and mixed used real estate development projects in the Middle East region. This Development Project Manager will be responsible for assisting in the delivery of assigned projects on time and within budget by managing the approvals, design and construction efforts and various other project management activities throughout the development process. This position is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This new hire must value entrepreneurialism and be able to thrive in a structured environment with extremely ambitious colleagues who are passionate about real estate development and who regularly take on significant levels of responsibility. The successful new hire will be a decisive, flexible, resourceful, good communicator and capable of applying exceptional judgment in dealing with people in different cultural settings.

Major Responsibilities

·         Manage day-to-day coordination of various activities needed to advance complicated mixed use development projects, overseeing and/or collaborating with disciplines involved with the project including architects, designers, engineers, contractors, market consultants, lawyers and other professional consultants; maintain consistent, clear and collegial communications with senior management and project stakeholders.

·         Work closely with the Finance Department to develop and maintain a project pro forma, budget and cost tracking mechanism; develop and adhere to comprehensive budgets and schedules for assigned projects; have current knowledge of status of budget, pro forma and schedule throughout the course of the project(s).

·         Participate in the identification and selection of the best available individual professional team members, designers, engineers, project management firms, quantity surveyors, and contractors and manage them to collaboratively deliver the services required, including contract and payment management.

·         Utilize a sophisticated level of understanding of issues and negotiating skills in developing and finalizing agreements with consultants, contractors, and other service providers.

·         Managing the tender, award, and contract management process through all stages of the construction process, including the turnover and startup.

·         Manage appropriate filings for UAE government processes and approval of various development related programs and projects.

Qualifications

·         Minimum of 15 years of real estate project management experience, with an excellent track record in successfully completed, complicated retail and/or mixed use real estate projects.

·         A track record in the management and construction of retail as a stand-alone element or as a component in large scale and/or mixed use projects.

·         Solid grasp of approvals, design & construction process - both generally and specific to assigned projects.

·         Knowledge of, and experience with, architectural and engineering firms in the UAE region.

·         Strong experience in the creation and management of budgets.

·         Speak, read and write English on a business proficiency level.

·         Ability to speak, read and write Arabic would be a strong plus, but is not required.

·         Strong familiarity with Abu Dhabi, Middle East and GCC region.

·         Undergraduate degree from a top US or European university or college preferred

·         Good command of MS Office software including extensive capabilities in Excel, PowerPoint and Word

·         Outstanding work ethic

Ideal Personal Profile

·         An outgoing, dynamic, high-energy individual who is highly entrepreneurial and self-motivated

·         Smart, logical, disciplined thinker accustomed to working with colleagues who possess superior intellect

·         A results oriented individual with a bias toward action and a sense of urgency

·         A confident, reason-minded professional with the presence and good judgment to ensure effective interaction with all employees and candidates regardless of function or level

·         Superior written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills; an ability to impart a point of view in a consultative manner and convince others to support a new perspective

·         A strong commitment to integrity and superior standards

·         An ability to work within, and be sensitive to, the variety of cultures in the Middle East

·         An ability to manage ambiguity and exhibit excellent judgment