Executive Commercial Director - Real Estate Developer

About the Role

A prominent Dubai-based real estate developer is seeking an Executive Commercial Director to lead the commercial strategy for a large-scale master plan encompassing luxury residential and hospitality assets. This senior leadership position reports directly to the CEO and requires a proactive individual to establish and execute comprehensive commercial plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a direct report to the CEO and a vital part of the executive leadership team to guide the commercial direction across the entire master plan.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive commercial strategy applicable to all project phases and asset categories, including residential, hospitality, and mixed-use developments.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO and the Board regarding commercial risks, opportunities, and market positioning.
• Ensure commercial strategies align with organizational business plans, investment goals, and phased project delivery timelines.
• Oversee procurement and tender strategies, managing contracts for main contractors, consultants, and specialist services.
• Lead major contract negotiations and awards to maximize commercial benefits, optimize risk distribution, and add value.
• Supervise cost planning, budgeting, and control for all active and upcoming phases.
• Manage commercial risk including claims, contract variations, and dispute resolutions across multiple simultaneous projects.
• Implement strong commercial governance, including policies and procurement procedures for the development.
• Recruit, lead, and mentor a robust commercial team comprising Commercial Managers, Quantity Surveyors, and Procurement leads, promoting a culture of accountability and high performance.
• Establish performance benchmarks and growth plans for the commercial function.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex commercial and contractual issues throughout the organization.
• Represent the commercial department in senior stakeholder, investor, and board meetings.
• Collaborate with leadership in Development, Design, Project Delivery, and Finance to maintain commercial alignment during the project lifecycle.
• Maintain and foster strong relationships with major contractors, consultants, and external commercial and legal advisors.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of commercial leadership experience specifically within the UAE real estate development industry.
• Proven record of personally negotiating and awarding significant development contracts in the UAE market.
• Experience in luxury residential and hospitality project developments is essential.
• Possession of a relevant professional certification such as RICS, MRICS, or an equivalent qualification in quantity surveying or commercial management.
• Demonstrated success in establishing and managing commercial teams at a substantial scale.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to engage effectively at the CEO and Board levels.
• Experience working on extensive, multi-phase master-planned developments is preferred.