Development Manager | Design-led Developer | Sydney

Assistant Development Manager or Development Manager | Independent property developer · Sydney Full-time | Permanent | Architecture degree required | Retail & Mixed-Use | $1B+ pipeline

Salary: $90K - $140K + super (negotiable depending on the level of experience you are bringing)

The opportunity

A rare chance to step into genuine project ownership at a design-led, privately owned developer with a billion-dollar, multi-sector pipeline - and do it earlier in your career than most shops would allow.

We're recruiting on behalf of a well-established, independent Sydney developer with over 15 years in the market, 80+ properties, and a live development pipeline exceeding $1 billion. Their work spans neighbourhood retail, mixed-use, childcare, residential and commercial - and they're known for competing on design as much as on returns.

This role suits a strong Assistant Development Manager ready to make the jump, or a Development Manager earlier in their journey who wants genuine ownership of projects and a broader book than a single-asset-class operation can offer. Your architectural background will be put to real use here - design leadership is central to the role, not an afterthought.

What you'll be doing

Own projects end to end - feasibility, DA/planning, design, procurement, delivery and handover - under the direction of senior development leadership

Lead design management: directing architects and consultants,



driving design through DA and CC, and protecting design intent through value management

Manage the planning and approvals process with councils and authorities

Build and interrogate development feasibilities and project budgets, and report on cost, program and risk

Support procurement and oversee delivery alongside the project and construction team through to practical completion

Coordinate across leasing, finance and asset management to keep projects on track

What we're looking for

Around 2-6+ years in property development, ideally with retail, mixed-use or town-centre exposure

Solid feasibility skills - you can build and interrogate a development feasibility, not just read one

Hands-on DA/planning experience and confidence managing consultants and authorities directly

Commercially sharp and organised, comfortable owning project outcomes with senior oversight

Australian working rights and Sydney-based

Why this role is worth a look

Real ownership, early - run your own projects with an experienced team behind you, not years of assisting first

Design matters here - architectural judgment genuinely shapes outcomes at this developer

Breadth and a explicit path up - a multi-sector pipeline means variety now and a direct route to Senior DM

Privately owned - decisions made in the building, minimal bureaucracy, and momentum you can actually feel

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📌 Development Manager | Design-led Developer | Sydney (City of Sydney)
🏢 W Talent
📍 City of Sydney