Development Manager – Data Centres

Overview

In this Development Manager role, you guide complex development programs from permitting through pre-construction, coordinating cross-functional teams and stakeholders. You’ll shape development strategies, secure approvals, and manage risk across UK and Europe projects. The role sits in RLB’s Project Management practice, delivering high-profile, multi-disciplinary work for clients and partners. You’ll thrive in an inclusive, collaborative culture that values growth, mentoring, and hands-on impact in major projects.

Pay / Benefits

• Hybrid working
• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Private healthcare
• APC and mentoring schemes
• Season ticket loan

Responsibilities

• Lead permitting, zoning, planning and development approvals for large-scale projects in the region
• Perform due diligence across design and construction to identify risks and mitigation
• Manage development budgets and progress through internal decision gates toward construction
• Engage landowners, developers and partners to negotiate development agreements and support acquisitions
• Represent RLB in meetings with AHJs, regulatory bodies, utilities and local stakeholders
• Coordinate infrastructure requirements during scoping and permitting
• Collaborate with engineering, environmental, legal, construction and operations teams on permitting paths and compliance
• Prepare and present progress and risk reports to internal teams and client leadership
• Support regional strategy development based on market conditions and regulatory frameworks
• Maintain relationships with brokers, developers, government agencies and community stakeholders
• Track portfolio-level metrics including timelines, risks, and pipeline health

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, or related discipline
• Experience in land development, real estate, infrastructure or large-scale project delivery
• Experience on data centre developments (highly desirable)
• Proven track record securing zoning, planning or permitting approvals
• Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder relationship building
• Experience in development-related due diligence and commercial negotiations with landowners and partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication with high attention to detail

• client-focused
• team player
• strong communication
• zoning and permitting processes
• due diligence (development, technical, commercial)
• regulatory compliance

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