Senior Development Manager

• Job reference number: 044368
• Contract type: 1 x Permanent & 1 x Fixed Term Contract/Secondment Opportunity (to October 2024)
• Position Type - Full Time
• Salary: £75,750 per annum
• Grade: 12

Closing date: 29 November 2023 at 23:59:00

Interview date: 13-19 December 2023 (may be subject to change)

About the role

This is your opportunity to help shape Old Oak and Park Royal, the only place where High Speed Two, the Elizabeth Line and Great Western will all connect into one of the largest and best-connected regeneration projects in the UK. Working closely with other public sector partners, the 90 acres of development land in Old Oak West brings tremendous opportunities to see a renewed and truly exemplary urban district emerge – one that showcases environmental, social, and economic innovation and best practice and which delivers genuinely inclusive growth for existing and future communities alike.

It is this challenge that the Mayor of London has set for us at the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). As we gear up for delivery, we are keen to expand our development team by appointing experienced development, regeneration, and project management professionals to help us shape this part of west London.

This is a unique opening for individuals with an interest in working across commercial, residential, industrial and infrastructure development. As part of a close-knit team, and working closely with colleagues in government, the GLA, our three host boroughs and local businesses, you will be responsible for activities that could include land and property acquisition; developer procurement; funding and financing; and the formulation and delivery of major development opportunities.

You will have experience of development, regeneration, and infrastructure projects, preferably in a complex stakeholder environment, as well as relevant project management skills. You will need strong organisational skills and personal resilience to thrive in a busy and demanding environment. Ideal candidates will be confident communicators, excellent relationship managers, and share our commitment and enthusiasm for regeneration.

Part of a small team of development managers and reporting to the Assistant Director of Development. This role requires the leadership of both internal and consultant teams. For the right candidates, these roles offer excellent opportunities for personal and career development.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. We are therefore especially keen to hear from applicants whose experience and work, in and out of paid employment, can bring a deep understanding of working in a multi-cultural, dynamic and diverse environment.

Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

For further information on the role, to view a copy of the job description and candidate pack, and to see other vacancies currently available at OPDC, please visit: https://www.workingatopdc.com/opdc-jobs/

Principal accountabilities

1. Support and input into OPDC’s strategic development plans for Old Oak and Park Royal including land assembly strategy, development viability, phasing and delivery.
2. Support OPDC’s strategic financing plans including the input to support Green Book business cases, development joint ventures, land disposal, debt investment, infrastructure investment and grant funding as required.
3. Manage Business Planning with accurate forecasting/modelling of development cashflows including expenditure, receipts, and valuation over time.
4. Responsible for the development and capital projects including the acquisition and development of land, the commercialisation of existing land and direct or joint venture development activity.
5. Define the development concept, project outputs, outcomes, and performance measures demonstrating a clear link to strategic regeneration and economic development objectives.
6. Identify and promote new development opportunities that meet the OPDC’s objectives.
7. Commission and direct multi-disciplinary consultancy teams and professionally appraise consultancy outputs.
8. Develop and manage key relationships with landowners, developers, investors, joint venture partners and other key commercial stakeholders.
9. Responsible for the preparation and presentation of update/approval papers for the OPDC Board and Investment Committee as well as any other appropriate decision making forums.
10. Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities, and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.

The OPDC Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: OPDC/GLA competency framework.

This role is based at Brent Civic Centre (32 Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ).

OPDC staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

Application Process & Additional Information

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and cover letter are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345).

Applications submitted without a Covering Letter will not be considered.

London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

To reflect the competitive market, there may be an opportunity for salary negotiation for high calibre applicants. This will be discussed if you are successful at interview.

In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

On this recruitment campaign, as part of OPDC’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and covering letters that could cause discrimination.

Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.

Application closing date: 29 November 2023 at 23:59:00

If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Agnes Callaghan (Assistant Director of Development) at Agnes.Callaghan@opdc.london.gov.uk or Georgie Cosh (Senior Development Manager) at Georgie.Cosh@opdc.london.gov.uk to arrange a call.

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.