Development Manager — Powered Land / Data Centres

Sydney The opportunity A Sydney-based real estate fund manager is launching a new strategy focused on "powered land" for data centres. The strategy originates greenfield sites, secures the development pathway — most critically power and grid connection — and sells development-ready sites to data centre developers and hyperscalers ahead of construction. This is a rare opportunity to join a well-backed platform at inception and hold a central delivery role in one of the most active thematics in real assets.

Who we're looking for

This role will suit someone from an engineering, architectural or project-management background — people used to running structured processes end to end, managing consultants and working through technical detail.

Experience on data centre, electrical infrastructure or property development projects is a bonus, but the core of it is delivery discipline and the ability to keep complex, multi-stakeholder processes on track. Ideally you'll have 3-10 years experience — established enough to run complex processes independently, but still hands-on and energised by a build-from-inception delivery role.

The role The Development Manager will be responsible for managing the end-to-end development process across the fund's development pipeline, from site acquisition and due diligence through planning, infrastructure approvals and delivery.

The role will work closely with the investment team and manage a broad range of external consultants, authorities, landowners, utilities and other stakeholders to ensure projects progress efficiently and in accordance with approved investment objectives.

Key Responsibilities

- Manage site acquisition and due diligence processes, including coordinating legal, planning, environmental, engineering and technical investigations.
- Run development processes from acquisition through to approvals and delivery, including establishing and maintaining project programmes and critical paths.




- Appoint and manage third-party consultants, ensuring clear scopes, deliverables, budgets and timeframes.
- Prepare, maintain and report on development budgets, including consultant costs, infrastructure costs, contingencies and project expenditure.
- Manage planning, statutory and other government approval processes.
- Manage infrastructure and servicing requirements, including electricity, water, sewer, telecommunications and roads.
- Manage power connection applications and processes with relevant authorities and network service providers, coordinating electrical consultants and technical advisers.
- Review and understand technical reports, engineering advice and infrastructure proposals, identifying risks and commercial implications.
- Coordinate design and technical workstreams through feasibility, approvals and delivery.
- Identify, manage and mitigate development risks, maintaining focus on programme, cost and investment outcomes.
- Provide regular reporting to the investment team on project progress, budget, risks, approvals and key decisions.
- Support the investment team with development feasibility, acquisition analysis and investment decision-making.

Required Capabilities

- Ability to independently run and manage complex development processes.
- Strong project, programme and consultant management skills.
- Demonstrated budgeting and financial management capability.
- Solid understanding of planning, approvals and infrastructure processes.
- Technical capability across civil, electrical and infrastructure disciplines, with experience in power applications and high-voltage infrastructure highly desirable.
- Strong commercial judgement and understanding of development feasibility and investment returns.
- Ability to understand, challenge and synthesise technical advice.
- Robust communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Highly organised, proactive and accountable, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and drive outcomes.
- Some experience in property development and site acquisitions.

📌 Development Manager | Data Centres/Powered Land (Southern Sydney)
🏢 Foundry Talent Partners
📍 Southern Sydney