Project Manager / Project Director – Real Estate Development & Commercial

Project Director – Real Estate Development & CommercialLocation: Muscat, OmanSector: Real Estate DevelopmentReporting to: Founder / PrincipalAbout the OpportunityA prestigious private real estate development company in Oman is entering an exciting phase of growth, with a major pipeline of developments across residential, hospitality, beach clubs, retail and mixed-use destinations.We are seeking an experienced Project Director / Senior Project Manager to take a leading role in the successful development and delivery of these projects.This is a highly visible, senior position working directly with the Founder / Principal. The successful candidate will act as the key link between ownership, architects, consultants, contractors, cost consultants, operators and other project stakeholders.This is not a conventional project management position. The ideal candidate will combine strong project delivery expertise with commercial awareness, development understanding and senior stakeholder management capability.Key ResponsibilitiesProject & Development ManagementLead multiple large-scale real estate developments from concept and planning through design, procurement, construction and handover.Act as the Owner's Representative throughout the development lifecycle.Manage architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, operators and specialist advisors.Establish project programmes, milestones, reporting structures and accountability.Monitor projects against programme, budget, quality and commercial objectives.Identify and manage project risks, issues and dependencies.Lead project meetings, design reviews, technical workshops and progress meetings.Ensure consultants and contractors deliver against agreed scopes, programmes and contractual obligations.Provide clear and concise project updates and recommendations directly to the Founder.Commercial & Cost ManagementMaintain strong oversight of project budgets, cost plans, commitments and forecasts.Work closely with QS and cost consultants to maintain effective cost control.Review tenders, contractor proposals and consultant appointments.Support procurement and contractor/consultant selection strategies.Review variations, claims, change orders and commercial risks.Identify value-engineering opportunities while protecting quality and development objectives.Support contract negotiations and commercial decision-making.Monitor project cash flow and overall financial exposure.Development ManagementTranslate the Founder’s investment and development objectives into practical project strategies.Review development briefs, masterplans, concept designs and proposals from both commercial and delivery perspectives.Ensure design development remains aligned with the project's commercial, operational and investment objectives.Coordinate with hospitality operators, retail advisors, designers and specialist consultants.Contribute to feasibility studies, development planning and procurement strategies.Assess new development opportunities and identify potential technical, delivery and cost risks.Stakeholder ManagementAct as the central coordination point between ownership and external project stakeholders.Build strong relationships with architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, operators and government authorities.Translate technical information into clear commercial recommendations for the Founder.Resolve conflicts and project issues efficiently.Ensure key decisions are properly documented, communicated and implemented.Building the Development PlatformAs one of the first senior appointments within the growing development business, the successful candidate will also help establish the company's project management and governance framework.Responsibilities will include:Establishing project management procedures and reporting systems.Developing project governance and approval processes.Establishing consultant and contractor management procedures.Developing commercial reporting and cost-control systems.Supporting the recruitment and development of the future project team.Creating scalable systems capable of managing multiple developments simultaneously.Working closely with the future CEO and senior leadership team.Candidate ProfileWe are looking for a senior development professional with approximately 12–15 years of relevant experience in real estate development, project management or project delivery.The ideal candidate will have:Proven experience delivering large-scale and complex real estate developments.Strong developer-side, client-side or Owner's Representative experience.Experience managing projects from planning and design through procurement, construction and handover.Strong commercial understanding of budgets, procurement, contracts, variations and cost control.Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and multiple project workstreams.Excellent understanding of the relationship between design, cost, programme, operations and investment objectives.Experience working with senior owners, investors or principals.The confidence to challenge consultants and contractors when required.The ability to operate independently in a fast-growing entrepreneurial environment.Preferred Project ExperienceExperience across several of the following sectors would be highly desirable:Luxury residentialHotels and resortsBeach clubs and leisure destinationsRetailMixed-use developmentsHospitality-led developmentsMasterplanned communitiesCandidates whose experience is limited to small individual buildings or highly specialised technical projects are unlikely to have the breadth required.Preferred BackgroundCandidates may come from:Major real estate developersLarge-scale mixed-use developersGiga / mega-project organisationsInternational project management consultanciesDeveloper-side project managementDevelopment management consultanciesOwner's representative / client-side organisationsQualificationsA relevant degree in:Civil EngineeringConstruction ManagementArchitectureQuantity SurveyingReal Estate DevelopmentEngineeringProject ManagementProfessional qualifications such as PMP, MRICS, MCIOB or equivalent would be advantageous.Personal AttributesThe successful candidate will be:Commercially astuteTechnically strongHighly organisedDecisive and solutions-focusedConfident dealing with senior stakeholdersComfortable challenging consultants and contractorsEntrepreneurial and hands-onAble to work independently with limited corporate infrastructureStrong at managing multiple prioritiesComfortable moving between detailed project matters and strategic commercial decisionsProfessional, discreet and trusted to represent the interests of ownershipWhy This Opportunity?This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Project Director / Development Professional to join a growing private real estate platform at an important stage of its development.The successful candidate will have direct exposure to the Founder, significant influence over major projects and the opportunity to help shape the company's project management and development infrastructure as the portfolio expands across Oman.Location: Muscat, OmanPosition: Project Director / Senior Project ManagerSector: Real Estate Development