Senior Development Manager

Capstone Recruitment; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Capstone Recruitment is seeking a Development Manager (or Senior Development Manager) to join a fast-growing private developer based in Melbourne. You will take ownership of acquisitions and lead development lifecycles from post-acquisition to delivery, maintaining strong tenant engagement throughout.

You will collaborate with in-house teams across design, planning, finance and project management to deliver 5–8 projects concurrently within a highly collaborative, office-based environment in

Qualifications

• Experience across retail, commercial, industrial, childcare or similar asset classes.
• Strong understanding of managing tenants through the development process.
• Full lifecycle development experience.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commercially astute with strong feasibility capability.

Responsibilities

• Support the acquisitions team with feasibility and development input.
• Work with secured tenants and the in-house design team to finalise design outcomes.
• Oversee the town planning process, supported by an in-house Planning Manager.
• Manage feasibility and financial performance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work closely with the in-house project management team through tender and construction.
• Maintain tenant engagement through delivery and handover.

Skills

Project management

Tenant engagement

Multi-project management

Feasibility analysis

Commercial acumen

Job description

The Company

Our client is an established and fast-growing private developer specialising in smaller-scale mixed-use freehold assets. Headquartered in Melbourne's South Yarra, they develop, own and manage their own portfolio, with an impressive and expanding pipeline across the East Coast. With in-house development, design, project management and finance teams, they offer a genuinely integrated platform and a highly collaborative environment. Culture is central to their success: professional, genuine and team-focused. This is an office-based role (five days a week) to support strong internal collaboration.

The Opportunity

Due to continued acquisitions, our client is looking to appoint a Development Manager or Senior Development Manager to join a high-performing team comprising a General Manager, two Development Managers and two Senior Development Managers. You will take ownership of projects post-acquisition, managing the development lifecycle through to delivery while maintaining strong tenant engagement throughout.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the acquisitions team with feasibility and development input.
• Work with secured tenants and the in-house design team to finalise design outcomes.
• Oversee the town planning process, supported by an in-house Planning Manager.
• Manage feasibility and financial performance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work closely with the in-house project management team through tender and construction.
• Maintain tenant engagement through delivery and handover.

Projects are typically new-build mixed-use assets, and you will manage approximately 5 to 8 projects concurrently which can vary in scale.

About You

• Experience across retail, commercial, industrial, childcare or similar asset classes.
• A strong understanding of managing tenants through the development process.
• Full lifecycle development experience.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commercially astute, with strong feasibility capability.

Culture Fit

This business values authenticity, collaboration and professionalism, and it shows: egos are left at the door in favour of a supportive, dynamic team culture. This role offers genuine exposure to one of Melbourne's most successful private developers, backed by stunning South Yarra offices and a strong forward pipeline. It is a rare opportunity to join an established, but growing platform with real long-term vision.