The role of a Certified Chief Development Officer – Real Estate (CCDO-RE) is integral to the planning, execution, and delivery of real estate development projects that shape urban landscapes, investment portfolios, and community growth. The Chief Development Officer in real estate leads all phases of the development lifecycle—from land acquisition and entitlements to design, construction, and handover—ensuring that each project is strategically aligned with market demands, financial targets, and long-term organizational goals. In an industry where timing, cost control, regulatory compliance, and vision must align seamlessly, development leadership is essential. The Certified Chief Development Officer – Real Estate (CCDO-RE) certification is a globally respected credential that affirms a professional’s ability to lead real estate development initiatives with precision, foresight, and strategic discipline.

The CCDO-RE certification, awarded by the American Institute of Real Estate Management (AIREM), represents the highest level of excellence in real estate development management. This credential validates a candidate’s ability to lead multidisciplinary development teams, manage stakeholders, navigate entitlement and permitting processes, control project budgets and timelines, and deliver successful projects across asset types. Certified professionals are recognized as key visionaries capable of turning raw land into thriving assets.

Certification Program Objectives:

• Design and lead real estate development strategies from land acquisition to project delivery across commercial, residential, and mixed-use properties.
• Manage feasibility analysis, due diligence, entitlement processes, and stakeholder negotiations.
• Oversee project budgeting, construction scheduling, vendor management, and design coordination.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and alignment with financial and environmental goals.
• Advise executive leadership on development pipeline strategy, site selection, and value creation opportunities.

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

To be considered for this certification, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Possess a Master’s degree from a recognized institution.
• Have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience at a senior management level.

Note: Exceptional candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree with at least 15 years of senior management experience may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Certifying Assessment / Examination:

To earn the Certified Chief Development Officer – Real Estate (CCDO-RE) certification, candidates must undergo a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation designed to assess their capabilities in real estate development leadership, technical project execution, and strategic alignment with organizational goals.

As part of this assessment, candidates may be required to deliver a 30-minute executive presentation incorporating development pipeline planning, feasibility modeling, entitlement risk management, construction phasing, and stakeholder engagement strategies. This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session to evaluate decision-making, leadership agility, and multidisciplinary coordination.

For candidates pursuing a C-Level Professional Certification, this assessment may be substituted with a comprehensive examination consisting of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed within a 3-hour timeframe. This examination rigorously evaluates the candidate’s depth of knowledge in project feasibility, pre-development analysis, construction oversight, real estate economics, and development finance.

The assessment methodology ensures that the American Institute of Real Estate Management (AIREM) maintains the highest standards of professional certification, recognizing leaders who can execute development strategies with vision and precision.

Certification Modules:

• Module 1: Development Strategy, Site Selection, and Land Acquisition Planning
• Module 2: Due Diligence, Feasibility Studies, and Entitlement Risk Management
• Module 3: Project Design Coordination, Budgeting, and Construction Oversight
• Module 4: Regulatory Approvals, Environmental Compliance, and Risk Mitigation
• Module 5: Executive Leadership in Development Pipeline Strategy, Stakeholder Alignment, and Project Delivery

* The modules of the certification are constantly updated and are subject to change.

Who Should Do This Certification:

The Certified Chief Development Officer – Real Estate (CCDO-RE) certification is ideal for real estate developers, project executives, construction strategists, and planning leaders responsible for managing large-scale real estate development initiatives.

• Experienced Development Executives: Senior development officers, project directors, and real estate strategists leading complex, multi-phase projects will gain advanced frameworks for coordination, compliance, and execution.
• Aspiring Development Leaders: Development managers, urban planners, and project coordinators preparing for senior roles will benefit from structured approaches to feasibility, stakeholder management, and delivery.
• Real Estate Entrepreneurs and Builders: Owners and founders developing their own projects or joint ventures will benefit from institutional-grade processes for risk control and execution.
• Institutional Development Professionals: REITs, private equity firms, and family offices managing large land banks and multi-asset developments will gain insight into scalable and sustainable development models.
• Public Sector and Urban Planning Officials: Government real estate officers, infrastructure development heads, and public-private partnership coordinators will benefit from best practices in entitlement, community engagement, and master planning.
• Consultants and Development Advisors: Professionals advising clients on zoning, design, project feasibility, or construction strategy will enhance their credibility and delivery methodology.

Earning the CCDO-RE certification signifies your expertise in turning vision into value—guiding real estate development from concept to completion with operational discipline, regulatory knowledge, and strategic leadership. Whether you’re executing urban redevelopment, master-planning a mixed-use district, or overseeing high-rise construction, this certification empowers you to lead with confidence and excellence in the built environment.