Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Role overview

A newly formed government-owned sovereign wealth fund in the Emirates, established in January 2026, is looking for a seasoned Chief Development Officer to drive major real estate and infrastructure initiatives tied to economic diversification. The organization focuses on real estate, infrastructure development, and long-term value creation.

What the role involves

The position calls for a senior development leader with international exposure who has successfully taken industrial zones from early concept to launch. The ideal profile combines master planning capability with hands-on delivery leadership across large-scale industrial, logistics, and mixed-use environments, including permitting, construction, infrastructure rollout, and handover.

• Steer the full lifecycle of large industrial parks and economic zones, from initial concept through operational go-live.
• Shape and implement the development roadmap so it supports broader investment and business goals.
• Source and secure strategic investments, partnerships, and anchor occupiers.
• Direct master planning, infrastructure works, and efficient land-use planning.
• Coordinate engineering, construction, utilities, and infrastructure execution streams.
• Build and maintain relationships with regulators, public bodies, and government stakeholders.
• Drive permitting, licensing, zoning, and environmental approval processes.
• Structure, negotiate, and close deals with investors, developers, operators, and strategic partners.
• Create commercial approaches that attract manufacturing, logistics, and technology companies from local and international markets.
• Oversee budgets, funding plans, financial planning, and investment returns.

Experience profile

The fund is seeking professionals from around the world who have led large-scale development programs and can create measurable economic impact through growth, profitability, and enterprise value creation. Strong candidates will have experience in complex organizations and multi-stakeholder environments.

• 20+ years of experience in large real estate or infrastructure development.
• Background across industrial cities, logistics parks, economic zones, and mixed-use master developments.
• Track record delivering greenfield programs in the USD 2–10 billion range from planning to completion.
• Commercial exposure in land monetization, development agreements, and design-build procurement.
• Experience in GCC markets and/or emerging markets with complex regulatory frameworks.
• History of leading multidisciplinary teams of more than 150 staff, including PMO and delivery functions.

Location

The preferred base is the Emirates, although candidates based abroad may also be considered for this single initiative.

Compensation note

This assignment is expected to reward candidates who bring substantial economic impact and a strong record of enterprise value creation. The engagement offers highly attractive daily rates.