Job Description
Company Overview
Great Portland Estates plc. (GPE) is a highly regarded property investment and development company, with over 70 years' experience in acquiring, creating and delivering premium spaces. The business has been successful in driving investment performance through disciplined capital allocation, complex development and asset repositioning, and by taking carefully controlled contra-cyclical risk to maximise returns at the right time.
Today, the real estate portfolio is valued at over £2.5 billion and is entirely located in central London, with a West End focus. It is made up of primarily office assets, complimented by some retail and residential. In 2021, GPE launched its Flex brand which is performing well, delivering growth and outsized returns.
Development activity is extensive and is central to GPE's ability to create and unlock value. The business is focused on devising highly impactful designs, and market-leading HQ schemes with exceptional sustainability credentials. GPE has a track record of matching activities to the ebb and flow of London's cyclical market, providing spaces that meet and exceed customer expectations - now and in the future.
The business has ambitious growth targets for its Flex offering, aiming to expand from 500,000sqft today to 1,000,000sqft by This will be achieved through a significant refurbishment programme delivering Fitted and Fully Managed products, as well as converting individual floors as opportunity arises.
GPE's deep understanding of its customers, combined with its ability to anticipate and respond to the real estate market, continues to deliver outstanding performance for shareholders and makes for a dynamic, ambitious and rewarding environment in which to work.
The Senior Development Manager is accountable for maximising performance of development projects against approved Business Plans, typically working on multiple complex schemes at any given time. With a significant existing and future pipeline, this individual must be able to drive outcomes across the development life-cycle.
Job Requirements
Person Specification
This role is pivotal in shaping and delivering high-quality developments across the GPE portfolio, requiring technical expertise, commercial sharpness and strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience / Background Requirements
* Chartered Surveyor with substantial experience in a commercial property environment.
* Proven track record in delivering complex developments that maximise returns.
* Broad knowledge base covering planning, design, construction, Landlord & Tenant, neighbourly matters, marketing, leasing and capital transactions.
* Evidenced success in preparing and implementing development business plans showing value creation through entrepreneurial flair.
* Experience appointing and managing external professional teams.
* Desirable - Experience of Central London development.
Key Skills & Personal Attributes
* Excellent judgement and analytical rigour – evaluating financial performance and interpreting implications for strategy and action.
* Inquisitive and highly commercial – generating and welcoming new ideas that add value.
* Assertive negotiator – understanding counterparties' complex interests and market risks to secure the best positive outcomes.
* Self-starter – seeking out responsibility and being responsive to feedback. Able to forward-plan, manage risk and monitor progress, adapting and driving to ensure success.
* Confident communicator and influencer – fostering collaborative relationships and working in a way that builds support. Ensuring clear, timely communication at all times.
* Natural leader – demonstrating strong people management skills (including delegation and workload management) with a commitment to supporting and developing others.
* Resilient and motivated – approaching challenges constructively and positively, with a coherent approach to work loads and a high degree of energy and commitment.
Job Responsibilities
* Commercial Success
– Creating commercially deliverable schemes and associated Business Plans. At all times working to meet or exceed agreed performance thresholds. Present Business Plans as required to all levels of the company.
* Design
– Conceptualising developments, ensuring schemes are fit for customer expectations and in line with GPE's ambitions around premium design, innovation and sustainability.
* Planning
– Owning the planning process and establishing proactive strategies which drive enhanced outcomes. Oversee negotiations with planning authorities and other relevant third-parties to achieve or exceed Business Plan assumptions.
* Financial Analysis
–
Interrogating projects with commercial rigour, being accountable for robust financial performance throughout project lifespans. Preparing Business Plan authority requests with reasoned recommendations and collaborating with other GPE teams as required.
* Project Deliverability
–
Anchoring ideas in feasibility and identifying potential barriers to development (e.g. legal, third party). Devise solutions and / or create opportunities, and execute these resolutions to ensure projects stay on track.
* Design Brief and Control
– Set appropriate design criteria and establish a clear design brief, working with Project Management and other GPE teams.
* Cost Control – At all times focus personal and team attention on commercial drivers. Partnering with Project Management to manage and control capital expenditure.
* Development Sequencing – Ensuring correct sequencing of key stages including design, planning, block date, vacant possession strategy, occupier liaison, third party agreements and contractor/professional team appointments. This requires close collaboration with Portfolio Management, Occupier Services and Project Management teams.
* Letting and Sales
– Support in the monetisation of developments, working with the Leasing and Investment teams to securing lettings and disposals which meet or exceed Business Plan assumptions.
* Sourcing Opportunities – Deepen relationships in the market to create opportunities, working with the Investment team to seek out suitable development opportunities.
* People Management
– Lead by example; supporting, developing and engaging direct reports and the wider team.
* Corporate Responsibility
– Act as an ambassador for GPE, by being a trusted expert in the property market and upholding the highest standards of health and safety, sustainability and community engagement
Job Benefits
* Hybrid Working (A minimum of 3 days in office)
* Competitive Remuneration
* Share Incentive Plan
* Annual Leave
* Pension
* Enhanced Parental Leave and Pay
* Private Medical Insurance
* Private Dental Insurance
* And many others
At GPE we are committed to diversity and inclusion, we believe that diversity gives us strength. Collecting diversity data allows us to measure the effectiveness of our efforts and ensure our hiring procedures are fair and equitable for all. Providing this information is voluntary and remains confidential. This data this anonymised and only used to assess the diversity of our applicant pool. It will not influence hiring decisions in any way.