Arada | Director of Research & Strategy, Dubai

About us

At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive.

Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.

Role Purpose:

The Director of Strategy and Research plays a critical leadership role in transforming Arada into a more data-intelligent organization. This position is responsible for overseeing and managing global research initiatives in the real estate and adjacent sectors such as fitness, healthcare, education, F&B, hospitality, as well asmacro and micro economic trends, customer buying patterns, and innovations in urban development. The role also involves selecting and managing external consultants for independent studies and also driving the implementation of tools and processes that improve access to real-time, actionable data across the organization. The ideal candidate combines strong research skills with analytical capabilities and strategic thinking to empower senior leadership and the investment team with high-impact insights and recommendations. The role will also involve stakeholder management, both within the organization and externally, to align on strategy, advise leadership, support corporate strategy development and track the execution, and stay apprised of market intelligence.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Research Leadership

• Develop and execute Arada’s research agenda in alignment with corporate strategy, existing projects and emerging business opportunities.
• Oversee and enhance market intelligence efforts, and build an in-house platform for real-time data analysis & visualization.
• Prepare RFPs, select and manage external consultants supporting feasibility, high & best use studies, demand-supply analysis, product market fit study, product benchmarking, cost benchmarking, sales price benchmarking, across all markets & asset classes.
• Track policy, regulatory, and macroeconomic developments across Arada’s markets and assess their strategic impact
• Provide market and strategic inputs for investment committee papers, including new investments, joint ventures, partnerships, and M&A opportunities

Data-Driven Insights

• Deliver actionable insights through analysis of market trends, customer behavior, economic data, and competitor activity, across the sectors Arada operates in, but with a focus on real estate.
• Design and manage dashboards and reporting systems for leadership, ensuring insights are timely and user-friendly.
• Identify and implement AI and data tools that enhance the collection, processing, and distribution of real-time data across departments.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a strategic liaison with external research firms and consultants to support knowledge acquisition and innovation.
• Engage externally with industry bodies, government and regulatory stakeholders, and advisors to stay apprised of market intelligence

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing research team, fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and analytical rigor.

Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in Economics, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Business, Data Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in consulting, real estate research, data strategy, or urban development, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment, adjusting quickly as strategy and market evolve.
• Strong understanding of the UAE and broader GCC real estate markets.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable business recommendations.
• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Robust strategic analysis skills and financial modelling skills
• Proficiency in business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), advanced Excel, and spatial or statistical tools (e.g., GIS, Python, R).
• Exposure to multiple sectors (e.g., hospitality, healthcare, education, F&B) is an advantage.

Using GenAI in Your Application Process

To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.

Why join Arada?

At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.