Real Estate Strategy & Market Intelligence Director

6 months Contract initially (can be extended long term)

Overview

We are supporting a confidential search for a Director-level Real Estate Strategy & Market Intelligence SME to operate within a highly visible senior leadership environment in the UAE.

This is a senior advisory role for an individual with deep UAE real estate market knowledge, strong strategic and commercial judgement, and the credibility to advise on market opportunities, investment-related decisions, and broader market transformation priorities. The role is not a hands-on delivery position, but it may require high-level oversight of execution where needed.

The successful candidate will bring a strong mix of real estate sector expertise, market intelligence capability, and consulting-style problem solving, with the ability to turn complex data and market dynamics into clear, executive-level recommendations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise senior leadership on market opportunities, risks, and strategic priorities
• Support investment-related thinking and decision-making
• Lead or oversee market intelligence, research, forecasting, and sector benchmarking
• Analyse market trends, reports, dashboards, and performance data to generate actionable insight
• Help shape market strategy and transformation initiatives
• Translate complex findings into clear executive narratives, presentations, and recommendations
• Provide senior-level oversight where required, while remaining primarily focused on advisory input rather than delivery

Candidate Profile:

• Fluent Arabic speaker is a plus
• 15 years of professional experience in the real estate market
• Strong track record in the UAE market
• Deep expertise within real estate
• Strong background in market intelligence, strategy, forecasting, data analysis, and investment insight
• Previous experience in consulting or advisory environments is strongly preferred
• Private sector experience is particularly attractive, especially candidates who can bring a fresh external perspective
• Experience from real estate advisory firms, property marketplaces, developers, or similar organisations would be highly relevant
• Background in Economics would be a strong advantage

Core Competencies:

• Deep understanding of the UAE real estate landscape
• Strong strategic and commercial mindset
• High level of data literacy and comfort working with reports, dashboards, and market insights
• Ability to turn data into clear, actionable recommendations
• Strong communication, storytelling, and presentation skills
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the gravitas to influence senior leadership
• Executive presence and comfort operating in a high-visibility environment

Reporting Line:

• Reports into a senior executive leadership office
• Works closely with the organisation’s most senior stakeholders

Salt is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.