Head of Real Estate Development (Vientiane)

About the role

A publicly listed financial services group headquartered in Vientiane, Laos, with a nationwide branch network, is looking to appoint a Head of Real Estate Development to set up and lead its new real estate development business. The role is based in Vientiane and requires the holder to relocate there full-time.

Key responsibilities

• Set up the unit: design its structure, investment criteria, approval process and first-year budget, and hire a small core team including Lao staff.
• Sourcing and screening land, assessing company-owned and third-party sites and determining their highest and best use.
• Build development appraisals (GDV, cost, IRR, payback) and structure JV, land-contribution and profit- or rent-sharing deals with landowners.
• Select and manage developers, architects, contractors, project managers and sales agents, including regional firms entering Laos.
• Handle title checks, zoning, building permits and condominium registration through local counsel and the Lao team.
• Control cost, schedule and quality as owner's representative through to handover.
• Develop pricing and sales strategies for off-plan and completed properties, land plots and leasing, and coordinate buyer financing.
• Work with Finance on project finance, presale cash flow and bank or investor funding.
• Report regularly to management and the Board on pipeline, project status and returns.

Required profile

• Owner-side developer with a full-cycle track record in emerging Southeast Asian markets, willing to live and work in Vientiane.
• Proven experience in real estate development or investment, including leading projects or a development team.
• At least two projects delivered end to end (land to sale or stabilised lease) such as condominiums, offices, mixed-use or housing, with figures the candidate can explain.
• Experience in a developing or frontier market (e.g. Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, regional Thailand) where titles, permits and contractors need hands-on handling.
• Business-fluent English and ability to work with local counsel and a Lao team.

Required skills

• Development appraisal and deal structuring, including JV, land-contribution and profit-sharing arrangements.
• Selection and management of contractors, designers and sales agents, including cost and quality control.

What we offer

• Competitive, negotiable salary based on experience.
• Housing and mobile phone/SIM allowances.
• Company-provided visa and work permit support, insurance and flight tickets.
• Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, plus Saturday mornings (one-hour lunch break).
• 15 days annual leave per year, starting from the second year of employment.