Senior Development Manager
Barking, East London
Competitive Salary + Benefits
Hybrid Working

About Be First

Be First is the urban regeneration company for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, established to accelerate growth, investment and opportunity across one of Londons most ambitious boroughs. Working at the forefront of regeneration, development and capital delivery, Be First is transforming communities through the delivery of new homes, improved public infrastructure, schools, civic buildings and high-quality public spaces.

With a strong focus on creating sustainable places and delivering lasting social value, Be First works closely with Barking and Dagenham Council, development partners, contractors and local communities to deliver projects that make a real difference to residents and businesses. The organisation has built a reputation for innovation, collaboration and successful delivery, playing a key role in shaping the future of Barking and Dagenham.

As a result of continued growth within the development programme, Be First is seeking an experienced Senior Development Manager to join its talented Development Team.

The Role

The Senior Development Manager will lead the delivery of complex housing-led regeneration and development projects on behalf of Be First and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. This will include projects delivered directly by Be First, through regeneration partnerships, joint ventures and collaborations with private sector partners.

This is a client-side development role requiring strong commercial acumen, stakeholder management skills and a proven track record of delivering residential-led development projects. You will be responsible for driving projects from inception through to delivery, ensuring schemes meet programme, financial, quality, sustainability and community objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the management and delivery of major regeneration and residential development projects.
• Act as client-side project lead across a portfolio of development schemes.
• Work closely with private sector partners, consultants and Council stakeholders to progress projects through key development stages.
• Prepare and maintain project plans, development programmes and delivery strategies.
• Manage multidisciplinary consultant teams and external advisers.
• Oversee development budgets, financial appraisals, cashflows and project viability.
• Monitor project performance against agreed milestones and business objectives.
• Identify, manage and mitigate project risks throughout the development lifecycle.
• Prepare high-quality reports and business cases for governance approvals and senior stakeholders.
• Lead community engagement and stakeholder consultation activities.
• Ensure compliance with Be First governance procedures, project gateways and audit requirements.
• Support and mentor junior members of the Development Team.
• Provide commercial and contractual advice to senior management where required.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Chartered Surveyor status or an equivalent professional qualification.
• A minimum of five years post-qualification experience within housing development, regeneration or property development.
• A demonstrable track record of delivering residential-led development and regeneration projects.
• Strong knowledge of development viability, financial appraisals and project funding structures.
• Experience working with development agreements, joint ventures and regeneration partnerships.
• A detailed understanding of the development process from acquisition and feasibility through to delivery.
• Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships across both public and private sector organisations.
• Experience leading consultation and engagement with local communities and residents.
• Excellent project management, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced development environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation to senior stakeholders.

Why Join Be First?

This is a unique opportunity to join one of Londons leading regeneration organisations and contribute to projects that are creating new homes, jobs and opportunities for local communities.

You will have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of regeneration and housing projects, collaborating with experienced professionals across the public and private sectors while helping to shape the future of Barking and Dagenham.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Exposure to major regeneration and housing development projects.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Collaborative and supportive working environment.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact through high-profile regeneration projects.

Apply

Goodman Masson are exclusively retained by Be First Regeneration Ltd to manage this appointment. For further information please reach out to Jamie Fitch jamie.fitch@goodmanmasson.com or Charlie Mckie Charlie.Mckie@goodmanmasson.com