Senior Development Director

Job Description

About the Company Ascentis is a leading program and project management consultancy dedicated to delivering exceptional client experiences through strategic leadership, innovative design solutions, and excellence in project delivery. About the Role Serve as the primary Ascentis lead for a large client program. Partner directly with client leadership (CEO, CFO, and executive stakeholders) to define development goals, align business objectives, and establish performance benchmarks. Responsibilities Lead internal cross-functional teams and external partners, including designers, contractors, and vendors. Translate client vision into actionable project and design briefs, ensuring clear articulation of project objectives, design intent, and user experience strategy. Lead preparation of Project Execution Plans, including scheduling, budgeting, phasing strategy, and procurement planning. Advise clients on project delivery strategies, design best practices, and technical compliance requirements. Drive value engineering and design optimization efforts in collaboration with in-house and third-party experts. Provide hands-on leadership during feasibility studies, concept design, and consultant selection stages. Ensure tight control of project timelines through rigorous program management, proactive risk analysis, and timely decision-making. Own the project budgeting process end-to-end—from initial feasibility assessments to final reconciliation—with clear cost control mechanisms at every phase. Drive accountability on cost and schedule across consultants, contractors, and internal teams. Champion disciplined execution to deliver projects on time and within agreed budgets, without compromising design quality or operational performance. Lead project delivery from concept design through procurement and construction. Ensure compliance with international quality standards, regulatory requirements, safety standards, and sustainability objectives. Lead project review meetings, site inspections, and executive-level reporting. Steer change management processes, cost reviews, and risk mitigation strategies. Mentor and lead a multidisciplinary team of project managers, design managers, planners, commercial managers, and construction professionals. Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, and excellence across all levels of the project team. Ensure continuous alignment between client expectations and internal delivery standards. Qualifications 20+ years of international experience in program and project management, with a proven track record of delivering large, complex developments on schedule and within budget. Strong background in the complete project development lifecycle, from feasibility and design through procurement and construction. Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary consultant teams and complex stakeholder environments. Deep understanding of procurement, cost control, construction logistics, and design coordination. Confident communicator with executive presence and high emotional intelligence. Prior experience leading multi-project or multi-asset portfolios is preferred. Experience managing projects in developing countries is preferred. Required Skills Strong program and project management skills. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership abilities. Proficiency in budgeting, commercial management, and cost control. Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities. Preferred Skills Experience delivering international projects across commercial, mixed-use, residential, healthcare, infrastructure, industrial, or institutional sectors. Knowledge of sustainable design and construction practices. Familiarity with international project delivery standards, procurement methodologies, and quality management systems. Equal Opportunity Statement Ascentis is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all candidates regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or background.