Development Director - Real Estate

Development Director

Reports to : Managing Director India

Team : Project managers, design managers, construction managers, planners, QC engineers, HSE engineers, etc. Team of ~40 at the moment.

Role & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

- Serve as the primary lead for all client hospitality projects (currently ~12 greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects under active management).

- Partner directly with client leadership (CEO, CFO) to define development goals, brand alignment, and performance benchmarks.

- Lead internal cross-functional teams and external partners, including designers, contractors, and vendors.

- Translate client vision into actionable project and design briefs, ensuring clear articulation of

brand standards and guest experience strategy.

Development & Design Advisory:

- Lead preparation of Project Execution Plans (PEP), including scheduling, budgeting, phasing strategy, and procurement planning.

- Advise client on hotel operator brand standards and ensure alignment with brand technical guidelines.

- Drive value engineering and design optimization efforts in collaboration with in-house and third-party experts.

- Provide hands-on leadership during feasibility, concept design, and consultant selection stages.

Timeline and Budget Control

- Ensure tight control of project timelines through rigorous programme management, proactive risk analysis, and timely decision-making.

- Own the project budgeting process end-to-end from initial feasibility assessments to final reconciliation with clear cost control mechanisms at every phase.

- Drive accountability on cost and schedule across consultants, contractors, and internal teams.

- Champion disciplined execution to deliver projects on time and within agreed budgets, without compromising design integrity or operational performance.

Delivery Oversight

- Lead project delivery from concept design through procurement and construction.

- Ensure compliance with international quality standards, regulatory requirements, safety

standards, and sustainability objectives.

- Lead project review meetings, site inspections, and high-level reporting.

- Steer the change management process, cost reviews, and risk mitigation strategies.

Team Leadership:

- Mentor and lead a multi-disciplinary team of project managers, design managers, planners, commercial managers, and construction professionals.

- Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, and excellence across all levels of the project team.

- Ensure continuous alignment between client expectations and internal delivery standards.

Required Experience & Skills:

- 20+ years of international experience in project management, including proven track record of delivering complex hospitality assets on schedule and within budget.

- Strong background in hotel development lifecycle: from design through procurement and construction.

- Demonstrated experience with operator-led design and technical standards (e.g., Marriott, IHG, Hyatt).

- Deep understanding of procurement, cost control, construction logistics, and design coordination.

- Confident communicator with executive presence and high emotional intelligence.

- Prior experience leading multi-asset hospitality portfolios preferred.

- Experience managing projects in developing countries is preferred.

Required Education

- Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management.

- Master's degree in real estate development, construction management, or business administration is highly preferred.

- Additional certifications (PMP, RICS, LEED, or equivalent) will be valued, especially where relevant to cost, sustainability, or schedule control.