The Role
Manage strategic data centre development programmes across the UK and Europe, leading planning, zoning, permitting, due diligence, budgets, infrastructure coordination, stakeholder engagement, and development agreements. The role supports projects through pre-construction and decision gates, coordinates multidisciplinary consultants and authorities, tracks portfolio risks and timelines, and presents progress reports to clients and leadership.
Summary Generated by Built In
Title: Development Manager
Discipline: Project Management
Sector: Advanced Tech / Data Centres
Location: London
Location: London
Reporting To: Associate / Senior Associate
Why RLB?
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.
Role Overview
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.
Role Responsibilities
- 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.
- Maintain effective relationships with brokers, developers, government agencies and community stakeholders.
- Track and report on portfolio-level metrics including permitting timelines, risk indicators, and development pipeline health.
Candidate Profile
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, or a related discipline.
- Member of relevant professional body (MRICS, MRTPI or equivalent) is highly desirable
Experience
- Experience in land development, real estate, infrastructure, or large-scale project delivery.
- Experience working on data centre developments is highly desirable.
- Significant experience conducting development, technical and commercial due diligence for complex development projects, identifying risks, opportunities and key project constraints.
- Proven background securing zoning, planning, permitting or other regulatory approvals for complex or high-impact developments.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and build trusted relationships across diverse workstreams, driving alignment across internal and external consultants, regulatory bodies, developers and legal advisors.
- Experience developing and maintaining effective relationships with key project stakeholders, including local planning authorities, government bodies, utilities providers, landowners, and community groups.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality deliverables.
- Experience supporting land acquisitions, development agreements and commercial negotiations with landowners, developers and external partners is desirable.
Behaviours
- Recognised as a client focused, positive collaborator who shares knowledge freely and offers support to their peers and seniors. Recognised as a team player with a strong willingness to learn.
- Demonstrates a positive and proactive approach to the role, and will be committed to delivering customer service excellence, with good commercial results.
RLB Employee Benefits
Our culture is built around enabling you to fulfil your potential, so you can look forward to benefits that include:
Hybrid Working - Working patterns to support your work-life balance. As well as competitive maternity and paternity packages.
Well-Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.
Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.
Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.
Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in-house mentoring schemes.
Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.
Exceptional Exposure - You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.
Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.
Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Promise
We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution, and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. Find out more here: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - RLB | Europe
If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our recruitment team at: [email protected]
About
With a network that covers the globe and a heritage spanning over two centuries, Rider Levett Bucknall is a leading independent organisation in cost management and quantity surveying, project management and advisory services.Our achievements are renowned: from the early days of pioneering quantity surveying, to landmark projects such as the Sydney Opera House, HSBC Headquarters Building in Hong Kong, the 2012 London Olympic Games and CityCenter in Las Vegas.We continue this successful legacy with our dedication to the value, quality and sustainability of the built environment. Our innovative thinking, global reach, and flawless execution push the boundaries. Taking ambitious projects from an idea to reality.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, or a related discipline
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as MRICS or MRTPI
- Experience in land development, real estate, infrastructure, or large-scale project delivery
- Experience working on data centre developments
- Significant experience conducting development, technical, and commercial due diligence for complex projects
- Experience securing zoning, planning, permitting, or other regulatory approvals for complex developments
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building relationships across internal and external stakeholders
- Experience working with planning authorities, government bodies, utilities providers, landowners, and community groups
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality deliverables
- Experience supporting land acquisitions, development agreements, and commercial negotiations
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The Company
What We Do
Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) is a global independent construction, property, and management consultancy specializing in cost management, quantity surveying, project and programme management, and asset advisory services.
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