Development Manager - Student Accommodation

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

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Job summary

The University of Sydney is seeking an experienced Development Manager - Student Accommodation to lead a multi-site program delivering up to 2,000 new student beds within University Infrastructure. Based at the Services Building (G12) on Darlington Campus, this full‑time, 5‑year role reports to the Project Director and oversees internal project managers and an Assistant Development Manager.

You will drive feasibility, business cases, approvals, procurement and budget, making senior‑level

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in property, project management, architecture, construction management, engineering, planning or related field.
• Extensive experience on large capital works across feasibility, planning and approvals, procurement, design and construction.
• Experience overseeing project managers and consultant teams on major capital projects in a complex, matrix organisation.
• Strong commercial acumen including development feasibilities, financial modelling, budgeting and business case development.
• Experience in procurement and contract management including contract administration and performance management.
• Proven leadership and ability to influence senior stakeholders in a large organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development activities across feasibility, planning, approvals, procurement, design and delivery.
• Oversee internal project managers and hold them to account for program, cost, quality and risk.
• Prepare business cases, feasibility studies and investment recommendations for governance and executive approval.
• Manage planning and approvals strategy with planning consultants and authorities.
• Oversee procurement of consultants and contractors from EOI to tender, evaluation and appointment.
• Supervise and develop the Assistant Development Manager, and contribute to the capability of the wider team.
• Represent the University with consultants, authorities and external partners, and support the Project Director with industry consultation activity.

Skills

People management

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Procurement knowledge

Contract management

Education

Property/Project management related degree

Job description

Full time, 5-year fixed term position. Located at the Services Building (G12) on Darlington Campus

Competitive salary package including 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney is seeking an experienced and motivated Development Manager - Student Accommodation to join the Property & Development team in University Infrastructure. You will lead development across a multi-site program delivering up to 2,000 new student beds. It is the largest infrastructure program the University has undertaken, and you will join at the start, as projects move from feasibility and planning into procurement, design and delivery. Reporting to the Project Director, you will oversee the internal project managers delivering each project, supervise an Assistant Development Manager, and drive the development outcomes: feasibility, business case, approvals, procurement and budget. You will make project-level decisions within approved delegations and bring clear recommendations to senior leadership on significant strategic, financial and contractual matters. This is a senior role in a small team, with real influence over how the program is shaped and delivered. The buildings you bring to life will be where thousands of students live, connect and spend some of the most formative years of their lives, for decades to come. This role supports flexible working arrangements subject to business requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will be to: lead development activities across feasibility, planning, approvals, procurement, design and delivery, in line with the University governance, procurement, sustainability and WHS requirements oversee the internal project managers delivering each project, holding them to account for program, cost, quality and risk prepare business cases, feasibility studies and investment recommendations for governance and executive approval. manage planning and approvals strategy, working with planning consultants and authorities manage procurement of consultants and contractors, from EOI and tender through evaluation, negotiation and appointment supervise and develop the Assistant Development Manager, and contribute to the capability of the wider team represent the University with consultants, authorities, industry bodies and external partners, and support the Project Director with industry consultation activity, including relevant industry bodies.

About you

a tertiary qualification in property, project management, architecture, construction management, engineering, planning or a related field extensive property development experience on large capital works across feasibility, planning and approvals, procurement, design and construction (student accommodation, build-to-rent or residential experience is highly regarded) demonstrated experience overseeing project managers and consultant teams on major capital projects within a complex, matrix organisation highly developed commercial acumen, including development feasibilities, financial modelling, budgeting and business case development expertise in procurement and contract management, including contract administration and consultant performance management highly developed senior stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience shaping strategy and recommendations in a large, complex organisation experience leading and developing staff, with sound judgement and the confidence to make decisions within delegations.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

Applications Close Tuesday 03 November 2026 11:59 PM

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.