Development Project Manager
- London
- £70,000 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
Pay Band: Band 3
Salary: Upto £70K + TfL benefits
Contract Type: Full-time, PermanentHybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.Job Purpose:To lead and manage the end-to-end delivery of property development projects across Places for London's portfolio, with a focus on unlocking and realising value from TfL-owned land. The Development Project Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping sustainable, inclusive, and commercially viable developments-often in partnership with private sector developers-while aligning with wider transport, housing, and placemaking objectives.The role involves managing projects through all RIBA stages, from feasibility and planning to construction and handover. It requires close coordination with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with strategic goals.Key Accountabilities :Project DeliveryLead the end-to-end delivery of development projects across all RIBA stages, ensuring alignment with Places for London's strategic priorities. Manage project scope, budget, programme, and risk across multiple sites with varying complexity.Vacant Possession and Site ReadinessLead the strategy and execution of delivering vacant possession for development sites, coordinating with operational teams, tenants, legal, and other stakeholder teams to mitigate delays and ensure timely delivery. Manage dependencies such as relocation, lease surrenders, and possession strategies, particularly in TfL operational environments.Enabling Works and Site PreparationScope, procure, and manage enabling works packages, including site investigations, surveys, utility diversions and demolition, to de-risk delivery. Coordinate with operational stakeholders (e.g. LU, infrastructure protection, Network Rail) to deliver safe, sequenced, and compliant works on or adjacent to transport assets.Joint Venture Monitoring and Intelligent Client RoleRepresent Places for London as an informed and active client within Joint Venture (JV) governance structures. Monitor the JV partner performance against business plans, legal agreements and delivery obligations. Provide challenge, direction, and assurance to Places for London, drawing on commercial, design, and delivery expertise.Commercial and Financial OversightWork with Developments Managers to deliver financially viable schemes that maximise value for TfL, including optimising land use, assessing viability, and negotiating commercial terms. Monitor project cashflows and forecasts, managing cost exposure and reporting financial performance. Ensure that all decisions are underpinned by robust financial and risk analysis.Stakeholder and Partner EngagementAct as the key liaison between TfL internal teams (e.g. LU operations, engineering, legal, commercial) and external partners (e.g. JV developers). Manage stakeholder expectations and build trusted relationships to enable project success.Contract and Procurement OversightSupport the procurement of professional teams, contractors, and developers in line with TfL's procurement governance and public sector transparency standards. Manage and monitor legal agreements including Development Agreements, Leases, and Planning Agreements.Design, Sustainability and PlacemakingEnsure developments meet high design standards, TfL's Sustainable Development Framework, and safety/security requirements. Champion inclusive design, biodiversity net gain, and long-term placemaking value in the built environment.Reporting and GovernancePrepare and present papers to internal boards, including Investment Groups and TfL governance panels. Maintain accurate project records, action trackers, reports, and risk registers to support transparent and robust decision-making.Safety, Health & EnvironmentEnsure health, safety, and environmental (SHE) considerations are embedded across all project stages, including CDM compliance and oversight of contractor safety performance. Support assurance processes including gateway reviews, project audits, and independent reviews.Team Collaboration and LeadershipContribute to a high-performing and inclusive team culture within Places for London. Provide guidance and oversight to APMs, Graduates, Apprentices, and support team development as appropriateSkills, Knowledge and Experience:Skills
- Project Leadership: Ability to lead the delivery of complex property development projects, balancing competing demands on scope, time, cost, quality, and risk.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to assess viability, manage costs, and drive value through development.
- Financial Management: Competence in managing budgets, monitoring financial performance, and controlling project and enabling works expenditure.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills to influence, negotiate, and build trusted relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to analyse complex project challenges and identify pragmatic solutions that align with strategic objectives.
- Governance and Reporting: Ability to prepare clear, concise reports, board papers, and presentations for senior audiences; strong attention to detail in project tracking and governance compliance.
- Contract Management: Skilled in managing legal agreements, consultant appointments, and monitoring Joint Venture performance.
- Planning and Organising: Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and prioritise effectively across a busy project portfolio.
- Technical Coordination: Ability to work across technical disciplines (planning, engineering, design, sustainability, construction) to ensure coordinated project delivery.
- Safety Leadership: Ability to embed Safety, Health & Environment best practice at all stages of project delivery, ensuring compliance with CDM and wider SHE regulations.
- Team Collaboration: Ability to contribute to a high-performing, inclusive team culture; provide mentoring and support to junior colleagues.
- Recognised professional accreditation (MRICS, CIOB, MAPM or equivalent), or evidence of working towards accreditation.
- Strong knowledge of the UK Building Regulations and associated Approved Documents.
- Excellent knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and relevant health and safety regulations.
- Strong understanding of standard UK construction industry processes, including the RIBA Plan of Work
- Good knowledge of UK construction industry procurement and contracts procedures.
- Strong understanding of programme and project management methodologies, tools, and processes.
- In-depth knowledge of the end-to-end property development lifecycle, from feasibility through to delivery and handover.
- Strong understanding of Joint Venture structures, Development Agreements, Leases, and related commercial and legal frameworks.
- Knowledge of planning policy and statutory planning processes.
- Solid understanding of financial viability, budgeting, cost control, and cashflow management in property development projects.
- Knowledge of vacant possession and enabling works strategies, particularly within operational transport environments.
- Awareness of TfL's operational transport business and the interface with Places Property Development Projects.
- Good knowledge of the commercial and residential property market within London.
- Good understanding of design quality, sustainability standards, and placemaking, including application of the TfL Sustainable Development Framework.
- Significant experience delivering complex property development projects through all RIBA stages, from feasibility to completion and handover (essential)
- Experience managing projects with operational transport or infrastructure interfaces (e.g. within TfL or similar urban environments).
- Proven experience managing vacant possession, enabling works, and site preparation to unlock development sites.
- Experience working within or alongside Joint Venture structures and acting as an intelligent client in commercial partnerships.
- Strong track record of financial management, including budget development, cost control, forecasting, and reporting.
- Experience in contract management, consultant procurement, and negotiation of key project agreements (e.g. Development Agreements, Leases, Planning Agreements).
- Experience working with public-sector governance processes, reporting frameworks, and assurance requirements.
- Strong experience in influencing and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (internal and external), including senior leadership.
- Experience in applying and promoting high standards of design, sustainability, and placemaking within development projects.
- Practical experience embedding health, safety, and environmental best practice across project delivery.
- Experience mentoring and developing junior team members (desirable).
- Final salary pension scheme
- Free travel for you on the TfL network
- Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket
- 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
- TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow.
- Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
- Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
- Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
- Discounted Eurostar travel