chief operating officer (property developer).

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a high-level executive responsible for driving the growth, profitability, and strategic direction of a major property development portfolio. This comprehensive role requires a visionary leader who can seamlessly bridge the gap between initial real estate acquisition and long-term asset optimization.

Unlike traditional development roles, the CDO will directly oversee four critical pillars of the property lifecycle: Project Development/Execution, Sales & Marketing, Asset Management, and Property Management. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of construction acumen, marketing strategy, and financial sharpness to maximize the value of our real estate portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

• Define and execute the company’s long-term property development strategy aligned with financial and growth targets.
• Identify, evaluate, and secure new land acquisition and joint-venture opportunities.
• Oversee feasibility studies, market research, and financial modeling for proposed developments.

2. Project Development & Execution

• Lead the project management team from conceptual design, zoning, and permitting through to construction and handover.
• Ensure all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Manage relationships with architects, contractors, engineers, and local government authorities.

3. Sales & Marketing Direction

• Oversee the Sales & Marketing team to design and execute aggressive pre-sales and post-construction sales strategies.
• Drive branding initiatives, digital marketing campaigns, and agency partnerships to ensure high absorption rates.
• Establish pricing strategies, payment structures, and promotional incentives based on market analytics.

4. Asset Management & Optimization

• Oversee the financial performance of completed, revenue-generating commercial, residential, or retail assets.
• Develop strategies for asset enhancement, refinancing, repositioning, or divestment to maximize Return on Investment (ROI) and Net Operating Income (NOI).
• Manage portfolio risk and ensure optimal capital allocation.

5. Property Management & Operations

• Lead the Property Management team to ensure world-class facilities management, tenant retention, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee operational budgets, maintenance schedules, and vendor contracts for managed properties.
• Implement PropTech solutions to modernize operations and reduce overhead costs.

skills / experiences required

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Finance, or Business Administration. An MBA or Master’s in Real Estate Development is highly preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in real estate property development, with at least 5 years in a senior executive or C-suite capacity.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Proven track record of successfully managing both the front-end (development & sales) and back-end (asset & property management) of real estate.
• Financial Acumen: Strong expertise in real estate financial modeling, P&L management, joint-venture structures, and project financing.
• Leadership: Exceptional leadership and people-management skills, with a proven ability to align diverse teams (from construction sites to corporate marketing) toward a single vision.