Development Manager

Role Overview

Development Manager at Retal. The Development Manager will manage real estate development projects across the full development lifecycle, from opportunity identification and feasibility through planning, design, construction delivery, commissioning, and handover, acting as a key bridge between investors, internal functions, consultants, contractors, partners, and authorities.

Role Purpose

The Development Manager is responsible for leading and managing project developments (potentially multiple projects depending on scale) from start to finish, including commercial management, project management, and stakeholder management to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to approved quality standards. The role also participates on a need basis in project identification, evaluation, and business development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Development Planning & Business Case Development

• Prepare and update development briefs, project scope, objectives, programs, budgets, timelines, and key deliverables.
• Contribute to business plans and strategic project planning.
• Develop project business cases in coordination with Finance, Legal, Strategy, and Commercial teams.
• Support project identification, evaluation, and business development opportunities on a need basis.

Market Research & Feasibility

• Conduct market research, competitor benchmarking, land-use analysis, and planning and policy reviews to support project decisions.
• Undertake development appraisals and feasibility studies (financial, commercial, technical) in coordination with finance and financial analysis teams.
• Assess project profitability, funding and financing strategies, and costing scenarios across different deal structures including mixed-use, market-rate, affordable, and commercial components where applicable.
• Track key market and project data (construction costs, transactions, pricing trends, absorption indicators) influencing investment decisions.

Site Acquisition & Due Diligence

• Support identification of potential new projects and land and site acquisition opportunities, including monitoring relevant market channels and portals.
• Undertake site-level and forensic due diligence to support acquisition and investment decisions.
• Attend site visits and coordinate technical and commercial assessments as required.
• Identify project and partnership opportunities aligned with the company's strategic priorities.

Master Planning, Design Management & Consultant Coordination

• Manage predevelopment activities including master planning, area programs, product mix, design development budgets, and development schedules.
• Oversee the appointment and active management of lead design consultants and the wider design and development team.
• Coordinate architectural, landscape, engineering, and technical consultant inputs to ensure design alignment with project brief, budget, quality standards, and commercial objectives.
• Review and manage design progress, design changes, and design compliance through structured coordination and governance.

Commercial Management, Contracts & Stakeholder Negotiations

• Support and manage key commercial aspects of development projects, including budgeting, cost planning, procurement coordination, and contractual interfaces.
• Participate in partnership discussions and negotiations, including joint venture and strategic partner coordination where applicable.
• Contribute to leasing strategy, partnership structuring, and negotiation support where project type requires.
• Coordinate with Legal on construction contracts, development agreements, and other project-related legal matters.

Budgeting, Financial Control & Performance Monitoring

• Coordinate project development budgets and monitor forecasts versus actuals, cash flow implications, and working capital requirements.
• Work closely with Finance and Accounts teams to maintain accurate financial records and reporting for each project.
• Ensure each project is tracked against feasibility assumptions, approved budgets, commercial milestones, and client and stakeholder sign-offs.
• Recommend corrective actions where cost overruns, margin erosion, or timing deviations are identified.

Project Management, Logistics & Delivery Control

• Monitor day-to-day project coordination including site logistics, project documentation, construction progress, and interface management.
• Track schedules, milestones, and critical risks across design and construction stages.
• Ensure project execution aligns with approved scope, quality standards, specifications, and organizational requirements.
• Coordinate with project teams to optimize delivery strategy and enhance project value through the development cycle.

Risk Management, Compliance & Governance

• Identify, assess, and monitor project risks, delays, and constraints, and support mitigation planning.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and authority requirements, including relevant local, state, and national programs (including affordable housing programs where applicable to the portfolio).
• Maintain robust documentation and governance processes to support auditability, approvals, and decision-making.
• Ensure project knowledge, records, and lessons learned are captured and updated in the company knowledge management database.

Partner, Authority & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with development partners, consultants, contractors, authorities, and internal stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor partner performance and establish metrics and KPIs to evaluate performance and accountability.
• Liaise with architects, technical consultants, local authorities, residents and end users (where relevant), and senior management to facilitate project progress and issue resolution.
• Represent development interests in cross-functional discussions and ensure decisions are translated into actionable plans.

Commercial Strategy, Sales Support & Marketing Alignment

• Support commercial and sales strategy development, including pricing recommendations, sales phasing, and related commercial planning.
• Provide inputs to marketing strategy and launch readiness in coordination with sales and marketing teams.
• Align development delivery with commercial requirements to support project positioning, product-market fit, and revenue realization.

Asset Readiness, Commissioning & Handover

• Coordinate induction and integration of facility management services prior to commissioning and handover.
• Facilitate alignment between development, project management, asset management, and facility management teams for smooth operational transition.
• Oversee handover readiness, snagging and de-snagging coordination, and close-out with contractors and project teams.
• Ensure client handover is completed efficiently with appropriate quality closure and documentation.

Strategic Contribution

• Act as a development lead across the project lifecycle, bridging concept inception, feasibility, development execution, and post-development optimization decisions.
• Support the organization in evaluating the best value realization options post-development (sale, lease, hold, partnership, phased release).
• Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, controls, and portfolio delivery practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree minimum in architecture, Urban Planning, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–12 years of relevant experience in real estate development, project management, and construction management.
• Minimum 4 years in a Development role.
• Established record of success as a project leader, having completed at least three substantial development projects.
• Significant experience with for-sale housing and condos, and demonstrated ability to lead complex public and private development partnerships.
• Experience with mixed-use, retail, and office projects (preferred).
• Thorough understanding of affordable housing development projects, including overall deal structuring, land planning, the entitlement process, finance, design, and construction management.
• Experience in real estate development for residential, hospitality, support retail, and leisure properties in both sales and leasing.
• Strong understanding of managing business plans, company development, financial awareness and control, and delivery of projects.
• Working knowledge of land acquisition process, feasibility support, planning, design coordination, construction follow-up, sales, and client handover.
• Knowledge of master planning basics, construction standards, quality requirements, and health and safety practices.
• Understanding of off-plan sales processes, escrow requirements, and the client handover journey.
• Understanding of community redevelopment.
• Knowledge of the region and understanding of laws regarding real estate and investment (considered a plus).
• Proficiency in English (required).

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written), and the ability to represent the company to a broad spectrum of audiences and environments.
• Effective project management skills.
• Excellent budgeting skills and risk analysis and management.
• Excellent data compilation and reporting skills.
• Effective business writing skills.
• High degree of facility with the English language.
• Advanced Project Management proficiency.
• Expert in CAD software (AutoCAD, Revit).
• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop.
• Extensive knowledge in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in project management software.
• Proficiency in CRM.
• Basic PropTech applications (BIM exposure, digital reporting tools).

Additional Information

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (preferred).
• Real Estate Certification program (preferred).