Development Director

• Take a lead role in shaping and navigating complex partnership and governance arrangements across public and private sector stakeholders

• Secure approvals where necessary to take a project forward, ensuring expenditure is within Company limits and procedures

• Lead in the development of key strategic reports and documents for Muse Board and Morgan Sindall Board approvals

• Establish and lead project teams in conjunction with internal Project Managers, maintaining strong stakeholder relationships

• Assume ownership of scheme development appraisals and regularly review inputs and outputs to inform business planning

• Take primary responsibility for ensuring all funding and legal agreements are complete and accurate

• Prepare reports and scheme presentations for a range of internal and external audiences

• Effectively report on project activities, including forecasts, budgets and board papers

• Represent the Company in the marketplace in a professional, quality-driven manner

• Identify and secure new development opportunities aligned with Company strategy and objectives

• Promote Social Value and Sustainability objectives and ensure ESG policies are adhered to

• Work alongside the Director of Project Management to support delivery in line with forecast

• Lead, mentor and develop Development Managers at all levels

• Work closely with internal teams to align objectives with wider company goals

• Communicate effectively with senior management on progress, challenges and achievements

• Lead mobilisation and scaling of project resource to match delivery ambition

• Experience leading projects from inception to completion

• Proven experience managing major development projects, including:
• Viability assessments
• Planning and statutory approvals
• Securing funding and finance
• Lettings, disposals, and estate management arrangements

• Demonstrable experience leading and managing teams, including senior professionals

• Strong track record in identifying, appraising and securing new development opportunities

• Experience working with senior stakeholders, including board-level reporting

• Experience negotiating complex legal agreements

• Proven ability to work with external partners, consultants and stakeholders

Skills

• Ability to lead, mentor and develop high-performing teams

• Strong capability in motivating teams and fostering a positive working environment

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen

• Strong financial and commercial awareness

• Ability to assess viability and risk

• Ability to align projects with wider business strategy

• Ability to operate effectively in evolving and uncertain environments

• Project and programme management

• Excellent planning and organisational skills

• Ability to manage multiple projects and ensure delivery against milestones

• Strong attention to detail in overseeing complex project inputs and outputs

• Communication and influencing

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to prepare and present reports to a range of audiences (internal and external)

• Confidence in engaging with senior executives, boards and external partners

• Negotiation and stakeholder management

• Strong negotiation skills for legal, financial and partnership arrangements

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders

• Analytical and decision-making skills

• Ability to analyse market data, financial models and project appraisals

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability under pressure

• In-depth knowledge of the property development process, from feasibility through to delivery and disposal

• Understanding of planning systems and regulatory frameworks

• Understanding of development finance and funding structures

• Understanding of legal agreements in property development

• Knowledge of property markets and trends

• Awareness of competitor activity

• Understanding of investment and development viability

• Awareness of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles

• Understanding of sustainability and social value requirements in development projects

• Familiarity with corporate governance, approval processes, and reporting requirements at senior and board level

• High level of professionalism and integrity

• Proactive and opportunity-focused mindset

• Strong collaborative approach with internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities

• Commitment to continuous improvement and team development

• Comfortable operating in high-profile, high-ambiguity environments with a requirement to balance pace of delivery with robust governance and risk management