Development Manager

DCOH; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

DCOH in Australia seeks a Darwin-based leader to drive major residential subdivision projects from feasibility through construction and completion. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage planning approvals, budgets and schedules, and mitigate risks across the development lifecycle.

Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills are essential to deliver high-quality developments on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead projects through all phases of development lifecycle
• Excellent communication, negotiation, stakeholder management and problem solving skills
• Strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities independently

Responsibilities

• Lead development projects from feasibility, planning and approvals through to construction and final delivery
• Prepare and monitor feasibilities, budgets, delivery programmes, cashflow forecasts and cost controls
• Identify and manage risks across the development lifecycle and implement mitigations
• Collaborate with legal and finance teams on contracts and commercial outcomes
• Oversee Development Applications and other regulatory approvals
• Coordinate external consultants and authorities across planning and delivery
• Drive value engineering to optimise cost, quality and constructability
• Build strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, authorities and internal teams
• Manage construction delivery, programming and project execution
• Monitor budgets, contractor claims and programme performance to ensure delivery
• Proactively resolve issues to minimise delays and overruns
• Prepare project status updates and risk assessments for senior management

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Leadership

Project coordination

Education

Tertiary qualification in Property Development/Construction Management/Civil Engineering/Urban Planning/PM

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Established in 1987, DCOH is an experienced construction and development company operating across residential, commercial, hospitality and real estate sectors.

We have a strong track record delivering complex projects, including award winning work such as the Charles Darwin University Danala Education and Community Precinct, recognised with a 2025 National Master Builders Award of Excellence.

With operations in both the Northern Territory and Victoria, we deliver high quality projects with a clear focus on buildability, programme certainty and strong on-site execution.

Driven by a commitment toBuilding Better, DCOH combines experience, innovation and disciplined execution creating lasting value for our clients, partners and the communities we serve.

WHO YOU ARE

This Darwin-based role will lead the successful delivery of major residential subdivision projects from feasibility through to construction and completion.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Tertiary qualifications in Property Development, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Project Management, or a related discipline
• Proven experience (5+ years) delivering medium to large-scale residential development projects from feasibility through to construction and completion
• Strong understanding of development feasibilities, financial modelling, budgeting, cashflow forecasting, and commercial performance
• Comprehensive knowledge of planning approvals, Development Applications (DAs), contract management, and construction delivery
• Experience managing multidisciplinary consultant teams, contractors, authorities, and key project stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead projects through all phases of the development lifecycle, from concept and approvals through to delivery
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify, assess, and manage project risks and opportunities
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across development, construction, sales, marketing, finance, and legal stakeholders
• Excellent communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and drive project outcomes

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead development projects from feasibility, planning, and approvals through to construction and final delivery
• Prepare, monitor, and manage project feasibilities, budgets, delivery programmes, cashflow forecasts, and cost controls
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks throughout the development lifecycle, implementing mitigation strategies where required
• Liaise with legal and finance teams to support project negotiations, contracts, and commercial outcomes
• Oversee the preparation and submission of Development Applications and other regulatory approvals
• Manage and coordinate external consultants including planners, engineers, surveyors, landscape architects, and relevant authorities
• Drive design review processes to optimise cost, quality, and constructability outcomes
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, authorities, community groups, and internal stakeholders
• Manage civil contractors and consultants through construction delivery, programming, and project execution
• Monitor project budgets, contractor claims, programme performance, and delivery outcomes to ensure successful project execution
• Proactively resolve project issues to minimise delays, cost overruns, and delivery risks
• Coordinate contractors, consultants, and internal teams to ensure effective project delivery during construction
• Prepare and present project status updates, financial reports, and risk assessments to senior management and stakeholders
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement value engineering initiatives where appropriate
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional development across project teams