Assistant Development Manager in London
Assistant Development Manager

Assistant Development Manager in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support development projects from feasibility to construction, manage proposals, and build relationships.
  • Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a family-owned company with a strong focus on quality and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and a comprehensive benefits package.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while developing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in project management and excellent communication skills are essential.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.

Willmott Dixon are looking to expand our national development solutions team and are seeking an Assistant Development Manager to focus on assisting our Regional Head of Land and Development in progressing a strong pipeline of work with particular focus in the South East and South West of England.

With over five years of successfully partnering with public sector customers across a variety of sectors, our main aim now is to further develop our order book of development led opportunities. You will report to our Regional Head of Land and Development in Southern England and support them in both seeking new work and progressing an existing pipeline of developments mainly secured through public sector engagements and partnering.

You will ideally be based in Southern England (London, Southern home counties, South West, south coast), but as the role could involve working on national projects you should be prepared to travel. Work life balance is important to us and as our team are national, hybrid working is key to allow you to split your time between home, our offices (London, Weybridge, Farnborough and Exeter) as well as visiting sites/customers.

Willmott Dixon is driven by quality and customer service and to this day we remain family owned and take pride in our core values. We are passionate about people and have a real focus and drive around continuous development.

The key responsibilities will include:

  • Provide support to our Regional Heads of Land and Development in helping move development projects from feasibility to 'construction ready'. This would include undertaking research, assisting in the writing of feasibility studies, commissioning and managing the work of sub-consultants.
  • Assist in bidding and winning future work through development of proposals and commercial structures.
  • Assist in representing Willmott Dixon development solutions publicly and encourage/develop new relationships to grow the team and our reputation.
  • Collaborate with and support other regional development managers to grow their pipeline, including supporting on business development, bids, tenders, attending events etc.
  • Assist in building and maintaining strong relationships with customers, consultants, funders and other stakeholders to deliver projects to site and successful outcomes for our customers.
  • Create and maintain development appraisals on schemes, reporting internally and externally as required.
  • Work closely with regional preconstruction teams to establish deliverable solutions which achieve relevant margin requirements.
  • Support relevant consultant relationships on projects.
  • Identify and mitigate risks/opportunities and develop contingency plans to eliminate risk and optimise returns to ensure that projects evolve to meet and better the financial and programme required.

Essential and Desirable Criteria

  • High levels of personal energy and comfortable operating in a complex, fast paced environment with the ability to work both independently and as part of a passionate dynamic team.
  • Tenacity and persistence to resolve challenging issues.
  • Ability to challenge the status quo but knowing how to manage change to minimise disruption.
  • Developer or construction side project management experience, including the development and management of project programmes, reporting progress against these, instructing multi-disciplinary teams to deliver against programme objectives, and the development and maintenance of project management tools (e.g. risk register, issues log, budget and resourcing plans).
  • Assisting the senior team to prepare for, manage and record key client meetings.
  • A passion to assist in developing out and identifying opportunities, push boundaries and engage strategically to help the team and customers deliver their outcomes.
  • Commercial acumen in developing and reporting on commercial appraisals and financial modelling.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills including report writing, presenting and pitching ideas.
  • IT proficient including MS Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Teams and appraisal software.
  • Mixed use development experience (town centre, retail, leisure, community, office and residential).
  • Knowledge of public partnering contractual arrangements (development agreements, partnership agreements, JV's etc).
  • Knowledge of funding routes (either private funding or public sector grant funding).
  • Experience of working with or for Local Authorities.

In return we offer:

A competitive salary in addition to a comprehensive benefits package including a company pension scheme, green company car allowance, life assurance, private medical cover, incentive/bonus schemes, employee trade discounts, and many more. We offer you a bright future, one where you will have the opportunity to develop your career. We are a supportive, growing team in an exciting area supported by a larger forward-thinking company, who recognise and reward your achievements.

Additional Information

We’re an open minded team and business and we embrace diversity in the workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Even if you don’t feel like you meet 100% of our requirements we encourage you to get in touch. We value our people and are building a team who share our values. Your skills, experience and background may be just what we need. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate and are committed to creating an inclusive and successful team which values our people as our biggest attribute.

About Us

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.

Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.

Assistant Development Manager in London employer: Willmott Dixon

Willmott Dixon is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and work-life balance. With a comprehensive benefits package and a commitment to sustainability, employees can thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance communities across Southern England.
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Contact Detail:

Willmott Dixon Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Development Manager in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for development and construction shine through. Share your ideas and how you can contribute to their projects – it’ll make you stand out from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals, especially in public sector engagements. Tailor your responses to show you understand their values and mission.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, hit that apply button and let’s get you on board!

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Development Manager in London

Project Management
Feasibility Studies
Bidding and Proposal Development
Relationship Management
Commercial Acumen
Risk Management
Financial Modelling
Communication Skills
IT Proficiency (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams)
Mixed Use Development Experience
Knowledge of Public Partnering Contracts
Understanding of Funding Routes
Experience with Local Authorities
Team Collaboration
Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Assistant Development Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in project management and your ability to work with public sector clients, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that align with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description. This helps us see how you can contribute to our team.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role, and make sure to proofread for any typos!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Willmott Dixon

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Willmott Dixon's projects and values. Familiarise yourself with their recent developments, especially in the South East and South West. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their work.

✨Showcase Your Skills

Be ready to discuss your project management experience in detail. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed multi-disciplinary teams or developed project programmes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

✨Ask Smart Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the company. For instance, ask about their approach to public sector partnerships or how they measure success in their development projects. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in contributing to their goals.

✨Emphasise Teamwork and Adaptability

Willmott Dixon values collaboration and adaptability. Share examples of how you've worked effectively in a team and navigated challenges in fast-paced environments. Highlight your tenacity and ability to manage change while minimising disruption.

Assistant Development Manager in London
Willmott Dixon
Location: London

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