Development Manager

Deverell Smith Recruitment Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established residential developer seeks a Development Manager in London. You will manage multiple projects from inception to completion, oversee financial appraisals, and lead town planning processes. Ideal candidates will have residential development experience, preferably in London, and a degree in a relevant field. This role provides the opportunity to contribute to creating affordable housing for the community.

Qualifications

• Proven residential development experience, ideally within London and across multiple tenure types.
• Strong understanding of town planning processes and local authority engagement.
• Commercially astute with excellent financial and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple development projects from inception to construction completion.
• Lead the town planning process, including stakeholder engagement.
• Negotiate and manage third-party agreements.

Skills

Residential development experience

Financial analysis

Town planning processes

Stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Real Estate, Planning, Development or similar

MRICS qualification

Job description

Development manager

deverellsmith is proud to be exclusively partnering with a well‑established residential developer dedicated to creating affordable, high‑quality homes for Londoners. The business has built a strong reputation for delivering innovative housing solutions that balance design quality, sustainability, and community value.

We are seeking a Development Manager with experience in London residential development to support the Head of Development .

The role

• Manage multiple development projects (typically 2-3) from inception to construction completion.
• Take ownership of financial appraisals and ensure performance aligns with profitability and programme objectives.
• Assemble and manage professional consultant teams through RIBA Stages 0-3, including appointments, instructions, and regular design team meetings.
• Lead the town planning process, including stakeholder engagement, local authority liaison, and public consultation.
• Represent the business at planning committees and lead negotiations on Section 106 agreements.
• Manage the smooth handover between the land acquisition team and project management team.
• Ensure satisfaction of land contract and funder conditions to enable drawdowns.
• Negotiate and manage third‑party agreements and maintain key external relationships.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams across finance, design, and project management to ensure aligned delivery.

Person Specification

• Degree‑educated, ideally in a relevant field (Real Estate, Planning, Development, or similar).
• MRICS qualification desirable.
• Proven residential development experience, ideally within London and across multiple tenure types.
• Strong understanding of town planning processes and local authority engagement.
• Commercially astute with excellent financial and analytical skills.
• Collaborative team player with an eye for detail and ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
• Genuine interest in and empathy for the company's mission to provide affordable homes for Londoners.