Development Manager | Design-led Developer | Sydney

Assistant Development Manager or Development Manager | Independent property developer · Sydney
Full-time | Permanent | Architecture degree required | Retail & Mixed-Use | $1B+ pipeline

Salary: $90K - $140K + super (negotiable depending on the level of experience you are bringing)

The opportunity

A rare chance to step into genuine project ownership at a design-led, privately owned developer with a billion-dollar, multi-sector pipeline — and do it earlier in your career than most shops would allow.

We're recruiting on behalf of a well-established, independent Sydney developer with over 15 years in the market, 80+ properties, and a live development pipeline exceeding $1 billion. Their work spans neighbourhood retail, mixed-use, childcare, residential and commercial — and they're known for competing on design as much as on returns.

This role suits a strong Assistant Development Manager ready to make the jump, or a Development Manager earlier in their journey who wants genuine ownership of projects and a broader book than a single-asset-class operation can offer. Your architectural background will be put to real use here — design leadership is central to the role, not an afterthought.

What you'll be doing

• Own projects end to end — feasibility, DA/planning, design, procurement, delivery and handover — under the direction of senior development leadership
• Lead design management: directing architects and consultants, driving design through DA and CC, and protecting design intent through value management
• Manage the planning and approvals process with councils and authorities
• Build and interrogate development feasibilities and project budgets, and report on cost, program and risk
• Support procurement and oversee delivery alongside the project and construction team through to practical completion
• Coordinate across leasing, finance and asset management to keep projects on track

What we're looking for

• A degree in architecture — essential
• Around 2–6+ years in property development, ideally with retail, mixed-use or town-centre exposure
• Solid feasibility skills — you can build and interrogate a development feasibility, not just read one
• Hands-on DA/planning experience and confidence managing consultants and authorities directly
• Commercially sharp and organised, comfortable owning project outcomes with senior oversight
• Australian working rights and Sydney-based

Why this role is worth a look

• Real ownership, early — run your own projects with an experienced team behind you, not years of assisting first
• Design matters here — architectural judgment genuinely shapes outcomes at this developer
• Breadth and a clear path up — a multi-sector pipeline means variety now and a direct route to Senior DM
• Privately owned — decisions made in the building, minimal bureaucracy, and momentum you can actually feel

If you're an experienced Development Manager or an Assistant / Junior Development Manager with a background or studies in Architecture who is ready to step up, we want to hear from you today!

Please APPLY via SEEK or for a confidential conversation, please send your CV to [email protected] or call me on Mob: [0485 976 584](tel:0485 976 584)