Associate Director - Development | Real Estate | Private Properties

Job description / Role

Job Requisition ID: 162459

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role
The role is responsible for managing the entire development cycle of real estate projects, including both design and construction phases, from initial concept through to final handover. This involves ensuring timely delivery of all project aspects within the agreed program while maintaining the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance. The role is based in the UAE but entails overseeing international projects in France and the UK, coordinating with stakeholders, consultants, and contractors to achieve project goals.

What you will do
- Manage the design and development from inception to completion with all involved stakeholders, focusing on quality, design efficiency, value and cost optimisation, and time delivery.
- Ensure vision and quality of project are maintained, and that the project is meeting all requirements as per approved business plan.
- Prepare design studies, presentations, and monthly technical reports for management update.
- Manage securing of all entitlements, approvals and permits as well as negotiating agreements with all required consultants & sub-consultants.
- Assist in site study with design options for feasibility studies. This shall include conduct site investigations, planning parameters, authority requirements and cost estimates.
- Work with internal parties to come up with Project Brief for consultants to base upon for their design works.
- Closely monitor and manage consultants & contractors and evaluate their project performance under the awarded projects portfolio.
- Ensuring the design process adheres to current legislation, standards, and codes of practice where appropriate
- Manage multiple projects within the programme through interaction with Architects, Engineers, and Specialist Consultants, from project conception to hand-over
- Ensure that all steps within the project are documented and that the documentation are in compliance with the set standards
- Aiming to keep financial cost and risk as low as possible and to eliminate health and safety risks
- Investigate the market and establish a short list of Contractors with the necessary experience, capability, quality of workmanship and capacity to meet project requirement

Required Skills to be successful
- Minimum of 10-15 years of comprehensive experience in design and project management, with a focus on luxury and high-end projects, including hotels with at least 5 years of experience in France is required.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Design Management, Construction and Project Management, Planning, HSE standards and Managing project budgets and financials.

What equips you for the role
- Bachelor's degree/University degree in Architecture or a related field.
- Extensive understanding of design and construction practices, standards, and regulations specific to France.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.