At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative residential projects from planning to completion.
- Company: Join a dynamic international investment manager focused on Build-to-Rent housing.
- Benefits: Autonomy, access to senior leadership, and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to lead a growing team and work on high-quality projects.
- Why this job: Be part of building a UK residential platform with significant impact and growth potential.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in large residential developments; strong technical and stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Capstone Recruitment has been retained by a highly capitalised international residential investment manager to appoint a Development Director to play a pivotal role in the growth of its UK Build-to-Rent platform.
Backed by long-term institutional capital, the business is investing significantly into purpose-built rental housing across the UK and has an active pipeline of direct developments and forward-funded schemes. With several major projects already secured and further acquisitions expected, this is an outstanding opportunity to join at an exciting stage of growth.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Head of UK, you will take ownership of a growing development portfolio centred around Manchester, whilst being based in London alongside the investment team. This is a broad development role combining direct development, technical leadership and development management. You'll be responsible for taking projects from acquisition and planning through procurement, delivery and completion, whilst also managing external development partners on forward-funded schemes.
The current pipeline includes:
- A flagship c.150-unit Build-to-Rent development moving into delivery
- Oversight of multiple forward-funded developments
- Several new acquisitions progressing through planning
- A rapidly expanding national pipeline as further capital is deployed
Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end development of institutional Build-to-Rent schemes.
- Take ownership of direct development projects from planning through construction and completion.
- Manage external development partners delivering forward-funded projects.
- Lead technical due diligence on new acquisitions.
- Manage consultant teams, contractors and professional advisers.
- Drive planning, procurement and construction programmes.
- Ensure projects are delivered against programme, budget, quality and ESG objectives.
- Work closely with the investment team on acquisitions, appraisals and development strategy.
- Represent the business with local authorities, JV partners and key stakeholders.
Candidate Profile
We're interested in individuals with a strong technical foundation rather than traditional real estate development backgrounds. Typical backgrounds include:
- Construction Management
- Quantity Surveying
- Civil or Structural Engineering
- Project Management
- Building Surveying
You'll likely have:
- ~10+ years' experience delivering large residential or mixed-use developments.
- ~ Strong technical delivery capability through design, procurement and construction.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary consultant teams.
- Exposure to Build-to-Rent, PRS or large-scale residential developments.
- Excellent commercial judgement and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working with institutional investors, forward-funded developments or joint venture structures would be highly advantageous.
Why Join?
- Rare opportunity to help build a UK institutional residential platform from the ground up.
- Significant autonomy with direct access to senior leadership.
- High-quality pipeline backed by long-term capital.
- Opportunity to build and lead a development team as the platform expands.
- Excellent long-term career progression within a growing international investor.
For a confidential discussion, contact Rob Joslin on +44 (0) 203 757 5000 or email r.joslin@capstone-recruitment.com
Development Director / Director / Development Manager in London employer: Capstone Recruitment UK
Join a dynamic and forward-thinking international residential investment manager that is at the forefront of the Build-to-Rent sector in London. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the unique opportunity to lead significant development projects while enjoying a collaborative work culture that values innovation and technical expertise. The company offers excellent long-term career progression and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly expanding market backed by substantial institutional capital.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Director / Director / Development Manager in London
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Capstone Recruitment UK.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Capstone Recruitment UK? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Capstone Recruitment UK's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Director / Director / Development Manager 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!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Development Director / Director / Development Manager role at Capstone Recruitment UK, 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 Capstone Recruitment UK
✨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 Capstone Recruitment UK 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.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Capstone Recruitment UK. 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 Capstone Recruitment UK.
