Cobalt is working with a privately owned, family-run property developer with a portfolio spanning residential, hospitality and commercial assets across London and the wider UK.

With a lean management structure and an established development pipeline, the business offers direct access to senior decision-makers and involvement across the full development lifecycle. You will have the opportunity to take ownership of projects, influence commercial decisions and work closely with the owners on new and existing developments.

Its pipeline includes further hotel developments and potential mixed-use schemes, offering exposure to different asset classes and stages of delivery.

The Role/Responsibilities

Working closely with senior management, you will oversee projects from initial feasibility and acquisition through planning, construction and completion.

Development appraisals are central to this position. You will need to assess opportunities accurately and efficiently, using your commercial judgement to inform investment decisions while managing wider development responsibilities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing detailed development appraisals, financial models and feasibility assessments to evaluate potential acquisitions and investment returns.

• Managing development budgets, cash flow forecasts, funding arrangements and financial covenants.

• Liaising with banks, lenders and monitoring surveyors, coordinating drawdowns and resolving financial or commercial issues.

• Overseeing planning matters, including applications, Section 106 agreements, CIL obligations and the discharge of conditions.

• Coordinating design development through RIBA Stages 0-3, working with architects, engineers and external consultants.

• Appointing professional advisers, managing statutory approvals and supporting procurement and tendering.

• Working alongside construction teams to monitor project delivery, budgets, programmes and emerging risks.

• Supporting development agreements, property transactions and legal documentation relating to projects and funding.

• Coordinating handover and the transition of completed developments into operation.

The Skills Needed/Requirements

We are looking for a Development Manager or Development Surveyor with genuine end-to-end development experience, commercial awareness and the confidence to take ownership within a smaller business.

Your ability to produce accurate development appraisals quickly and independently is essential. You should also demonstrate:

• Experience across the development lifecycle, from acquisition and feasibility through to construction and completion.

• Working knowledge of development finance, financial modelling, cash flow forecasting and budget management.

• Understanding of planning processes, including Section 106, CIL and planning conditions.

• Confidence dealing with banks, lenders, monitoring surveyors and consultants, including challenging decisions where necessary.

• Experience coordinating multiple projects, external advisers and construction teams.

• Sound commercial judgement, attention to detail and the ability to work independently while contributing to a close-knit team.

Experience across different asset classes is advantageous, particularly hospitality, but not essential. The priority is your ability to assess opportunities commercially and manage developments regardless of sector.

This could suit someone seeking broader responsibility, direct involvement in investment decisions and the chance to work closely with the owners of an established property business.

The business is looking to appoint as soon as possible, ideally for an early 2027 start. Interviews will include a practical assessment of development appraisals and commercial problem-solving.

Applications are being considered, so we encourage you to apply promptly.

Due to the volume of applications received, if you don't hear back from us, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

If you require any adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process for any reason whatsoever, please let your Cobalt consultant know.