Development Manager; FTC

Development Manager (6m FTC covering long-term sick leave)

Salary: £72,610 + Excellent Benefits

Location:

High Wycombe, Letchworth + Hybrid Working (2–3 days per week in the office/on site visits, 2–3 per week working from home).

Are you looking to join a growing, values‑led organisation with a clear social purpose?

At Settle Paradigm, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 27,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire.

Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high‑quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising the number of new affordable homes we build. Through our merger we’ve brought together shared values, skills and ambition, so we can build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve.

If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.

You’ll report to the Head of Project Delivery and work alongside a talented team of Development Managers, Design & Quality specialists, New Business colleagues, Sales teams and Aftercare. Together, you’ll ensure each project progresses through the development lifecycle with strong commercial oversight, robust risk management and a relentless focus on quality.

You’ll coordinate external consultants, contractors and house builders, ensuring compliance with contractual, legal, financial and health & safety requirements. You’ll also maintain accurate scheme files, manage budgets, monitor risks and ensure all documentation meets audit and Homes England standards.

This is a collaborative, cross‑functional role where you’ll influence decisions, solve problems and help deliver homes that residents are proud to live in.

This role is offered as a 6‑month fixed‑term contract to provide cover during a period of long‑term sickness absence.

• Manage a portfolio of development projects from inception to completion
• Ensure projects meet Paradigm’s requirements across contractual compliance, programme, legal, audit, health & safety and quality
• Provide monthly progress reports, highlighting risks, opportunities and variances
• Work closely with Design & Quality, New Business, Sales and Aftercare teams
• Carry out financial appraisals and maintain accurate cost forecasts
• Manage project budgets, raise purchase orders and receive completed works
• Ensure compliance with standards, policies, procedures and statutory requirements
• Maintain accurate scheme files for audit, Homes England and charging requirements
• Complete and maintain project risk assessments and risk registers
• Oversee Employer’s Agent and Clerk of Works activity, escalating issues as needed
• Ensure all projects comply with health & safety procedures
• Support customer issue resolution and manage end‑of‑defects processes
• Conduct project evaluations and lessons‑learned reviews to drive improvement

• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent experience in a construction‑related discipline
• Strong understanding of affordable housing, development processes and planning
• Commercial approach to contract management with third parties
• Experience using structured project management approaches
• Strong literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Knowledge of contract legislation
• Understanding of development appraisal methodology and financial monitoring
• Experience in main contractor/subcontractor procurement
• Market and tender awareness
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
  
  Strong cross‑organisational collaboration skills
• Full driving licence and access to a car

• Strong knowledge of construction contract types
• Membership of CIOB, RICS or similar
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification

• Annual salary: £72,610 per annum
• 25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
• Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
• Family‑friendly leave:
  Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids’ cover)
• Life cover and…