At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global property development from acquisition to construction for Soho House & Co.
- Company: Join a prestigious hospitality brand known for luxury and lifestyle experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape global projects.
- Other info: Dynamic role with extensive travel and collaboration across global markets.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on the growth of a renowned brand worldwide.
- Qualifications: 20+ years in real estate or hospitality development with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 148500 - 181500 £ per year.
The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is the single point of accountability for all property development activity across Soho House & Co worldwide.
Based in London, the CDO owns the development lifecycle end-to-end.
Inclusive of, Acquisition, Design and Construction for every new House, hotel and mixed-use site globally.
The role is accountable for turning the group's growth strategy into a deliverable, well-governed pipeline with accountability for overall timescales.
This newly consolidated role gives the business clear ownership of development outcomes — on programme, on budget, and on brand — from site identification through to opening handover.
Given the scale and complexity of the US pipeline, deep, hands-on US development expertise is essential.
Key Responsibilities...
- Single point of accountability for global development
- Own the full development lifecycle end-to-end — Acquisition, Design and Construction — for every project globally, acting as the single escalation point for status, risk and decision-making.
- Consolidate currently fragmented regional development functions into one global operating model, with clear standards, governance and reporting into the Executive Committee and Board.
- Build and maintain a global pipeline tracker and reporting cadence that gives the CEO, CFO and Board a single, reliable view of every project's status, budget and risk.
- Establish and chair the global development approvals framework, including sign-off on development briefs and budgets ahead of Board submission, and set financial authority levels for regional development teams.
- Acquisition & site strategy
- Lead site identification, feasibility and appraisal for new Houses and related developments, partnering with Real Estate, Finance and Operations.
- Structure and negotiate development agreements, leases, joint ventures and construction contracts with landlords, developers and investment partners.
- Own capital appraisal and investment-case development for new sites, working closely with Finance on returns, funding and board approval requirements.
- Own legal due diligence and negotiate global Framework Agreements with preferred contractors, consultants and suppliers, ensuring consistent commercial terms across markets.
- Design & construction
- Oversee design development and construction delivery across all markets, ensuring every project is true to Soho House brand, design language and member experience standards.
- Set and enforce global development standards, playbooks and specifications, adapted appropriately for local planning, building and cultural context.
- Manage architects, designers, general contractors and specialist consultants, ensuring robust project controls on programme, cost and quality.
- Programme, budget and risk ownership
- Hold end-to-end accountability for capital budgets across the global development portfolio, including cost control, forecasting and variance management.
- Identify, own and mitigate development risk — planning, regulatory, construction and commercial — across multiple jurisdictions and legal frameworks simultaneously.
- Ensure robust health & safety, sustainability and compliance standards are embedded in every project from design through to completion.
- Establish and own a global change-control framework, ensuring material scope, cost or programme changes are escalated, approved and tracked consistently across every project and region.
- Own the development-to-operations handover process globally, ensuring operational readiness and pre-opening requirements are consistently met before launch.
- Global market leadership
- Act as the senior executive owner of the global development pipeline, bringing direct, current expertise in global planning, permitting, construction and delivery models.
- Build and maintain relationships with global developers, landlords, contractors and local authorities to support continued growth.
- Build, lead and develop a high-performing global development team, including regional leads across EMEA, the Americas and APAC.
- Act as a credible, senior voice with the Board, investors, joint-venture partners and external advisors on all matters relating to development.
- Partner closely with the CEO, CFO, Chief Membership Officer and regional Managing Directors to ensure development plans align with commercial and brand strategy.
- Chair a global development steering committee — bringing together regional leads, Finance and Operations — as the standing forum for reviewing pipeline status, risk and decisions.
Experience Required...
We are looking for a senior development leader with a strong track record in complex, multi-site, global real estate or hospitality development, and genuine credibility operating at Board level.
- 20+ years' experience in property, real estate or hospitality development, including significant time at Director or C-suite / Executive Committee level.
- Proven delivery of complex, global development programmes — multiple concurrent projects, across multiple countries, legal systems and construction markets.
- Deep, current US development expertise — planning, permitting, construction procurement and delivery models in key US markets — is essential, not preferred.
- End-to-end development background spanning acquisition, design and construction (A/D/C), rather than a single specialism within the development lifecycle.
- Multi-disciplinary development business with a proven track record of hospitality success.
The individual will be able to showcase premium projects working with practical experience to bring to the table.
- Background from a comparable luxury or lifestyle hospitality brand would be advantageous (for example Rosewood, Four Seasons, Capella or Edition) or a major branded hotel group (for example Hilton or Marriott), or an equivalent premium real estate developer.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen — comfortable owning multi-million-pound capital budgets, investment appraisals and Board-level reporting.
- Demonstrated people leadership — has built and led global, multi-regional teams and can operate as a credible, unifying leader across a historically fragmented function.
- Executive presence and stakeholder management — able to represent development at Board level and manage relationships with landlords, JV partners, contractors and regulators.
- Willingness to travel extensively, with regular time in the USA and other regional markets, while being based full-time in London.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Chief Development Officer London, UK Support Office View Role employer: Soho House & Co
Soho House & Co. is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its employees. With a vibrant work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on health and safety across our London sites. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in comprehensive training programmes and the chance to engage with diverse teams, making this role not just a job, but a rewarding career experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Development Officer London, UK Support Office View Role
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Soho House & Co. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Soho House & Co
Don't be shy about reaching out to Soho House & Co directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Development Officer London, UK Support Office View Role
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Soho House & Co and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Soho House & Co
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
