At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting PBSA projects from planning to construction, making a real impact in student accommodation.
- Company: Join Balfour Beatty Investments, a leader in infrastructure development and investment.
- Benefits: Enjoy smart working, 25 days leave, family-friendly policies, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Be part of ambitious projects that strengthen communities and support national economies.
- Qualifications: Experience in securing planning consent and leading multi-disciplinary teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Overview
Balfour Beatty Investments (BBI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Balfour Beatty plc, is seeking a Development Director to join its New Business team. This London-based role will focus on the development of new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) schemes across England and Scotland, supporting the continued growth of BBI’s PBSA portfolio. This is an exciting opportunity to join an established and growing team, strengthening its development capability and expertise.
You will play a key role in leading the early-stage delivery of direct-let PBSA projects, from initial site assessment through the planning process and up to the start of construction, where projects are transitioned to delivery teams. BBI is actively pursuing opportunities in major regional cities and continues to expand its presence through new university partnerships, offering a dynamic pipeline of development projects.
What you'll be doing
- Leading the development of direct-let PBSA projects from early-stage assessment through planning and into pre-construction.
- Taking full ownership of projects, acting as Development Lead throughout the lifecycle up to construction handover.
- Managing and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, including internal stakeholders and external consultants.
- Driving the planning process, including securing planning consent and navigating key approvals.
- Overseeing design development to optimise schemes for planning success, buildability, and commercial viability.
- Leading contractor selection, procurement processes, and the negotiation of building contracts and associated schedules.
- Identifying and managing key commercial, technical, and delivery risks, and implementing effective solutions.
- Supporting wider business objectives through input into development strategy, bids, and new opportunities, including university partnerships.
Who we're looking for
- Proven experience securing planning consent for PBSA and/or residential developments.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary project teams through planning and pre-construction phases.
- Strong development and project leadership skills, with the confidence to take ownership of complex projects.
- A solid understanding of design, technical, and/or commercial aspects of development (e.g. cost management, viability, buildability).
- Experience in contractor procurement and negotiating building contracts and associated schedules.
- Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to identify risks and drive practical solutions.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
Benefits
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
- Family friendly policies including 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background.
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.
Investment/Development Director in London employer: Balfour
Balfour Beatty Investments is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where you can lead impactful projects in Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. With a strong focus on employee well-being, the company provides smart working options, generous leave policies, and robust support for family commitments, alongside opportunities for professional growth within a diverse and inclusive culture. Join a team that values your contributions and fosters a collaborative spirit, making a real difference in communities across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Investment/Development Director in London
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Investment/Development Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
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Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Investment/Development Director role at Balfour, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Balfour
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Balfour operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
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In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Balfour. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Balfour.
