Join Our Dynamic Team as a Development Manager!
Are you ready to lead and manage high-impact development projects? We are seeking a talented Development Manager to join our innovative team within the Watkin Jones Group Delivery function.
As the Development Manager, you will spearhead the delivery of residential development schemes, both self-build and 3rd party projects. Your expertise will guide projects through the full lifecycle—from risk assessment and program management to cost control and design oversight. Reporting to the Development Project Director, you’ll act as the crucial link between Investment & Development, the Watkin Jones Construction Team, third-party contractors, external consultants, and clients.
Key Responsibilities:
You will lead and manage development projects in alignment with the agreed RACI, ensuring that schemes are delivered on time and within budget, meeting the necessary quality standards. This includes overseeing all project milestones, coordinating the activities of third-party consultants and contractors, and managing their appointments. You will be responsible for presenting progress reports and challenging processes to ensure value for money, while closely monitoring the performance of professional teams and contractors.
A crucial aspect of this role is managing projects from RIBA stage 3 to 7, ensuring smooth transitions and efficient delivery across all phases of development. You will also ensure that all legal due diligence and compliance requirements are met for each development project.
Core Objectives:
In this role, you will bring extensive experience in delivering residential developments, including Purpose Built Student Accommodation and Build-to-Rent projects. You will be experienced in the post-planning consent processes, managing the project delivery from planning approval through to completion. Problem-solving will be central to your approach, ensuring that complex challenges are resolved efficiently, and high-quality outcomes are achieved.
Qualifications:
What we need from you:
Proven experience in project management within the construction or development sector.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and drive projects to successful completion.
Familiarity with RIBA Outline Plan of Work 2020 and other industry standards.
What We Offer:
At Watkin Jones, we believe in investing in our people. Here’s what we offer:
Rewards: Discretionary annual bonus, cash paid health plan, life insurance, and more.
Professional Growth: A pivotal role within a forward-thinking organisation and the opportunity to work on diverse and exciting projects.
Work-Life Balance: 25 days of annual leave (increasing with tenure), agile approach to work and discounted gym memberships.
Benefits: Company car or allowance, exclusive shopping discounts, and a contributory pension scheme.
About Us:
Watkin Jones was established in 1791 and has been building homes since 1927. More recently, we listed on the AIM market in 2016 with a market cap of £255m (current market cap c. £550m). In FY2020 we generated gross revenue of £354m and a Gross Profit of £75.9m. Our position in the market is based on a ‘capital light’ model, where we typically work with institutional forward funders.
Watkin Jones’ success to date has been based on our emphasis on building relationships of trust, our customer focus and our forward-thinking structure. Our intention is to create the future of living, which to us means high quality rental homes, community focus and sustainably driven development.
Apply Now: If you have a passion for delivering high-quality developments and the skills to navigate complex projects from planning through completion, we want to hear from you