Development Manager (6m FTC)

Paradigm Housing Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing organization in the United Kingdom is looking for a Project Manager to oversee a portfolio of development projects. This role requires management from inception to completion, ensuring compliance with various requirements and delivering high-quality outcomes. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a construction-related field and strong understanding of affordable housing processes. This is a 6-month fixed-term contract, within a collaborative environment offering an opportunity to make a significant impact.

Benefits

Annual salary: £72,610 per annum

25 days holiday, increasing with service

Generous pension scheme

Family-friendly leave benefits

Health cash plan

Hybrid working

Paid professional subscription

Funded training and qualifications

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a construction-related discipline.
• Strong understanding of affordable housing and development processes.
• Experience in main contractor/subcontractor procurement.
• Full driving licence and access to a car.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of development projects from inception to completion.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, legal, audit, and health & safety requirements.
• Provide monthly progress reports, highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Conduct project evaluations and lessons-learned reviews.

Skills

Strong understanding of affordable housing

Excellent communication and influencing skills

Strong literacy, numeracy and IT skills

Commercial approach to contract management

Strong cross-organisational collaboration skills

Experience using structured project management approaches

Knowledge of contract legislation

Understanding of development appraisal methodology

Education

Degree-level qualification in a construction-related discipline

Job description

You'll report to the Head of Project Delivery and work alongside a talented team of Development Managers, Design & Quality specialists, New Business colleagues, Sales teams and Aftercare. Together, you'll ensure each project progresses through the development lifecycle with strong commercial oversight, robust risk management and a relentless focus on quality.

You'll coordinate external consultants, contractors and housebuilders, ensuring compliance with contractual, legal, financial and health & safety requirements. You'll also maintain accurate scheme files, manage budgets, monitor risks and ensure all documentation meets audit and Homes England standards.

This is a collaborative, cross-functional role where you'll influence decisions, solve problems and help deliver homes that residents are proud to live in.

This role is offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract to provide cover during a period of long-term sickness absence.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of development projects from inception to completion
• Ensure projects meet Paradigm's requirements across contractual compliance, programme, legal, audit, health & safety and quality
• Provide monthly progress reports, highlighting risks, opportunities and variances
• Work closely with Design & Quality, New Business, Sales and Aftercare teams
• Carry out financial appraisals and maintain accurate cost forecasts
• Manage project budgets, raise purchase orders and receipt completed works
• Ensure compliance with standards, policies, procedures and statutory requirements
• Maintain accurate scheme files for audit, Homes England and charging requirements
• Complete and maintain project risk assessments and risk registers
• Oversee Employer's Agent and Clerk of Works activity, escalating issues as needed
• Ensure all projects comply with health & safety procedures
• Support customer issue resolution and manage end-of-defects processes
• Conduct project evaluations and lessons‑learned reviews to drive improvement

Must haves

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a construction-related discipline
• Strong understanding of affordable housing, development processes and planning
• Commercial approach to contract management with third parties
• Experience using structured project management approaches
• Strong literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Knowledge of contract legislation
• Understanding of development appraisal methodology and financial monitoring
• Experience in main contractor/subcontractor procurement
• Market and tender awareness
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Strong cross‑organisational collaboration skills
• Full driving licence and access to a car

Nice to haves

• Strong knowledge of construction contract types
• Membership of CIOB, RICS or similar
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification

Benefits

• Annual salary: £72,610 per annum
• 25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
• Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
• Family‑friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids' cover)
• Life cover and income protection
• Hybrid working – modern offices, free parking & EV charging
• 30+ qualified Mental Health First Aiders
• Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues)
• Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
• 3 paid volunteering day
• Peer‑recognition rewards platform
• Paid professional subscription (one per year)

Working Hours

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday

Hybrid working: 2-3 days per week in the office or on site, 2-3 days from home

Site visits will be required across our operating area (Bucks, Beds, Herts and surrounding areas)

Where could this role take you?

Whilst this role is to cover a period of long‑term sickness, in a business our size and with the transformation we are going through, there is a possibility that this could either be extended or other suitable opportunities may arise. Many of our talented colleagues started at SettleParadigm as temporary/interim and have gone on to forge successful careers with us. However, if something longer term doesn't materialise, you will still gain valuable experience which will add to your employ‑ability in this and similar fields.

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio‑economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from under‑represented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.