About: Hamlet Living

Hamlet Living is a boutique over-50s community developer and operator, bringing a fresh approach to Australia's fast-growing land lease sector. Where most operators build large-scale communities of hundreds of homes, we take the opposite approach: intimate communities of 50 to 80 homes, designed with genuine care and set in appealing locations close to town centres, where design quality and real connection between neighbours come first.

We're led by co-founders James Kelly, who brings a background in construction, development and property funds management, and leads acquisition and delivery, and Cecelia Hund, who brings a challenger-brand and customer-experience lens to how our communities are designed, marketed and operated.

We're chaired by James Kelly Senior, founder and ex-CEO of Lifestyle Communities, who grew that business to 33 communities and more than 5,500 residents over two decades, and who now assists in guiding Hamlet's strategy and growth.

Marion Wood leads our sales, bringing 15 years of land lease experience, including a track record as one of Lifestyle Communities' top-performing salespeople.

As a founder-led business with big ambitions, every person on our small team has real influence over how we design, build and grow. And as we open recent communities across Victoria, we're looking for people who want to grow with us.

The project: Hamlet Lilydale

Hamlet Lilydale is our flagship development at 375 Swansea Road, Lilydale; 50 homes and clubhouse set in a beautiful location beside Bellbird Park and Lillydale Lake, around 34km east of Melbourne's CBD.

Olinda Lodge is our clubhouse and the community's primary gathering space, designed as a modern country lodge. Inside a social kitchen, bar and lounge, along with a dedicated ‘wellness space’ featuring spa, sauna and gym facilities.

Homes range from two to three bedrooms with one or two car garages, and are purpose-designed for downsizers:



open-plan living and dining areas oriented for natural light, and thoughtful details like walk-in robes, study nooks and sheltered verandas. Every home will be built to a high standard of energy efficiency, with double glazing and high-performance insulation throughout, producing something that’s genuinely low-maintenance and built to last.

The role

We're looking for a dynamic, hands-on Project Manager to lead the construction of Hamlet Lilydale from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of delivering a landmark project for Hamlet.

You'll be the day-to-day driver of the build: managing trades, contractors and consultants on site, holding the program and budget, and making sure quality and safety standards are met at every stage, from the civil works and services through to Olinda Lodge, home construction, landscaping and handover.

As Hamlet Living expands into new sites, there will be scope for the right person to grow with the business, shaping our construction function company-wide. Current pipeline sites include Castlemaine and Mornington.

Key responsibilities

- Manage end-to-end delivery of the Hamlet Lilydale construction program, from site establishment through to practical completion and handover.
- Plan, coordinate and supervise builders, trades, subcontractors and suppliers on site.
- Own the construction budget and program, tracking costs, variations and timelines, and reporting progress to leadership.
- Ensure all work complies with the building code, planning permits, WHS requirements and Hamlet's quality standards.




- Run tender processes, and negotiate and administer contracts with builders and subcontractors.
- Identify and resolve on-site issues quickly, keeping the project moving without compromising quality.
- Liaise with architects, engineers, consultants and local council on design and compliance matters.
- Maintain accurate project documentation, schedules and reporting.
- Help shape and improve Hamlet's construction processes and standards as we scale into future communities.

About you

- 5–10 years' experience in residential or land lease project management or construction.
- A true self-starter, comfortable taking ownership without layers of process or oversight. You'll help build the playbook, not just follow one.
- Strong working knowledge of the building code, WHS legislation and construction contracts in Victoria.
- An excellent communicator who builds trust easily with trades, consultants, council and the Hamlet team alike.
- Calm and decisive under pressure, with sharp problem-solving instincts on site.
- Genuinely energised by being part of a small, fast-growing business, with the ambition to help shape a company's construction function as it scales.
- A relevant trade or construction management qualification (e.g. Diploma or degree in Construction Management, Builder's registration) highly regarded.

What we offer

- The chance to lead construction on a flagship project for a new and ambitious land lease developer.
- Real scope to grow into a senior construction leadership role as Hamlet Living expands to new communities.
- A close-knit, founder-led team where your ideas directly shape how we build.
- A flat structure where decisions get made quickly, without the red tape or politics of a larger organisation.
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.

How to apply

- Send your CV to James Kelly at [email protected].

📌 Project Manager (Australia)
🏢 Hamlet Living
📍 Australia