Property Development & Construction Manager

Melford Capital Advisers Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Job summary

Melford Capital Advisers Ltd is seeking a Property Development & Construction Manager to drive the successful delivery of complex property development projects from planning through to completion. You will oversee procurement, contract administration, cost control, and financial management to ensure on-time delivery within budget and to high-quality standards.

You will collaborate with Partners, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders, leading contract negotiations, programme management, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Real Estate Development, Construction Management or related discipline.
• Chartered status (MRICS, MCIOB, MAPM, or equivalent) desirable.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in property development, construction management, project management, or related field.
• Proven track record delivering development projects valued at £15m+.
• Experience reviewing contractor valuations, cost reports and project cashflows.
• Experience working with JCT contracts and managing contractual risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement of contractors, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Manage tender processes, evaluations, and contractor selection.
• Negotiate commercial terms and appointments for best value and outcomes.
• Prepare and administer JCT and other construction contracts.
• Manage change control procedures and project documentation.
• Review variations, extensions of time, and loss and expense submissions.
• Coordinate procurement strategies with budgets and programmes.
• Maintain relationships with contractors and supply chain partners.
• Oversee construction delivery from mobilisation to practical completion.
• Monitor performance against programme, budget, and quality requirements.
• Chair site, progress, commercial, and consultant meetings.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams (architects, engineers, QS, PMs).
• Review programmes and critical path activities; ensure designs and specs are met.
• Identify and resolve construction, programme, and technical issues.
• Oversee practical completion, commissioning, handover, snagging, and defects.
• Prepare budgets, cashflow forecasts, and financial updates for Partners.

Skills

Procurement

Contract management

Cost control

Programme management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's degree in Real Estate Development, Construction Management or related discipline

MRICS/MCIOB/MAPM or equivalent (desirable)

Tools

JCT contracts familiarity

Job description

Property Development & Construction Manager

Job Summary

The Property Development Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of property development projects from planning approval and pre-construction through to practical completion, handover, and final account settlement. The role has a strong focus on procurement, construction delivery, commercial control, and financial management, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Working closely with Partners, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders, the Property Development & Construction Manager will take ownership of project delivery, contract administration, cost control, programme management, and construction performance across multiple developments.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Contract Management

• Lead the procurement of contractors, consultants, and specialist subcontractors.
• Manage tender processes, tender evaluations, and contractor selection.
• Negotiate commercial terms and appointments to achieve best value and project outcomes.
• Prepare, review, and administer JCT and other construction contracts.
• Manage contractual obligations, change control procedures, and project documentation.
• Assess and negotiate variations, extension of time claims, and loss and expense submissions.
• Ensure procurement strategies align with project budgets, programmes, and business objectives.
• Maintain strong relationships with contractors and supply chain partners.

Construction Delivery

• Manage projects through the construction phase from site mobilisation to practical completion.
• Monitor contractor performance against programme, budget, quality, and contractual requirements.
• Chair and attend regular site, progress, commercial, and consultant meetings.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and project managers.
• Review and monitor construction programmes and critical path activities.
• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with approved designs, specifications, and planning requirements.
• Proactively identify and resolve construction, programme, and technical issues.
• Oversee practical completion, commissioning, handover, snagging, and defects management processes.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between all project stakeholders.
• Prepare, manage, and monitor project budgets, cost plans, and cashflow forecasts.
• Review development appraisals and monitor project viability throughout delivery.
• Manage project expenditure and ensure robust financial controls are maintained.
• Review and approve contractor payment applications, valuations, and consultant invoices.
• Monitor cost reports and financial performance against approved budgets.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering and cost savings while maintaining quality standards.
• Manage development finance drawdowns and lender reporting requirements.
• Prepare financial updates and performance reports for Partners and stakeholders.
• Support final account negotiations and project close-out processes.
• Maximise project profitability and return on investment.

Development & Project Management

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously across various stages of delivery.
• Develop and maintain project programmes and delivery strategies.
• Monitor project risks and implement mitigation measures.
• Coordinate planning condition discharge and pre-construction requirements where necessary.
• Ensure compliance with statutory obligations, building regulations, and planning requirements.
• Provide regular project reporting to Partners and investors.
• Support acquisition and feasibility assessments from a construction and delivery perspective.

Health, Safety & Quality

• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and all relevant legislation.
• Monitor contractor health and safety performance across all projects.
• Undertake regular site inspections to ensure quality standards are achieved.
• Manage quality assurance processes and defect resolution.
• Ensure projects meet all regulatory, warranty, and compliance requirements.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong leadership and team collaboration
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure
• High attention to detail and quality standards
• Strategic thinking and creative problem-solving

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with contractors, consultants, local authorities, funders, and operational teams.
• Manage consultant teams and external advisers throughout project delivery.
• Provide clear and concise reporting to Partners, investors, and funding institutions.
• Coordinate decision-making processes to ensure projects remain on programme.
• Act as the primary point of contact for project-related delivery matters.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Real Estate Development, Construction Management or related discipline.
• Chartered status (MRICS, MCIOB, MAPM, or equivalent) desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years' experience in property development, construction management, project management, or a related field.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering development projects valued at £15m+.
• Strong experience in contractor procurement, contract administration, and commercial management.
• Demonstrable experience managing projects through the construction and completion phases.
• Experience reviewing contractor valuations, cost reports, and project cashflows.
• Experience working with JCT contracts and managing contractual risk.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of construction methodologies and project delivery.
• Detailed knowledge of procurement strategies and contract administration.
• Excellent commercial and financial management skills.
• Experience preparing and managing project budgets and cashflow forecasts.
• Understanding of development appraisals and project viability.
• Knowledge of planning requirements, building regulations, and statutory compliance.
• Strong risk management and problem-solving capabilities.
• Procurement and contract negotiation.
• Commercial management and financial control.
• Budgeting and cashflow management.
• Leadership and stakeholder engagement.
• Strategic planning and decision-making.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Programme and risk management.
• Communication and reporting.

Success Metrics

• Projects delivered on time and within budget.
• Achievement of project profit and return targets.
• Effective management of procurement and contractor performance.
• Successful control of project costs and cashflow.
• Quality standards achieved at practical completion.
• Low levels of defects and post-completion issues.
• Positive stakeholder and investor feedback.
• Successful project handovers and final account settlements.

Working Conditions

• Office-based with regular site visits required
• Travel to sites, meetings, and events
• Some evening and weekend work for site inspections or meetings
• Competitive salary: £50,000 - £100,000 (dependent on experience)
• Performance-related bonus