JOB DESCRIPTION
Development Manager
Vacacny Ref: A1387
Job Title:
Development Manager
Department/College:
Present Grade: 9
Estates Department, Facilities Division
Directly responsible to:
Assistant Director of Estates (Development)
Supervisory responsibility for: Small team of Senior project managers, project managers and assistant project
managers
Purpose of job
As part of the Estates Development Team you will be responsible for the project management of a number of
strategic capital and revenue projects, designed by external consultants in accordance with relevant service level
agreements, business plans, KPIs and University/Estates procedures.
You will be required to successfully manage projects from initial feasibility study through to the furnishing and
commissioning of a building.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities or Duties:
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To take responsibility for and ensure that development projects are completed on time, to budget, at the
appropriate quality and in accordance with the Client’s requirements and expectations.
Acting as lead advisor to our internal clients on all estate and construction matters, engendering a sense of
ownership in clients/users and managing relationships
Lead the preparation of business cases and outline briefs
Working with the Finance Division and external advisors, assist in the preparation of cash flow forecasts
and life cycle costing
Review property options, development potential of assets and preparation of investment appraisals
Manage estates management work in connection with third parties including, Innovation Companies,
Student’s Union and other tenants
Instigate and manage feasibility studies developing how projects fit with long term University Strategy
Formulate procurement strategy for projects in conjunction with key stakeholders and in liaison with the
University Procurement section
Lead on the appointment, induction and management of external and internal design teams and other
professional advisors in accordance with University procedures and utilising the University Framework
Agreement where appropriate
Prepare estimates and outline costs, setting and agreeing cost limits for projects
Agreeing budgets, cash flow forecasts, financial reporting procedures and final accounts. Manage pre and
post-contract costs against agreed budgets
Manage the development of design proposals that complement the Master plan, provide value for money,
that are affordable to maintain, comply with legislation and good practice, meet University sustainability
standards, innovate and satisfy the requirements of the brief
Lead and manage co-ordination of all inputs to the projects for which he/she is responsible including
internal client departments, external designers, planning authorities, building regulations, Information
Systems Services, Safety Office, other Estates and Facilities colleagues etc in accordance with agreed
standards and procedures
Manage both design and contract programmes with designers and contractors and monitoring to ensure
programme objectives are achieved for all projects which you are responsible for
Manage the co-ordination of the commissioning, furnishing and handover of new and refurbished
buildings/accommodation
Lead the liaison and meetings with client groups, design teams, maintenance teams, facilities management
teams and others during the design, contract and handover period
Ensure that there is effective cost management on the projects for which you are responsible, providing
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regular reporting and ensure that any financial or time issues/problems/concerns are notified to the
Assistant Director of Estates (Development) at the earliest opportunity, including variations and claims
Actively monitor performance of Consultants and Contractors to meet the University’s requirements,
provide recommendations/reports on action required to ensure the Universities interests are protected.
Responsible for preparing information and reports on the projects for which you are responsible and
presenting them to relevant University committees as and when required in an accurate and timely
manner
Manage works in progress; lead, direct and co-ordinate internal site supervision staff and/or external
consultants involved in projects ensuring that work is delivered to the highest possible standards. Take
appropriate action where performance falls below the standards required.
Manage the preparation and dissemination of post contract project reviews following consultation with
project stakeholders ensuring that key lessons learned are circulated to internal and external teams
Responsible for the maintenance of documentation and records in accordance with quality standards and
the co-ordination and updating of the University Record Drawings database
To serve as a senior member of the Development Team and contribute as a team member to the
formulation of policy and its implementation.
Support the delivery of an effective and professional project management service by leading by example,
sharing knowledge and providing support to team members as required
Responsible for ensuring safe working practices across all development, construction and engineering
project work, developing and enforcing clear guidelines and liaising with the Estates Health and Safety
team to ensure the health and safety of self, team and other parties at all times
Work closely with the senior management team to provide estates input into the development of strategic
plans
Lead, motivate and manage a small team of project managers (of varying grades)
Undertake regular performance and development reviews and make recommendations on future
development and training needs
Effectively monitor, check and approve work delegated to more junior staff
Build expert knowledge and work across the Division to share lessons learnt and best practice
To deliver a customer focused service to internal clients and ensure that regular customer surveys are
undertaken as a performance improvement tool, through Customer Services
To undertake the role in line with Facilities Division and University values and standards
To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required consistent with the grade of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Development Manager
Vacacny Ref: A1387
Criteria
Educated to degree level in a construction related discipline - Surveying, Building
Engineering or Architecture and hold a relevant professional qualification (RICS, MCIOB,
CEng, RIBA)
Essential/
Desirable
Essential
MSc in specific related activities (project or construction management)
Desirable
Active membership of a professional project management body (APM or similar)
Desirable
Significant experience and evidence of successfully leading and managing major
building/capital projects (e.g. in excess of £5M) from inception through to completion.
Essential
Experience of undertaking major projects in Higher Education or a similar complex
organisation
Desirable
Experience of appointment and management of consultants (e.g. Architects, QS, M & E
engineers, Structural Engineers and project managers)
Essential
Experience of overseeing major construction activities, including the appointment and
management and selection of contractors via EU procurement process. Wide knowledge
of the various methods of construction procurement (professional services and
contracting)
Essential
In depth knowledge of contractual strategies including a working knowledge of the
various forms of contracts and dealing with contractual claims
Essential
Experience in dealing with planning and building regulation applications
Essential
Knowledge and experience of sustainable building design and technologies
Essential
Experience of providing strategic estate management and property acquisition/disposal
advice, exploring development potential, working with Land Registry, agents and solicitors
Desirable
Financially numerate, with the ability to comprehend corporate/project finances, budgets
and business issues sufficiently in order to produce: management reports, budget
proposals, recommendations, and facilitate the management of cost, resources and time
Essential
Highly developed interpersonal, influencing and communication skills (both oral and
written), including the ability to:
Essential

establish and maintain excellent working relationships with
customers,
colleagues

establish and maintain excellent working relationships with teams of
highly
qualified professionals, and to be socially confident within a wide
circle of contacts

conduct meetings and present complex information and proposals in a clear and
concise manner

write clear and concise reports and other professional documentation

direct, influence and motivate teams successfully by engendering good
team spirit, without being authoritarian

understand the wider context of the Facilities Divisions role within the
University

facilitate communication for projects, campus development and strategic
planning

identify key issues and ask searching questions in a diplomatic, assertive
yet inoffensive manner

deal sensitively with confidential information

analyse, process and understand complex contract, financial and statistical
information

solve complex and often interrelated problems occurring within and between
projects and differing areas of responsibility

work proactively individually and/or as part of a team, be able to prioritise,
meet tight deadlines and work under pressure with a high level of initiative

ability to continually perform at a high level, demonstrating tenacity,
determination and commitment to achieve desired results and reacting positively
to any opposition or conflict

influence and negotiate with a proven ability to build strong
relationships with
senior stakeholders

work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
A working knowledge of:
Essential
Health & Safety legislation, particularly
CDM Regulations
Planning legislation
Building regulations
Contractual practices and procedures
Value engineering
Procurement strategies
Whole life cycle costing
Risk management
Good working knowledge of relevant planning in Health and Safety law, Equality Act and
other relevant legislation
Desirable
The flexibility to accommodate frequently changing customer needs and changing
workloads
Essential
Proficient IT skills including use of the Microsoft office suite and project management
tools including Microsoft Project.
Essential
Highly customer focused
Essential
Delivery focused
Essential