Head of Project Development Services (PDS) - UAE

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.  

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong.  Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

Head of Project and Development Services (PDS), UAE

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way

We're JLL—a leading professional services and investment management firm specializing in real estate. We have operations in over 80 countries and a workforce of over 105,000 individuals around the world who help real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. As a global Fortune 200 company, we also have an inherent responsibility to drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility. That's why we're committed to our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world. We're using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people, and our communities.

JLL REMS – Real Estate Management Services

JLL REMS partners with leading organizations across industry sectors, creating environments that achieve a more human-centric, resilient, and responsible approach to shaping a better world of work. With more than 89,000 specialists globally, the team enables clients to enhance the performance of their real estate portfolios and people to realize their ambitions for a more sustainable built environment. Through technology enabled solutions, REMS creates safe and inspiring spaces around the world for people to collaborate, innovate, and drive meaningful change anywhere that work is performed. JLL manages over 1.6 billion square feet of real estate and has averted more than 112,700 metric tons of CO2 emissions by advising clients on renewable energy projects. Primary service offerings include facilities management, sustainability initiatives, project & development services, transactions management, occupancy planning, and lease administration. Our vast multi-year relationships span clients across all industries including technology, industrial, financial services, public institutions, life sciences, and healthcare.

What this job involves

Leading the UAE Project and Development Services (PDS) business, owning the business strategy, annual budget and the allocation of capital and OpEx to deliver the growth plan. There is an expectation that the business organically grows greater than 10% each year and establishes a market leading position across the UAE by 2026. The role will lead the creation and implementation of strategic and operational business plans for UAE PDS, aligned with JLL PDS globally and JLL REMS regional goals, combined with leading the development of global and local PDS products to support the growth and development of the business.

Key to success will be attracting, leading and coaching a team of industry leading professionals while developing the next generation of PDS leadership. Operating as an integral member of the regional JLL REMS and Global PDS leadership, the role will be responsible for connecting with colleagues from across JLL to sell the value of PDS to other parts of the business, combined with driving scale and efficiency through the UAE and Global PDS operating platform. Importantly, the role will navigate and resolve local and regional conflicts. Thinking big and getting the difficult things done are pre-requisites.

As the Head of UAE PDS, you will have the opportunity to lead, shape and execute business operations across the UAE market, reporting into the Head of PDS.

What your day-to-day will look like

Strategic Leadership & Business Performance

Overall accountability for the UAE PDS business strategy and annual plan, including the allocation of capital and operational expenditure. Chair the UAE PDS leadership forum, owning its purpose and creating an effective forum of leaders to drive the business forward. Develop and deliver a clearly defined business strategy for PDS growth in the UAE, and thereafter execute through the UAE PDS leadership team. Own and execute the UAE PDS capital and M&A plan.

Client Relationships & Business Development

Nurture, develop and maintain new business relationships with external clients across the UAE market. Drive new sales and business development by generating and exploiting market opportunities. Work closely with local transactional sales specialists as well as the JLL REMS sales and solutions development team. Lead the development and engagement with the JLL Product team to ensure relevant PDS products are developed and scaled across the market.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

Lead a team of high-performing project, construction and design professionals to deliver on our strategy. Coach and develop the next generation of leaders while engaging and motivating a diverse workforce. Attract external talent to JLL and role model inclusive leadership across the organization.

Operational Excellence & Integration

Connect UAE PDS seamlessly across the firm, working with multiple stakeholders within a matrixed environment. Break through operational silos to achieve business and client goals. Drive digitization of the business through embedding digital and technology solutions and data analytics for enhanced productivity and client service.

Sustainability & Safety

Embed sustainability within PDS's operating framework, tools and technologies to support JLL's sustainability ambitions. Champion health and safety in all aspects of our work, driving a culture of high integrity that upholds JLL's strong ethical standards.

Knowledge

Deep understanding of the real estate sector, project and construction management processes, and the JLL REMS business. Up to date working knowledge and analysis of the competitive landscape within the UAE. Expertise in PDS governance and contracts, ethical and commercial considerations (profitability, margins) and effective risk management. Understanding of regional macroeconomic trends and their impact on the market (political, social, economic, technological, legal, environmental). Knowledge of One JLL structures, strategic priorities, and ways of working.

Desired Experience

Proven professional project manager with a record of delivering significant projects within the UAE or broader Middle East region. P&L responsibility with experience across both upside and downside market conditions. Experience leading a large team, ideally across multiple locations, and a track record of developing high performing teams and nurturing top talent. Operational experience in project and resource management, in particular managing and deploying human resource capacity to client delivery demand. Experience within a large, matrixed organization.

Attributes we are looking for

Comfortable with uncertainty with the ability to adapt and remain resilient in dynamic environments. Passion to embrace change and new learnings to stay nimble and future-ready. Culturally sensitive and adept at working at the local level within the UAE market context. Driven, goal-oriented and self-confident with strong collaborative and interpersonal skills. Tech and digital savvy with enthusiasm for innovation and emerging solutions.

Our Values

Our values define who we are, underscore our commitment to clients, and provide direction for everything we do:

Inspire – We are humble, inclusive, and energize people to follow our lead

Win Together – We work across JLL to deliver the best solutions to our clients, community, and planet

Simplify – We move fast by reducing complexity and setting clear direction

Be Intentional – We are courageous, decisive, resilient, and hold ourselves accountable

Be Future Ready – We are curious, agile, and resourceful to stay relevant and future-ready

Location

UAE

What you can expect from us

You'll join an entrepreneurial, inclusive culture where we succeed together—across the desk and around the globe. Where like-minded people work naturally together to achieve great things. Our Total Rewards program reflects our commitment to helping you achieve your ambitions in career, recognition, wellbeing, benefits and pay. We'll offer you a competitive salary and benefits package.

Join us to develop your strengths and enjoy a fulfilling career full of varied experiences. Keep those ambitions in sight and imagine where JLL can take you..

Location:

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process –  you may email us at [email protected]. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.