Director of Development Management in Leeds

Role Profile – Director of Development Management

Purpose

Working as part of the Regional Leadership Team (RLT) and reporting to the Regional Managing Director. Lead, motivate and mentor the regional development team providing both technical and pastoral support. Drive forward and manage major development projects to bring about delivery in line with the Company business plan requirements, liaising closely with the Director Project Management, the regional Finance Business Partner, Head of Residential and Head of Social Value and Sustainability and other OLT members. High level reporting to Managing Director and Finance Director on key strategic elements of projects. Lead on identifying, appraising and securing new development opportunities for the Company having regard throughout to Company strategy, policy and procedures. Play a lead role in actively raising the profile of the Company externally including forging new relationships and partnerships. Liaise and communicate effectively with key partners and stakeholders and external consultancy teams and represent the Company on JV Boards as required.

Role and Accountabilities

• Provide leadership to the Development Team as appropriate on projects with the responsibility to achieve project milestones throughout the development process. These will include early viability assessments, securing planning and other statutory consents, securing finance, conclusion of legal agreements such as development and funding agreements, securing lettings and disposals and establishing long-term estate management arrangements, ensuring projects are viable and deliverable at all times.
• Ensure approvals are sought where necessary to take projects forward. Working with FBP to ensure expenditure is within given limits approved by the Company by reference to the Company approval system and procedures.
• Oversee the development of key strategic reports and documents to secure necessary approvals from the Board and external Partner / Project Boards as appropriate.
• Oversee the establishment of lead project teams (internal and external) in conjunction with the regional Director of Project Management. Support where appropriate the Development Team to form and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ensure the Development Team work closely with the project team (internal and external) to drive and meet the delivery of key outputs in line with programme.
• Regularly review scheme development appraisals and ensure inputs and outputs are updated to inform annual budgets, financial targets and business planning.
• Ensure appropriate internal and external challenge and audit is obtained on key project inputs.
• Working alongside the Legal Director and regional Development Directors take responsibility for ensuring that all funding and legal agreements attendant to projects are complete and accurate and properly reflect the Company's understanding of the transaction/risk profile and are in accordance with company approvals.
• Ensure development team deliver appropriate partner reports and scheme presentations to a range of audiences both internally and externally.
• Effectively report and communicate the activities and progress of projects and co-ordinate with the regional Development and Project Management teams to ensure concise, accurate internal written reporting as required by Company timetables.
• Provide detailed information as requested for forecasts, budgets and board papers as necessary.
• Represent the Company in the marketplace in a professional manner promoting the business and encouraging relationships which might deliver new development opportunities for the Company.
• Work closely with the Regional Managing Director RLT to prepare, update and deliver a new business strategy. Work closely with the Development and Project management teams to identify and secure new development opportunities.
• Ensure a thorough appraisal of new opportunities is undertaken including consideration of market data, current activity and competition, and consultant advice.
• Promote the importance of Social Value and Sustainability within Company projects and ensure ESG policy and corporate procedures are adhered to during project implementation.
• Mentor the Development Management team and provide project support as necessary to Development Team members.

Skills and Knowledge

• Experience in a Development Director role with a successful track record in identifying and delivering major development projects – specific involvement with delivering residential and/or commercial led mixed-use developments is preferred.
• People management experience is essential.
• Must have experience in leading project teams through the development process with a high level of commercial acumen.
• Experience in preparing development appraisals and modelling cash flows to inform and thoroughly challenge feasibility and viability recommendations.
• Experience at a senior level in negotiating legal agreements such as Agreements for Lease, Development Agreements and Funding Agreements. Knowledge of Partnership Agreements and Joint Ventures would also be useful.
• Researching emerging markets and trends with an external market facing focus.
• Strong relationship building skills and the ability to work with different partners in both the private and public sector.
• Ability and strong emotional intelligence to manage in a challenging environment recognising the various interests of project stakeholders such as resident groups, local councillors etc.
• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.
• Preferably qualified MRICS with 10 years post qualification experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including presentations and report writing.
• IT proficient including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams.
• Commercially astute with good presentation and negotiating skills.
• Tenacious and self-driven with the ability and initiative to work both autonomously and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with industry software for financial appraisals e.g. Argus.

This profile provides information on a broad range of responsibilities for this role and is not seen to be contractually binding. All employees are expected to be flexible in their performance of duties.