At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead diverse property development projects from planning to completion, ensuring timely delivery.
- Company: A growing property development business with a focus on retail, commercial, residential, and care sectors.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career growth, ownership of projects, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Ideal for those seeking to transition from corporate to entrepreneurial settings.
- Why this job: Join a hands-on role that shapes the future of property development and drives real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in project delivery and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
A well-established and growing property development business with interests spanning retail, commercial, residential, and care, is seeking a Head of Development to take ownership of delivery as the business enters its next phase of growth. This is a succession-driven appointment: the current leadership is stepping into more strategic roles, creating a genuine gap for a hands-on "doer" who can own project delivery end-to-end across a diversified asset base. It's a platform role — get it right, and it's expected to open the door to further senior hires as the team scales.
The role
- Own delivery of live development projects across retail, commercial, residential, and care-led schemes, from pre-commencement through to completion.
- Lead the front-end process — planning strategy, design development, consultant appointments, and pre-construction — while maintaining oversight of the full project lifecycle.
- Bring PLC-grade process, governance, and reporting discipline to a smaller, entrepreneurial business, without over-engineering it.
- Manage multiple live sites and workstreams concurrently, balancing programme, cost, and quality across differing asset types.
- Represent development at weekly project meetings, informal land meetings, and formal monthly land meetings.
- Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, planning consultants, architects, contractors, and other delivery partners across asset classes.
- Support the acquisitions team with development appraisals and feasibility input on new sites across the group's target sectors.
- Act as a key point of continuity and knowledge as the business transitions leadership responsibilities, with a view to building out a wider delivery team over time.
What you'll bring
- A strong track record delivering development projects on time and on budget — sector-specific experience (retail/commercial/residential/care) is less important than proven delivery discipline and the right attitude.
- A background trained within a corporate PLC environment (structured systems, process, and governance), who has since moved into — or is actively seeking to move into — a smaller, more entrepreneurial private business.
- Deep pre-commencement expertise: planning strategy, design coordination, and front-end delivery.
- Working knowledge of the full development lifecycle through to practical completion, even where your core strength sits at the front end.
- Comfort operating across multiple asset classes, or a genuine appetite to broaden from a single-sector background into a multi-asset environment.
- A flexible, hands-on approach — not precious about role boundaries, and willing to get into the detail wherever the business needs it.
- Currently operating at Associate Director or Senior Project Manager level, and looking for a role offering genuine ownership, growth, and long-term upside rather than simply the next pay rise.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the commercial awareness to manage risk and value across differing scheme types and consultees.
- Full UK driving licence, with the flexibility to travel to sites as required.
Head of Development in Mansfield employer: tdm recruitment
At tdm recruitment, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Located in the vibrant city of Bristol, our team enjoys a collaborative environment with opportunities for progression, alongside competitive benefits such as performance-related bonuses. Join us to make a meaningful impact in enhancing customer experiences across the South West while being part of a dynamic and expanding team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Development in Mansfield
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like tdm recruitment, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Development at tdm recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development in Mansfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at tdm recruitment
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
