At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead dynamic hotel and living sector developments across Europe, managing risks and overseeing complex projects.
- Company: Join a top-tier real estate investment platform with a strong European presence.
- Benefits: Gain unparalleled exposure to diverse projects and influence high-value developments.
- Other info: Fluency in a second language is a plus; travel across Europe required.
- Why this job: Shape the future of real estate while collaborating with industry leaders in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in development management with a track record in large-scale projects.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
European Development Director – Hotels & Living Sectors
We are representing one of the world’s leading real estate investment platforms in the appointment of a European Development Director – Hotels & Living Sectors.
- Based in London with a pan-European remit, this is a senior appointment providing development leadership across a significant portfolio of hotel and living-sector investments - it is dynamic and varied portfolio encompassing BTR, PBSA, Housing and Senior Living.
- Working closely with the European investment team and senior management teams across a number of portfolio businesses, the successful candidate will provide strategic development oversight across existing assets, new acquisitions and major capital projects.
- This is a highly commercial development role sitting at the intersection of investment, development and asset management.
But first and foremost, the client is seeking a candidate with established Development expertise - an individual who can utilise their technical development skills to compliment the wider team.
- In return you will have unparalleled exposure to a diverse European portfolio and the opportunity to influence complex, high-value projects from underwriting and acquisition through planning, construction and delivery.
The Role
The European Development Director will take responsibility for assessing, managing and mitigating development risk across the portfolio, providing senior-level oversight and challenge to portfolio companies, development partners and external project teams.
Key responsibilities will include
- Developing and implementing strategies for newly acquired assets and identifying emerging development risks.
- Providing senior oversight of complex development and refurbishment programmes across the hotel and living sectors.
- Working closely with portfolio-company management teams, development directors, project managers and owners’ representatives.
- Assessing development risk associated with new acquisitions, existing investments and major capital projects.
- Reviewing development assumptions during underwriting, including costs, contingencies, programmes, phasing, planning strategy and delivery milestones.
- Leading and overseeing development-related due diligence on potential acquisitions and investment opportunities.
- Evaluating alternative development scenarios and their impact on investment returns.
- Supporting wider investment activity including acquisitions, financing, forecasting and strategic business planning.
- Providing senior stakeholders with clear recommendations on project strategy, risk and allocation of resources.
- Travelling across Europe as required to review projects, resolve development challenges and support delivery.
The Candidate
We are looking for an established development professional with approximately 10+ years’ relevant experience gained within development management, construction management, real estate investment or a closely related environment.
Candidates should bring
- A strong track record delivering or overseeing large-scale and complex real estate development projects.
- Experience within (one of or more) hotels, residential, student accommodation or other living sectors.
- Exposure to projects across the UK and Continental Europe.
- Fluency in a second language, such as Italian, Spanish or German - could also be advantageous.
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to assess development opportunities from an investor’s perspective.
- Experience interrogating development appraisals, costs, programmes and investment assumptions.
- Analytical capabilities, with well-versed understanding of real estate financial modelling and valuation.
- The credibility to work effectively with investment professionals, portfolio-company leadership teams, development partners and senior external advisers.
This is an opportunity to join one of the world's leading real estate investment platforms in a senior European role with significant exposure to both investment decision-making and the delivery of complex hotel and living-sector projects.
All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Development Director - Hotels & Living Sectors - Europe employer: Cobalt Recruitment
Join a dynamic real estate development and investment management firm in London, where your expertise in equity capital raising will be highly valued. With a lucrative salary and performance-based bonuses, you'll thrive in a high-growth environment that fosters collaboration and innovation among ambitious investors. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee growth, offering unique opportunities to expand your professional network and enhance your skills in a vibrant city known for its financial prowess.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Director - Hotels & Living Sectors - Europe
✨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 Cobalt Recruitment.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Cobalt Recruitment? 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 Cobalt Recruitment's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Director - Hotels & Living Sectors - Europe
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 - Hotels & Living Sectors - Europe role at Cobalt Recruitment, 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 Cobalt Recruitment
✨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 Cobalt Recruitment 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 Cobalt Recruitment. 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 Cobalt Recruitment.
