Development Manager - Essex

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A residential-led developer in Essex is seeking a Development Manager to lead high-profile projects ranging from 150 to 1200 units. The role involves appraising sites, managing planning applications, and overseeing joint ventures. Ideal candidates will have experience in leading urban developments and public/private partnerships, along with strong communication and financial skills. This position offers an opportunity for significant team management within an ambitious company.

Qualifications

• Experience managing projects through the development process.
• Strong financial and planning acumen.
• Leadership experience with major hybrid applications and regeneration.

Responsibilities

• Appraising potential development sites alongside land buying colleagues.
• Managing pre-apps and planning applications through the development process.
• Managing existing and future JVs and partnerships.
• Optimising sites through S73 and S96a's.
• Undertaking due diligence, development appraisals, feasibility and viability studies.
• Liaising with colleagues and managing external consultants.
• Negotiating S106 agreements.
• Discharging of conditions and dealing with RMAs.
• Assisting with CPO and land procurement work.
• Attending meetings for Planning Committee and related events.

Skills

Experience in leading major urban developments

Public/private partnerships and JVs

Excellent communication skills

Financial and planning acumen

Job description

Are you keen on working with a residential‑led developer, working on major partnerships and developments across Essex? Cobalt are working closely with a leading developer and are seeking a Development Manager to lead on these schemes which vary from 150 units up to 1200 units, often mixed‑use and complex in nature.

You will be involved in (among other responsibilities):

Responsibilities

• Appraising potential development sites alongside land buying colleagues for planning and development viability.
• Managing pre‑apps and planning applications through the development process, supporting by external planning consultants – submitting outline, hybrid and detailed applications.
• Managing the existing and future JVs and partnerships.
• Optimising sites through S73 and S96a's.
• Undertaking due diligence, development appraisals and feasibility and viability studies.
• Liaising with colleagues internally as well as managing external consultants.
• Negotiating S106 agreements.
• Discharging of conditions and dealing with RMAs.
• Assisting with CPO and land procurement work.
• Attending meetings for Planning Committee, Consultations and similar events in representation of both the Company and clients through the development process.

You will ideally:

Qualifications

• Have experience in a developer, leading on major urban developments.
• Have experience in public / private partnerships and JVs.
• Excellent communication, written and numerate skills.
• Be dedicated, a hard worker and team player.

This role will suit someone who is ready to take on a large team management role, and is keen to work for an ambitious and growing developer. You must have experience in managing projects through the development process with strong financial and planning acumen, ideally having led on major hybrid applications and regeneration.

Please apply here or give me (Adaora) a call to discuss. My client is looking to find the right candidate as soon as possible – so if in doubt, do get in touch. I also have other clients and roles that may be of interest.

If you do not hear anything back within one week, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion, but I will retain your details for future roles.

When applying to any role through Cobalt, your CV will never be shared with a client without your prior consent. Apply in confidence below or get in touch with me for a confidential discussion about the position via [e-mail].