Chief Development Officer (Real Estates & Projects) at Smartcity Plc

Role Description

SmartCity Plc is seeking an accomplished Chief Development Officer (Real Estate & Projects) to establish and lead its Development Management Office (DMO) and provide executive oversight for the Company's real estate development portfolio.

Reporting directly to Executive Management, the successful candidate will be responsible for the full development lifecycle, from site identification, feasibility studies, land acquisition, planning, design coordination, statutory approvals, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project handover. The role will ensure the successful delivery of projects in line with approved timelines, budgets, quality standards, and commercial objectives.

As a member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Development Officer will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage external consultants and contractors, oversee project governance and performance, and drive continuous improvement across the development function. The role will also partner with the Human Resources function to build a high-performing technical team and strengthen the capabilities of the Development Management Office.

The successful candidate will cultivate strong relationships with investors, regulators, government agencies, financial institutions, consultants, contractors, and other strategic stakeholders while providing regular updates to Executive Management and the Board on project performance, key risks, and delivery milestones.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, lead, and continuously strengthen the Company's Development Management Office (DMO).
• Develop and execute the Company's development strategy across multiple real estate developments and future expansion projects.
• Provide executive oversight for the complete development lifecycle, including land acquisition, feasibility studies, master planning, design coordination, statutory approvals, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project handover.
• Drive project governance, programme management, budgeting, scheduling, cost optimisation, quality assurance, and risk management.
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams comprising architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, planners, project managers, contractors, consultants, and other technical professionals.
• Build a high-performing development organisation, working closely with the Human Resources function to recruit, develop, and retain key technical talent.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with investors, regulators, government agencies, consultants, contractors, financial institutions, and strategic partners.
• Provide regular executive reports on project performance, commercial outcomes, risks, and delivery milestones.
• Champion innovation, operational excellence, sustainability, and continuous improvement across all development activities.
• roven experience leading developments with a combined project value in excess of several billions of naira or equivalent.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years' progressive experience in real estate development, property development, or infrastructure delivery, including at least 7 years in an executive or senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in real estate development, with a proven ability to originate, plan, finance, and deliver large-scale property developments from concept through completion.
• Strong Strategic Planning skills, with a track record of translating vision into executable development roadmaps and project portfolios.
• Extensive leadership experience in real estate development, construction, or infrastructure projects, including managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial acumen, including development feasibility analysis, project financing, budgeting, cost control, and investment evaluation.
• Solid understanding of urban planning, regulatory approvals, land acquisition, and stakeholder management within the Lagos or broader Nigerian context.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage investors, partners, and public-sector stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; an advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., MRICS, PMP) is an advantage.
• Proven ability to work on-site, make timely decisions, and handle complex, fast-paced project environments.
• Proven experience leading developments with a combined project value in excess of several billion naira or equivalent.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a visionary development leader with a track record of turning ambitious concepts into successful developments. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with operational excellence, inspires high-performing teams, and has the credibility to engage investors, consultants, regulators, and executive leadership.

If you have successfully led major development programmes and are ready to shape the next phase of SmartCity's growth, we invite you to apply.