Senior Technical Development Manager - fluent in German

CBRE; Frankfurt; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE IM in Germany seeks a Senior Technical Development Manager to coordinate technical and execution aspects of real estate development projects, including turnkey and in-house developments, with emphasis on profitability, cost, time, and quality management.

The role reports to the Managing Director in Germany and works with a pan-European development team, coordinating with asset management to ensure successful project delivery within budget and schedule.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in development oversight for projects in different asset classes.
• Experience with large inner-city refurbishment projects (office/retail/residential).
• Fluent in German and very good English; strong communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead external consultants and the development management partner to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Establish and manage Project Briefs and technical specifications in collaboration with asset management and transaction teams.
• Oversee tendering processes for contractors and required advisors.
• Direct construction phase activities, review design documents, and approve change orders with stakeholders.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in construction engineering

Job description

Senior Technical Development Manager coordinates and controls the technical and execution aspects of assigned real estate development projects, resulting in the optimization of projects with regard to profitability, cost, time and quality management. Development projects include both turnkey projects as well as in-house developments.

Organization

The position reports to the Managing Director in Germany who is in charge of developments. The position works within a pan-European team of development managers and co-operates closely with the asset management teams in Germany for the sector where the project is situated.

Key Responsibilities

• Project design and evaluation: Participates in the project team from the initiative and/or acquisition phase onwards in close co-operation with the transaction and the asset management team. The Senior Technical Development Manager assesses feasibility, contributes ideas regarding implementation possibilities, initiates cost estimates to assess financial viability, and is involved in preparing investment proposals for internal approval. Initiates and proposes solutions concerning technical and organizational aspects that contribute to the optimal development of the project within financial, technical, and commercial constraints. This ultimately results in frameworks that are jointly agreed and documented internally.
• Select and lead external consultants and the development management partner: Engages and leads external consultants (such as cost consultants, structural engineers, MEP consultants, etc.) as well as the delegated development management partner where no external developer is in place and participates in the selection process of architects and/or urban planners. The Senior Technical Development Manager negotiates and makes decisions to achieve consensus regarding fees, cost allocation mechanisms, and contract terms. He/she subsequently manages and monitors the work and agreements of these external consultants and where required also the development management partner.
• Project Brief and technical specifications: Is responsible for establishing the Project Brief (Program of Requirements) in close co-operation with the asset management and the transaction team and for the preliminary cost estimate. Reviews the Concept Design, Preliminary Design, Detailed Design, and stage documents from a technical and execution. Responsible for the content and review of specifications, Technical Design, and, where applicable, Construction Documentation.
• Consults with external parties regarding the coordination of execution-related matters (such as regional safety authorities, fire departments, etc.).
• Stakeholder management: Periodically reports on and advises regarding progress during the construction phase, ensuring that internal stakeholders remain optimally informed about project status and that corrective actions can be taken in a timely manner when necessary. Responsible for delivering the project within budget, time and quality during the construction phase and, in cooperation with the finance department, preparing monthly progress reports (budget versus actuals).
• Tendering: Responsible for the tendering processes for contractors and installers, including any required advisors, among others.
• Project lead during the execution phase: From the Technical Design phase onwards, manages external project leaders and/or project managers and / or Project monitoring companies and directs them where necessary. Represents CBRE IM in construction meetings unless delegated. Reviews variation orders with external consultants and approval of change orders.
• Primarily responsible for preparing specifications and drawings, technical design, construction design, and determining construction phasing and sequencing.
• Responsible for project delivery. Within delegated authority, decides on construction and technical quality, finances, progress monitoring, and the documentation and approval of agreements, coordinating these matters with the asset management team.
• Where applicable, instructs and oversees partners for preparing, developing, reviewing, and adjusting project subdivision structures (owners' associations / condominium structures) to achieve the optimal legal and operational structure for CBRE IM.

Profile

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in development oversight for projects in different asset classes
• Experience in managing large and complex inner-city refurbishment projects with office, retail or residential use
• Experience with newly built projects in logistics and/or residential
• Senior professional with the ability to steer complex project teams with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to oversee and steer projects at a high level and to work on several projects in parallel
• Commercial Acumen: Strong ability to read and interpret construction contracts from a risk and investment perspective.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to scrutinize development appraisals and identify variances between actual and forecasted project performance.
• Communication: Proven ability to manage senior-level relationships with external development and / or project partners and influence decision-making without having direct line management authority.

Education

• University-level education and working/thinking capability.
• Degree in construction engineering

Additional Knowledge Requirements

• Knowledge of construction processes and building engineering.
• Knowledge of the real estate development market and its stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the operation of mixed-use buildings (e.g., retail, office, logistic and residential properties).
• Knowledge of construction law and spatial planning regulations.
• Knowledge of project management.
• Basic knowledge of building services engineering and fire safety in commercial and residential buildings.
• Knowledge on job cost (YARDI) is advantageous (but not a must)
• Fluent in German and very good level of English both verbal and in writing.

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