Development Manager

LiveWest Homes Limited; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working 2-3 days in office

26 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension contributions up to 9%

Health benefits

Learning & development

Cycle to work

Volunteer days

Job summary

LiveWest is seeking a Development Manager to lead delivery of development projects across Cornwall, guiding them from approval through construction to completion.

You will manage budgets, risk, quality and safety, coordinating with internal teams and external partners to ensure governance and successful handovers. This is a full-time role with hybrid working (2–3 days in the Tolvaddon office) and a 37-hour week.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Ability to assess and manage project risks effectively.
• Ability to prioritise a varied workload and meet performance targets.
• Experience in working with diverse stakeholders and resolving queries.

Responsibilities

• Deliver affordable, mixed tenure and open market development projects within budgets and plans.
• Manage project specifications, contracts and procurement processes with consultants and contractors.
• Monitor budgets, cash flow and milestones, flagging variances and risks.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, CDM and internal governance.
• Identify and manage project risks and cost changes.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Risk management

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Construction/Project Management qualification in housing

Job description

About The Role

We are looking for a Development Manager to join our Development and Investment team, helping us deliver high-quality new homes across Cornwall.

You will take responsibility for development projects from approval through construction to completion, ensuring they are delivered effectively, meet our quality standards and comply with internal and external requirements. Working with colleagues, consultants, contractors and other partners, you will help keep projects on track while carefully managing budgets, risk, quality and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the successful delivery of affordable, mixed tenure and open market development projects in line with agreed business plans and budgets.
• Manage project specifications, contracts and agreements, ensuring appropriate procurement processes are followed and consultants and contractors are effectively managed.
• Monitor project budgets, cash flow, financial commitments and programme milestones, taking prompt action where there are variances or risks to delivery.
• Ensure projects comply with relevant legislation, Homes England audit requirements, CDM regulations and internal governance requirements.
• Identify and manage project risks, escalating cost changes and other significant issues in line with delegated approval levels.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture and monitor safety throughout the construction programme.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure effective project governance, approvals, completion and handover.
• Support and motivate team members and use post-completion reviews and lessons learned to continuously improve future developments.

Why should I join LiveWest?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering new homes across Cornwall, taking ownership of a varied portfolio of development projects and seeing them progress from approval through construction to successful completion. You will work with a broad range of colleagues and partners, while using your commercial, technical and project management expertise to make a tangible contribution to our development programme.

This is a full time role working 37 hours per week.

Hybrid Working is available for this role working 2-3 days in the office dependent on business need. You will be based from our Tolvaddon office, with mobile working across developments throughout the Cornwall geography.

About The Candidate

To be successful in your application for the role of Development Manager, you will have the essential skills and experience for a Level 1 role and the following role specific skills and experience:

Essential skills:

• Strong communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Ability to assess and manage project risks effectively.
• Ability to prioritise a varied workload, meet performance targets and work effectively under pressure.
• Confidence in working with a wide range of stakeholders and resolving queries.
• Ability to use relevant business systems and confidently handle legal and financial information.

Essential experience:

• Experience of working within construction or property development, including managing complex development projects and budgets.

Essential knowledge:

• Knowledge of development processes, post-construction practices and contract law.
• Understanding of viability principles, risk management and property valuation.
• Familiarity with public body audit requirements and health and safety/CDM regulations.

Essential qualifications:

• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• A relevant qualification in Construction and/or Project Management in housing.

Please note, we are unable to provide CoS for this role; therefore, applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of this role without requiring a CoS.

About The Company

Our Reward and Benefits:

• Working Style:Hybrid working with 2 - 3 days in the office to support your work/life balance. *remove if scheme or office based
• Generous Annual Leave:Start with 26 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with length of service - and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days (pro rated for part time roles).
• Pension Contributions:Enjoy up to 9% employer contributions with our Defined Contribution scheme.
• Health Benefits and Perks:Access to a health care cash plan (worth up to £1,100 annually), virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, and retail discounts including access to a Blue Light Card.
• Learning and Development:Invest in your future with ongoing personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Family Support:Policies designed to help you balance work and family life, including a new child payment.
• Wellbeing Matters:Prioritise your health with mental health support, enhanced sick pay, wellness campaigns, and free flu jabs.
• Smarter Travel:Save with our Cycle to Work and Car Benefit schemes.
• Giving Back:Up to four paid volunteering days a year to support our communities.

About Us:

At LiveWest, we are united by a shared mission: to create a home for everyone. Each of us takes pride in playing our part in achieving this goal.

Our values guide everything we do - from how we work together to how we deliver exceptional services to our customers. Collaboration is at the heart of LiveWest, and we believe that we achieve more when we deliver together.

As one of the largest employers in the South West, our team of 1,800 talented colleagues provides a wide range of services to our 80,000 customers. We are passionate about nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for people within the communities we serve.

Inclusion at LiveWest:

We are committed to supporting our colleagues, giving them the autonomy and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we are building brighter futures for everyone.

Inclusion at LiveWest:

At LiveWest, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that our differences drive innovation, creativity, and excellence, and we strive to create an environment where all colleagues can thrive. As a proud member of Inclusive Employers, a Disability Confident Employer, and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are dedicated to supporting all our colleagues and ensuring that our workplace is welcoming and accessible to all.

We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. LiveWest is dedicated to equal opportunity and actively works to eliminate discrimination and promote diversity at all levels.

Join us in our mission to create vibrant and inclusive communities.

Make a difference with LiveWest, where every voice is heard, and every contribution is valued.

You can read more about Inclusion at LiveWest by visiting our website.