Development Director in Sunderland

Role Profile – Development Director

Purpose

Working as part of a team and reporting to the Regional Director, drive forward and manage major development projects to bring about delivery in line with the Company business plan requirements. Provide high-level reporting to the Managing Director and Finance Director on key strategic elements of projects at both Company and parent company level. Identify, appraise and secure new development opportunities for the Company, having regard throughout to Company strategy, policy and procedures. Liaise and communicate effectively with key partners and external consultancy teams.

Role and Accountabilities

• Manage Development Managers and Senior Development Managers as appropriate on projects while assuming overall responsibility for the achievement of project milestones throughout the development process.
• Secure approvals where necessary to take a project forward.
• Ensure expenditure is within given limits approved by the Company by reference to the Company approval system and procedures.
• Lead in the development of key strategic reports and documents to secure necessary approvals from the Company's Board and parent company Board as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and drive the project team to ensure delivery of key outputs in line with programme.
• Assume ownership of scheme development appraisals and regularly review inputs and outputs for the purposes of informing Company business planning.
• Prepare reports and scheme presentations for presentation to a range of audiences both internally and externally.
• Effectively report and communicate the activities and progress of projects and prepare internal written reports as required by Company timetables.
• Represent the Company in the marketplace in a professional and quality-driven manner, promoting the business and encouraging relationships which might deliver new development opportunities for the Company.
• Help promote the importance of Social Value and Sustainability within Company projects and ensure ESG policy and corporate procedures are adhered to during project implementation.

Skills and Knowledge

• Experience in a senior Development Management role with a successful track record in identifying and delivering major development projects.
• Specific involvement in delivering residential and/or commercial-led mixed-use developments is preferred.
• Must have experience in leading project teams through the development process.
• Experience in preparing development appraisals and modelling cash flows to inform feasibility and viability recommendations.
• Experience 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.
• Experience in researching emerging markets and trends.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work with different partners in both the private and public sectors.