Chief Executive Officer - Real Estate Development (Logistics & Warehousing)

Role Overview

A leading Saudi-based group is establishing and scaling a real estate development arm focused on logistics, warehousing, and industrial assets.

We are seeking a CEO who is first and foremost a real estate developer — someone who has personally built, delivered, and commercialized warehouses to professional standards and can hit the ground running in the Saudi market from day one.

This is not a portfolio oversight or asset-light role.

This is a builder CEO mandate.

The Mandate

The CEO will have full ownership of strategy, development, execution, and commercialization of logistics and warehouse assets, supporting both internal operations and third-party clients.

You will be expected to:

• Take land and turn it into operational, income-generating assets
• Lead from feasibility through handover
• Work directly with contractors, consultants, and suppliers
• Apply global development standards, adapted to local Saudi realities

Key Responsibilities

1. Real Estate Development (Core Responsibility)

• Lead end-to-end development of:
• Storage warehouses
• Sorting & fulfillment centers
• Logistics and transport facilities
• Personally oversee:
• Land evaluation and feasibility studies
• Design standards and specifications
• Contractor selection and on-site execution
• Budget control, timelines, and quality
• Deep understanding of:
• Grade A / B / C warehouses and when to deploy each
• Ceiling heights (e.g. 8m+, 10–12m), flooring loads, docks, layouts
• First-mile, storage, sorting, and fulfillment use cases

2. Saudi Market Execution

• Operate confidently within the Saudi ecosystem, including:
• Contractors and subcontractors
• Materials and suppliers
• Authorities and approvals
• Local clients and operators
• Strong practical knowledge of:
• Local construction practices
• Cost drivers and lead times
• Common execution risks and how to mitigate them

3. Strategy, Commercial & P&L Ownership

• Own the real estate P&L, CAPEX, and ROI targets
• Lead build vs lease vs buy decisions
• Structure projects for:
• Speed to market
• Commercial viability
• Long-term asset value
• Oversee leasing, partnerships, and asset monetization

4. Business Development & Partnerships

• Build relationships with:
• Landowners
• Logistics operators
• Industrial tenants
• Strategic partners (local and international)
• Evaluate joint ventures and development partnerships
• Engage with international logistics and industrial real estate players where relevant

5. Leadership & Governance

• Build and lead a lean, execution-focused development team
• Set clear standards, governance, and delivery discipline
• Report to shareholders with clarity and ownership — without losing execution focus

Mandatory Experience (Non-Negotiable)

• Proven track record as a real estate developer, not just an operator or asset manager
• Direct, hands-on experience building and delivering warehouses or logistics assets
• Strong exposure to logistics, industrial, or fulfillment real estate
• Solid execution experience in Saudi Arabia (Gulf experience alone is not sufficient)

Technical & Commercial Strength

• Deep understanding of:
• Warehouse specifications and standards
• Construction methods and materials
• Contractor and consultant management
• Commercially sharp:
• Feasibility studies
• ROI analysis
• Monetization strategies
• Comfortable making fast, high-impact decisions on site

Leadership Style

• Hands-on, execution-driven
• Comfortable being on site and close to details
• “Builder mentality” — not a boardroom-only executive
• Pragmatic, decisive, and accountable

Language

• Bilingual (Arabic & English) – mandatory

What This Role Is NOT

• Not a pure strategy or governance role
• Not a passive asset management position
• Not suitable for candidates without direct warehouse development experience

Engagement

This is a confidential executive search.

Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates under NDA.