Residential Development Manager

Job Overview

Job Description

Job Purpose
Lead the end-to-end delivery of residential development projects by sourcing and assessing opportunities, coordinating design and approvals, managing construction, and ensuring smooth handover.
Own project outcomes across the full development cycle covering land evaluation and acquisition support, financial planning and structuring, design governance, construction oversight, contractor performance, and final project delivery.
Ensure performance against targets for timeframes, budget, quality, and compliance, while partnering closely with stakeholders throughout each phase.
Key Responsibilities
Opportunity & Feasibility
Evaluate potential sites and development opportunities
Assess commercial viability, risks, and execution feasibility
Support decision-making from early concept through to go/no-go recommendations
Approvals & Regulatory Compliance
Coordinate planning and regulatory processes
Oversee documentation required for approvals and submissions
Ensure projects align with applicable local development rules and standards
Budgeting, Costing & Financial Control
Develop, manage, and monitor development budgets and cost plans
Track expenditure against forecast and manage variances proactively
Support financial structuring and reporting to relevant internal stakeholders
Construction Management & Quality Oversight
Oversee construction activities to ensure adherence to scope, schedule, and quality requirements
Manage site progress, issue resolution, and quality assurance processes
Ensure contractor deliverables meet agreed specifications and timelines
Contractor & Team Coordination
Manage professional teams and contractors effectively
Monitor performance, deliverables, and compliance expectations
Drive accountability across suppliers, consultants, and internal departments
Stakeholder Management, Communication & Reporting
Maintain clear communication with internal and external stakeholders
Provide regular progress updates, risk reporting, and decision support
Build and sustain strong working relationships to support smooth delivery
Minimum Requirements
Education
Matric / Grade 12
Bachelor’s degree in Property Development, Construction Management, Real Estate, or a related discipline
Experience
7 10 years’ experience in residential property development
Minimum 3 years in a senior development/project leadership capacity
Proven track record of delivering residential developments from inception to completion
Technical & Professional Competencies
Working knowledge of local development legislation, planning frameworks, and construction practices
Strong understanding of the complete property development lifecycle
Ability to manage multiple projects, teams, and contractors simultaneously
Financial acumen with demonstrated budget management capability
Conflict resolution skills and stakeholder negotiation ability
Personal Attributes
Strong leadership and team-management skills
Excellent communication skills, customer service mindset, and professional interpersonal skills
High levels of organization, planning, and project discipline
Computer Skills
Competency requirements
Excel (intermediate), Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
Familiarity with project software (e.g., MS Project)