Development Director

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Royal London Asset Management seeks a Development Director in London to own UK-wide development and refurbishment from brief to completion, maximizing value for clients. You will report to the Head of Development, collaborate on acquisitions and project work, and lead the wider team. MRICS or equivalent experience is required, with end-to-end development lifecycle expertise, proven leadership of development teams, planning consent capability, and strong commercial negotiation skills. In your application, focus on measurable outcomes such as value created, budgets and cashflow forecasts, planning approvals secured, and JV or partnership work. Demonstrate stakeholder management across AM IM PFM and align with RLAM’s responsible investment ethos and the Spirit of Royal London. Hybrid role, closing date 25 February 2026.

Development Director

Contract type: Permanent
Location: London
Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based
Closing date: 25th February 2026

We have a new opportunity for a Development Director to join us at Royal London Asset Management. Here you will own UK-wide development and refurbishment schemes from first brief to completion, maximising value by creating high‑quality investment assets for internal and external clients.

Reporting directly to the Head of Development, you’ll collaborate across RLAM on acquisitions, disposals and project‑specific work, while providing leadership and mentoring within the wider team.

We’re looking to speak with established professionals who can run projects independently, drawing on their own experience and expertise to hit the ground running.

About the role

• Lead the delivery of the development within agreed strategy and authorised limits, working collaboratively with Asset Managers/Investment Managers/Property Portfolio Fund Managers (AM/IM/PFM) throughout.
• Provide proactive management of risks and opportunities, and timely escalation to senior stakeholders.
• Manage design development through RIBA stages and in accordance with the project brief.
• Ensure constructive collaboration with internal stakeholders, securing relevant approvals where necessary.
• Lead selection, negotiation and performance management of consultant teams and contractors ensuring appointments optimise value, mitigate risk and support strategic outcomes.
• Provide senior oversight of development budgets, financial modelling, cashflow forecasting and commercial performance.
• Lead commercial negotiations relating to development agreements, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, ensuring RLAM secures strong, risk‑adjusted outcomes.
• As the team grows, you may be required to manage colleagues in your team so that you deliver great performance through motivating and engaging them, developing their capability and by living the Spirit of Royal London Leadership Principles and values.

About you

• MRICS qualified (or equivalent professional qualification/experience).
• Experience of all stages of the development lifecycle from acquisition/feasibility to construction completion and handover.
• Experience leading successful development teams.
• Excellent understanding of the Town Planning and experience of leading consultation and securing planning consents.
• Very good knowledge of standard construction contracts and procedures.
• Very good knowledge and understanding about sustainability issues.
• Negotiating skills, decision making ability and judgement.
• Report writing and presentational skills.
• Competent user of MS Office, including Microsoft Project Negotiating skills, decision making ability and judgement.

About Royal London Asset Management

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM), part of the Royal London Group, is one of the UK's leading fund management companies working with a wide range of clients across the globe to achieve their investment goals. Our long-term, client-driven focus means that we have a long-standing commitment to responsible investment. We act as responsible stewards of our clients’ capital, exercising their rights and influencing positive change. 

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve. 

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance.

Inclusion, diversity and belonging

We’re an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.