Development
Development Director — Global Hiring Overview
Development Directors lead multi-project pipelines and developer business units — owning P&L, capital partners, and brand product strategy.
Median Salary
$225k
$162k – $315k
Demand Score
88/100
High
Monthly Openings
800
tracked globally
YoY Growth
+11%
rolling 12 months
Market Outlook
Demand for development directors in the global real estate market is robust. Real estate developers, brokerages, REITs, and operators report a 11% year-on-year increase in Development Director mandates, driven by the residential and mixed-use development pipeline, township buildouts, and global capital allocation to real estate.
Salary Trend
Development Director compensation typically falls between $162k and $315k, with experienced dev directors in the global real estate market commanding $315k+ at leading developers, REITs, brokerages, and PropTech operators. Total compensation often includes incentive structures, commissions, performance pay, and equity or carry where applicable.
Career Path
Development Directors typically progress to Real Estate Development Manager, Real Estate Project Director roles, or into development director, CEO, and developer business-unit leadership across the global hiring real estate market.
Key Responsibilities
- •Own development P&L and pipeline
- •Build capital and JV partnerships
- •Lead product and brand strategy
Qualifications
- •12+ years real estate development
- •Strong capital markets and JV experience
For Developers, REITs & Real Estate Employers
Hire qualified development directors on CosmoQuick
Developers, REITs, brokerages, property and facility managers, and PropTech operators use CosmoQuick to match with vetted development directors worldwide.
Development Director jobs by city
Development Director jobs in Dubai
1.6K openings · $297k
Development Director jobs in Abu Dhabi
1.2K openings · $288k
Development Director jobs in Sharjah
960 openings · $236k
Development Director jobs in Doha
1.2K openings · $293k
Development Director jobs in Riyadh
1.4K openings · $266k
Development Director jobs in Jeddah
1.2K openings · $252k
Development Director jobs in Singapore
1.5K openings · $326k
Development Director jobs in Hong Kong
1.2K openings · $333k
Development Director jobs in Kuala Lumpur
1.1K openings · $198k
Development Director salary insights
Development Director salary in Dubai
$297k
Development Director salary in Abu Dhabi
$288k
Development Director salary in Sharjah
$236k
Development Director salary in Doha
$293k
Development Director salary in Riyadh
$266k
Development Director salary in Jeddah
$252k
Development Director salary in Singapore
$326k
Development Director salary in Hong Kong
$333k
Development Director salary in Kuala Lumpur
$198k
Hiring by real estate industry
Residential Real Estate Developers hiring Development Directors
Residential developers building primary, secondary, and master-planned housing for buyers and renters worldwide
Commercial Real Estate Firms hiring Development Directors
Owners, developers, and operators of office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use commercial property
Luxury Real Estate Firms hiring Development Directors
Luxury developers, brokerages, and branded residence operators across global luxury markets
Industrial Real Estate Firms hiring Development Directors
Industrial and logistics developers, owners, and operators across global trade corridors
Retail Real Estate Firms hiring Development Directors
Mall owners, high-street operators, and retail-led mixed-use developers worldwide
Hospitality Real Estate Firms hiring Development Directors
Hotel owners, branded residence operators, and serviced apartment developers worldwide
Facility Management Firms hiring Development Directors
Integrated facility management, hard and soft services across commercial and residential assets
Property Management Firms hiring Development Directors
Multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use property managers worldwide
Real Estate Investment Firms hiring Development Directors
Funds, family offices, and institutional investors deploying capital across real estate
Related property sectors
Related real estate roles
Frequently Asked Questions
The median salary for a Development Director in the global real estate market is around $225k, typically ranging from $162k to $315k based on experience, asset class, and the real estate employer.