Senior Development / Technical Manager

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is seeking a Senior Development / Technical Manager to oversee planning and technical delivery of projects, particularly in West London. The role involves managing the entire project lifecycle, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Ideal candidates will have a strong planning background, excellent communication skills, and experience in delivering residential developments.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering high-quality residential developments in West London.
• Strong grasp of London’s planning frameworks and policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning scheme development from concept through RIBA Stages 0–6.
• Build effective working relationships with local planning authorities.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Commercial Judgement

Communication

Project Management

Planning Expertise

Technical Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

RIBA qualification

Tools

BIM software

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Job description

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Senior Development / Technical Manager, london

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Client:

Y. T. REALTY GROUP LIMITED

Location:

london, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

4

Posted:

12.05.2025

Expiry Date:

26.06.2025

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Job Description:

We are looking for an experienced Senior Development / Technical Manager to lead on planning consents and technical delivery of our schemes as we grow our portfolio, particularly in West London.

This is a key strategic hire — ideal for someone who combines planning expertise with technical know-how, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.

As Senior Development / Technical Manager, you will take full responsibility for managing the planning and technical progression of our projects, ensuring smooth transitions from acquisition through to pre-construction. You will work closely with consultants, local authorities, architects, and internal teams to unlock value and de-risk delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert leadership across the full design and planning lifecycle, with a particular focus on West London boroughs, including a strong track record of securing planning approvals.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the London planning and design environment, understanding both local authority expectations and the wider regulatory landscape.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams and external consultants to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and deliver timely, well-informed solutions.
• Apply strong commercial judgement and legislative knowledge, including the Building Safety Act, principal designer obligations, and digitised golden thread requirements.
• Build effective working relationships with UK-based and Mandarin-speaking colleagues to ensure seamless communication and reporting.
• Maintain up-to-date awareness of national and local planning policy, emerging legislation, and best practices, ensuring full compliance and proactive adaptation.
• Support cross-functional areas of the business where required, demonstrating flexibility, initiative, and a collaborative spirit.
• Promote a healthy company culture, driving excellence, innovation, and sustainable development practices across all projects.
• Adapt to a range of procurement methods and contribute to ongoing improvements in delivery, cost-efficiency, and project outcomes.

Main Responsibilities

I. Project Lifecycle Management: Planning & Design

• Conduct preliminary site research and feasibility analysis, including assessments of planning risk, site constraints, and development potential.
• Work with external consultants to understand context-specific factors such as protected views, listed buildings, housing needs, and competitor positioning.
• Contribute to land acquisition due diligence with detailed planning and design insights, informing investment and risk decisions.
• Lead planning scheme development from concept through RIBA Stages 0–6, coordinating architects, engineers, and designers to achieve commercially viable and aesthetically sound outcomes.
• Promote the use of innovative tools, such as parametric design (e.g., Grasshopper) and VR technology, to enhance design presentation and customer engagement.
• Oversee technical compliance with UK building regulations, including Future Homes Standards, Part L, Part E, and the Building Safety Act.

II. Stakeholder Engagement & Community Involvement

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local planning authorities, statutory bodies, and building warranty providers (e.g., NHBC), particularly in target areas like OPDC.
• Guide the design and integration of affordable housing and mixed-use elements, aligning with housing associations and planning obligations.
• Organise and participate in community consultation meetings, gathering local feedback, addressing concerns, and amending proposals where feasible to build public support.
• Support the delivery of community benefit programmes (e.g., via Section 106 obligations), promoting local engagement and positive social impact.

III. Cross-Departmental and External Coordination

• Ensure effective collaboration across internal teams (design, marketing, commercial) and external consultants through structured communication channels (e.g., BIM coordination).
• Work closely with procurement and cost teams to ensure that designs are deliverable within budget, programme, and supply chain limitations.
• Manage and assess relationships with design consultants, material suppliers, and technical service providers, promoting long-term strategic partnerships where appropriate.
• Contribute technical expertise to land bids, enhancing project competitiveness and feasibility from the outset.

IV. Innovation and Industry Leadership

• Lead internal R&D initiatives (e.g., sustainable building technologies, smart systems), supporting product development and long-term innovation.
• Represent the company at industry events, staying informed of construction trends and policy changes to maintain our position at the forefront of the built environment.
• Proactively identify and manage technical risks in site constraints and engineering challenges (e.g., shallow foundations, utilities crossings).
• Assess the viability of new materials, systems, and construction methods, balancing innovation with risk and cost.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with evolving standards, such as the Future Homes Standard 2025, and pre-emptively adapt design strategies.
• Manage and resolve design disputes and client concerns professionally, protecting the company’s reputation and upholding service quality.

Experience & Skills Required

• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in delivering at least one high-quality residential development in West London, with a deep understanding of London’s full planning and design approval process.
• Local Expertise: Up-to-date knowledge of the West and South-West Inner London property landscape, with active project involvement and clear evidence of value creation.
• Planning & Policy Insight: Strong grasp of London’s planning frameworks and policies, able to provide strategic guidance to support fast-paced land acquisition and long-term project success.
• Market Awareness: Commercially astute, with an informed perspective on London’s evolving development environment and regional planning trends.
• Customer-Centric Thinking: Insight into buyer behaviour and preferences, coupled with sound professional judgment and a market-sensitive approach to design and delivery.
• Industry Foresight: Awareness of global and national trends in construction, with a forward-thinking mindset that supports technological innovation, sustainability, and long-term business growth.
• Personal Qualities: Highly responsible, resilient, and execution-focused, with excellent communication skills, a desire for continued professional development, and a readiness to embrace challenges.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English required; proficiency in Mandarin is an advantage but not essential.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture, Urban Planning, or a related discipline. A professional qualification such as RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) or CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) is highly desirable.
• Technical Proficiency: While design work is delivered externally, a strong working knowledge of BIM software (e.g., Revit), design tools (AutoCAD, SketchUp), and building performance analysis software is expected. Solid understanding of UK Building Regulations and BREEAM sustainability standards is essential.
• Project & Team Management: Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and collaborating across departments. Ideally PRINCE2-certified or equivalent, with the ability to balance design innovation with commercial priorities and delivery timelines.

Why Join Us?

We are an ethical and progressive employer which encourages a culture of openness, creativity and continuous professional development and which rewards the effectiveness and loyalty of our employees as an equal opportunities employer. You will be part of a passionate, collaborative and innovative team that values your expertise and contributions. With exciting growth plans, now is a great time to be part of our history.

If you are a proactive and results-driven professional ready to take your career to the next level, we would love to hear from you!

As a UK start-up business, the role is very much hands on, diverse and variable and therefore the above responsibilities are not exhaustive and are likely to change as the business develops, offering exceptional experiences for the right person. We are reliant upon all individuals assisting in the successful growth of the UK Business.

If you are applying to work within Y.T. Realty Group, we will ask you to supply us with sufficient personal information to help us process your application. To learn more about what personal information we will need to process and why, please ask for our privacy notice.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Disclaimer: We are not employing any Recruitment Consultants or Agencies for this role and therefore will not accept any unsolicited approaches from Recruitment Companies or their Employees. Any candidate information sent will be considered a gift, and we will not be liable for any introduction/placement fee.