Development Manager - Data Centres

Development Manager
- Data Centres

Department: Project Management

Employment Type: Permanent
- Full Time

Location: London

Title: Development Manager

Discipline: Project Management

Sector: Advanced Tech / Data Centres

Location: London

Reporting To: Associate / Senior Associate

At RLB, we live by four simple ideas:
Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.

We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives – we think they are priceless.

Bring them to RLB and you’ll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways.

We’ll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector.

You’ll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights.

What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee-owned business, teamwork and collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.

Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.

Our Development Management team sits within RLB’s Project Management service line, providing specialist development expertise that bridges client strategy and project delivery. Working closely with developers, consultants, authorities and delivery partners, we help clients navigate complex challenges, manage risk, and drive projects forward through critical development milestones. Our focus is on establishing robust development strategies, securing approvals, coordinating multidisciplinary stakeholders, and ensuring projects are well positioned for delivery.

We are seeking a specialist Development Manager to support strategic development programmes across the UK and Europe. This role will play a key part in guiding projects through their permitting, planning and pre-construction phases, while coordinating cross‑functional teams and maintaining strong relationships with authorities and stakeholders.

The role offers an opportunity to work on major, high‑profile international development programmes in a dynamic, collaborative environment, with multidisciplinary experts across the UK and Europe.

• Lead the permitting, zoning, planning and development approvals process for multiple large-scale projects within the region.
• Conduct due diligence assessments across design and construction phases, ensuring risks are identified early and appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Manage project development budgets and support progression through internal decision gates up to construction launch.
• Engage with landowners, developers and external partners to negotiate development agreements and support acquisition activities.
• Represent RLB and our clients in meetings with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), regulatory bodies, infrastructure providers, and local stakeholders.
• Coordinate infrastructure requirements—including utilities, access, and local improvement obligations—during project scoping and permitting.
• Collaborate with engineering, environmental, legal, construction and operations teams to ensure alignment on permitting pathways and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and present clear, high‑quality reports on project progress, risks, and permitting status to both internal teams and client leadership.
• Support the development of regional strategies informed by market conditions, regulatory frameworks, and client demand.
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