Development Manager (Contracts) - Apex Housing in Belfast

Your new company

The services of Hays have been retained by our client, Apex Housing, to recruit a Development Manager (Contracts) on a permanent basis to assist with their long-term growth plans. Apex are a leading Housing Association in Northern Ireland with their homes, services, and support enriching the lives of over 16,000 tenants. Apex has experienced significant growth in recent years with properties across Northern Ireland and have ambitious plans to expand further. The development team plays a central role in delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that meet community needs.

Your new role

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Development, you will be responsible for actively managing the organisation's on-site contractual operations across a range of development projects, ensuring that agreed programme, cost, quality, health and safety, and compliance targets are achieved. You will function as a client-side Project Manager, working on large scale housing-led projects providing professional oversight of consultant and contractor performance, managing NEC3/NEC4 contracts, and taking responsibility for project budgets, financial control, and contractual risk. The role supports the Assistant Director of Development by providing robust contractual, commercial, and technical expertise throughout the development life cycle. You will play a key role in delivering multiple large-scale housing-led development projects from tender stage through to completion and handover. Collaborating closely with internal colleagues and external consultants and contractors, you will ensure that contracts are effectively administered, risks are managed, and projects are delivered in line with organisational objectives and regulatory requirements. This is a hands-on technical role requiring strong experience in contract management, NEC forms of contract, Development Agreements, project financial control, and on-site delivery.

What you'll need to succeed

• A level six qualification (e.g. bachelor's degree or Graduate Diploma) in a relevant discipline such as architecture, construction, engineering or quantity surveying with a minimum of three years' relevant technical building experience in a site management, architectural, contract management, or quantity surveying capacity.
• Experience in property and development contracts (e.g. conveyancing, JCT, NEC and consultant service contracts), with a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of partners within the development delivery process.
• A thorough understanding of the construction process and contract management.
• Knowledge and experience of risk management techniques.
• Experience and knowledge of cost management on large construction projects.
• The ability to construct and manage budgets, with a strong focus on performance management to achieve organisational targets, budget control, and funder requirements.
• The ability to manage audit and regulatory processes, meet challenging performance targets and ensure continuous improvement of services.
• Experience of leading a range of large and complex projects simultaneously, with a proven record of successful delivery.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong leadership, negotiation, financial reporting, and commercial awareness.
• A current full driving licence and access to a suitable form of transport.

What you'll get in return

This position offers the opportunity to work with an established and growing Housing Association in an important role that will assist in the delivery of much needed new homes. This role offers great variety and the ability to make a real impact in ensuring the successful delivery of projects.

What you need to do now

Please contact Andrew McLarnon to discuss this position in confidence. Alternatively, please apply using the link attached to register your interest.