Development Director(European Head of Development) in Slough

This position is based in London. This role requires strong local experience in planning, development, and execution in the United Kingdom region. The Development/Project Manager will closely collaborate with International Development Management, Business Development, and Asset Management teams, reporting to both the Regional Director and Group Director. The objective of this role is to lead and support all aspects of development works including the development management, acquisition support and refurbishment management of new and existing industrial and logistics assets.

Job Responsibilities

• Asset Acquisitions
  • Provide support in asset/land acquisitions by managing technical due diligence and preliminary site inspections.
  • Source necessary information through extensive research to support the acquisition process.
  • Liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure all required information is available to complete the due diligence process.
  • Collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and regulatory authorities to gather essential data and address any concerns.
  • Manage technical due diligence consultants to define gaps and identify risks during the asset acquisition process.
  • Coordinate the due diligence process, ensuring thorough analysis and timely completion of tasks.
  • Assess market demand and define industry standards for new assets based on thorough market research and analysis.
  • Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes affecting asset development.
  • Establish CAPEX requirements necessary for maintaining and enhancing the long-term value of acquired assets.
• Project Development
  • Manage the development process from project inception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
  • Coordinate all phases of development, including planning, design, construction, and occupancy.
  • Monitor projects' commercial performance to ensure they are completed within budget and on schedule.
  • Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements, building codes, and corporate standards throughout the development process.
  • Manage extensive refurbishment and alteration works on existing buildings, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
  • Liaise with relevant stakeholders to understand operational constraints and develop plans to minimize impacts.
  • Manage engagement with consultants, developers, contractors, and suppliers throughout the development process.
  • Foster positive relationships with stakeholders and ensure effective communication and collaboration.
  • Monitor project progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones.
• Design and Engineering
  • Collaborate closely with the in-house Design Team to ensure engineering requirements are fully aligned with the company's standards and development strategy.
  • Provide technical expertise and guidance to the Design Team to ensure designs meet regulatory standards, project objectives, and stakeholder expectations.
  • Support the in-house Design Team in joint management of design consultants, including architects, engineers, and other specialists.
  • Coordinate necessary approvals, permits, and clearances for development projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Assist the in-house Design Team in establishing local requirements and standards necessary for the development process, including zoning regulations, building codes, and environmental guidelines.
  • Conduct research and analysis to identify applicable regulations and ensure designs meet all relevant requirements.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including asset managers, legal teams, and executives, to align development plans with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Ensure that all design activities adhere to the company's quality standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
  • Conduct regular reviews and audits to verify compliance with established guidelines and specifications.
• Procurement
  • Support in-house Procurement Team in the definition of works (SoW), tender process and contract award.
  • Support the in-house Costing Team in cost management, change management and contract administration.
  • Assist the in-house Procurement Team in defining scopes of work (SoW) for various projects, ensuring alignment with project objectives and requirements.
  • Collaborate on the tender process, including preparation of tender documents, evaluation criteria, and bid analysis.
  • Participate in the evaluation of bids and support the decision-making process for contract award.
  • Support the in-house Costing Team in cost management activities, including budget preparation, cost estimation, and tracking.
  • Assist in monitoring project costs throughout the development lifecycle, identifying variances, and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
  • Aid in change management processes, assessing the impact of changes on project costs and schedules.
  • Assist in the preparation and administration of contracts, ensuring terms and conditions are clear, fair, and legally compliant.
• Reporting
  • Provide regular internal reports (Daily/Weekly/Monthly) on the status of all projects with a particular focus on programme, cost and quality.
  • Collect reports from suppliers and ensure that all open points and risks are managed.
  • Prepare and present comprehensive project reports and presentations to management and stakeholders.
  • Monitor project progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones, identifying any deviations and recommending corrective actions.
  • Collect reports from suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring that all open points and risks are adequately managed and addressed.
  • Prepare comprehensive project reports and presentations for management and stakeholders, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering, Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Engineering, Project Management, or other related field.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant development or project management experience in industrial and/or logistics projects preferred.
• Strong understanding of local regulations, legal requirements, and the local planning process.
• Knowledge of health and safety standards and a commitment to ensuring compliance.
• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, both technical and non-technical, under tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and oral communication abilities.
• Capacity to manage several concurrent projects and prioritise effectively.
• Understanding of ESG requirements and commitment to sustainable development practices.
• Understanding RIBA project stages or local equivalent.
• Seeks continuous improvement to the design and processes through consistently challenging the status quo or value engineering the optimum solution to all aspects of the development.
• Possesses a high level of independence, initiative, accountability, cultural sensitivity, endurance, and adaptability, demonstrates excellent leadership to drive projects and is a team player.
• Candidates who are familiar with Chinese culture or have prior experience working in Chinese companies will be preferred.
• Fluent in English. Chinese or any other languages would be an advantage.