Development Director - Manchester

Development Director 

Build-to-Rent | Manchester

Capstone Recruitment is working exclusively with a well-capitalised international real estate investor and developer to appoint a Development Director / very Senior Development Manager to lead its Manchester and North West Build-to-Rent platform.

Backed by long-term institutional capital, the business is scaling a significant UK residential portfolio and is now seeking a senior development professional to take full regional ownership of major schemes in the North West.

The Role
This is a highly autonomous, senior position, acting as the company’s lead development presence in Manchester. You will be responsible for originating, shaping, and delivering large-scale BTR projects, working directly with senior leadership and investment teams.

Projects typically range from 250–500+ homes, with responsibility spanning early-stage feasibility through planning, delivery, and completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of major Build-to-Rent schemes across Manchester and the wider North West.
• Act as the senior regional representative, managing local authorities, consultants, partners, and key stakeholders.
• Take ownership of technical due diligence on new development opportunities, working closely with legal and investment teams.
• Drive schemes through pre-planning, planning, and delivery, managing professional teams and external consultants.
• Oversee forward-funded and joint venture structures, ensuring projects are delivered on programme, budget, and quality.
• Work closely with the investment team on development appraisals, financial modelling, and viability assessments.
• Champion sustainability and ESG principles across all developments.
• Contribute to the strategic growth of a long-term UK Build-to-Rent platform, with a particular focus on regional cities.

Candidate Profile

• Degree qualified in Surveying, Property, Construction, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Typically 8–12+ years’ experience in residential development, with exposure to large-scale schemes.
• Strong track record delivering complex BTR, PRS, or major residential developments, ideally in Manchester or the North West.
• Comfortable operating autonomously with strong commercial judgement and stakeholder presence.
• Deep technical knowledge across planning, construction, procurement, and building regulations.
• Experience working with institutional capital, forward-funding, or joint venture structures is highly advantageous.