Development Manager

Overview

Deliver value. Lead quality. Shape places that matter.

We are looking for an experienced Development Manager, based in the Kent area, to lead the delivery of high-quality residential developments.

This is a commercially focused role for a development professional who can balance design quality, programme certainty and financial performance – driving projects from land acquisition through design, planning and into construction.

You will take ownership of complex schemes, lead multi-disciplinary teams, and work closely with local authorities, consultants and internal stakeholders to deliver developments that perform commercially and stand the test of time.

You are an accomplished Development or Project Manager with strong design and technical leadership, and a proven track record of delivering residential schemes within a corporate or consultancy environment. You bring end-to-end experience managing projects from land acquisition through design, planning and into build start, combining commercial awareness with a clear understanding of value engineering and cost drivers.

Comfortable leading and influencing multi-disciplinary teams and external consultants, you are confident engaging with planning authorities, statutory bodies and senior stakeholders to drive timely, high-quality outcomes.

You are highly organised, with excellent programme management, reporting and MS Project capability, and a clear, credible communication style that enables you to chair meetings, make decisions and maintain momentum in a fast-paced environment. Proactive, resilient and delivery-focused, you thrive under pressure. A degree in Architecture or a related discipline is desirable, along with professional accreditation (RIBA, ARB, CIAT, APM or similar), and a valid CSCS card is essential.

We will give you:

• Competitive salary + discretionary annual bonus
• Company Car Allowance/Choice of Car
• Company Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Professional Subscriptions paid for
• 24 days holiday (rising to 28 days) plus Bank Holidays
• 2 fully paid volunteering days per year (supported by the McCarthy Stone Foundation)
• Health benefits such as Private Healthcare; Remote GP, 24/7 access to EAP Services (including counsellors and legal advisors) and eyecare voucher
• Colleagues Benefit Booklet with a range of store offers discounts and promotions
• Family Friendly Policies

Your Impact

As a Development Manager, you will provide the design and technical leadership that underpins project delivery, commercial performance, and smarter development decisions. Working within our flexible hybrid model, you will balance remote planning with on-site engagement, collaborating closely with Development, Commercial, Construction, Land, Planning, and Design teams to drive projects from land acquisition through to build start and first occupation.

What you will do

You will lead end-to-end development and design management, ensuring projects are delivered on time, to budget, and to the highest quality. Using your commercial awareness and technical expertise, you will influence design decisions, manage consultants and multi-disciplinary teams, and engage proactively with planning authorities, statutory bodies, and key stakeholders.

Through robust programme management, reporting, and clear communication, you will drive accountability, mitigate risks, and ensure smooth delivery from concept design to construction completion.

Why You Will Enjoy Working With Us

• Real Impact: Your expertise directly shapes the success and efficiency of our developments.
• Continuous Progression: Grow your development and project management expertise and capability in a national, hybrid environment.
• Variety Every Day: Balance hands-on site visits, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation.
• Supportive Culture: Collaborate across our Commercial, Construction, Development, Land, and Planning teams.
• Strong Benefits Package: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, private healthcare, pension, volunteering days, and structured professional development.

We build more than homes – we create places that enable people to live well. You will have the autonomy to lead, the scale to make an impact, and the backing of a market-leading business that values quality, integrity and performance.

If you are ready to combine commercial delivery with genuine purpose, we would love to hear from you.

About Us

As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, we provide high quality homes to exacting specifications. As of January 2026, McCarthy Stone operates over 550 developments across the UK for more than 25,000 people.

We believe in championing the role, wellbeing, and happiness of older people in society. We help our customers have a better later life, so they feel more connected, recognised, and valued than ever. In late 2020 we launched the McCarthy Stone Charitable Foundation to support local causes that help older people in need across Britain.

We are proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work 2025 as well as making the Great Place to Work Wellbeing list!

At McCarthy Stone, we celebrate diversity and promote equality and inclusion amongst our colleagues. We welcome applications from all, regardless of personal characteristics or background.

All applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and we hold the right to appoint before the closing date.