Development Programme Manager (Pre Contract) - 12 Month FTC

Development Programme Manager (Pre Contract) - 12 Month FTC

Location: Manchester

Salary: £67,782

• This vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to submit their application as soon as possible.*

Reporting to the Head of Pre Contract Development, the Development Programme Manager’s key responsibility, as an essential member of the team, is to deliver the Corporate Plan growth targets in line with the organisation’s Affordable Development strategy. The role has responsibility for pre contract delivery of a significant volume of new homes to achieve our development programmes ambitions.

What you’ll be doing

Play a key role in the delivery of the Great Places Affordable Development Strategy and Corporate Plan;

Assist in preparation and attainment of annual budgets and targets;

Assist in preparation of bids for funding within agreed timetables;

Programme management of a sub-programme of new business and pre-contract projects which contribute to wider departmental delivery targets;

Programme monitoring / management / reporting of new business and pre-contract projects within your team;

Line management of team members and provide a mentoring role for others in the Department;

Take the lead with continually reviewing and improving the pre-contract elements of the Development Procedure Guide in line with lessons learnt on projects and internal / external audit compliance changes;

Leadership of projects during the pre-contract stage;

Identify new development opportunities to assist the organisation in meeting growth targets, supported by maintaining a strong network of contacts and leading stakeholder engagement;

Generate, assess, secure and manage mixed tenure new business and partnership opportunities in line with priorities identified in the Affordable Development Strategy;

Project management of development process including liaison with agents, developers, Contractors, Consultants, solicitors, valuers, Local Authorities, Combined Authorities and Homes England;

Ensure all development administration takes place to agreed timetables and budgets and in accordance with the Association’s Development Procedure Guide and Homes England’s audit compliance checklist;

Ensure key audit functions are followed diligently across all pre-contract schemes within the team;

Manage risk in the pre-contract development process;

Manage the legal process and acquisition of suitable property and land;

Preparation of scheme appraisals and cash flow forecasts. Including oversight of teams appraisals and cash flow forecasts;

Ensure that social value is pursued and agreed with suppliers as part of the pre-contract process;

Preparation of written reports for approval by Executive Directors, Growth Committee and/or Board;

Liaison with Neighbourhoods, Plumlife, Repairs, Asset Management and Finance departments;

Work closely with colleagues in the post-contract team to ensure the smooth and compliant handover of schemes into post-contract management;

Liaison with other Housing Associations for whom Great Places manages development and provide associated administration service to the same standards as in-house work.

What you’ll need

Minimum five years’ experience in a property development background;

Detailed knowledge of property development process;

Other relevant experience in regeneration and/or community development;

Knowledge of operating environment and changing market conditions;

Commitment to providing excellent line management and mentoring;

Knowledge of contract procurement and contract management;

Track record of project and programme management on time, on budget and to high quality standards;

Track record of partnership working and stakeholder engagement;

Proven relationship builder and influencer with stakeholders. Ability to develop Great Places’ profile with a variety of partners and generate new business;

Experience of working within a prescribed framework but ability to think creatively to resolve problems;

Familiarity with Homes England’s requirements;

Ability to liaise with other departments to ensure delivery of wider corporate goals;

Ability to produce accurate and concise reports;

Verbal and written communication skills;

Ability to represent Great Places at a variety of levels;

Self-sufficiency in terms of administration, preparing letters and reports, accurate filing etc.;

Experience of working for a Housing Association;

Experience of working with public funding;

Proven management skills – both strategic and operational across multi-disciplinary teams;

Proven experience in policy and procedure delivery;

Experience of managing financial budgets.

What we need from you

As a line manager you will need to actively support your colleagues with their development and well-being, some experience of this is desirable but not essential as we offer full support to people transitioning into a management role;

The ability to motivate, inspire and influence colleagues;

The ability to develop and project a positive image of Great Places through personal, written and oral communication skills;

An ability to recognise, develop and effectively promote new opportunities;

A commitment to understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in the communities in which we work. We particularly value lived experience in social housing;

A passion to advocate on behalf of people and communities;

A commitment to work in partnership with others for the benefit of Great Places;

A commitment to continuous learning and improvement;

Ability to work flexibly when required.

What we give you in return for your hard work and commitment

Pension ¦ DC scheme (up to 10% contribution from both colleagues and Great Places)

WPA ¦ Healthcare scheme starts at no contribution level with £1,250 of savings available per year (option to increase & add family members)

Ways of Working¦ We offer some hybrid and flexible working

Annual leave ¦ Start at 26 days annual leave, increasing up to 30 days within 5 years + Bank Holidays

Reward & Recognition ¦ You Count Rewards are individual reward’s for going ‘above & beyond’

Professional fees ¦ The business pays the cost of one professional role related membership fee

The Market Place ¦ High street, restaurant & supermarket discounts, gym memberships, cycle to work, smart tech loans and much more

Wage Stream ¦ You can access savings opportunities and early access to wages

Health and Wellbeing Initiatives ¦ Our colleagues enjoy wellbeing campaigns throughout the year, with activities designed around our four pillars of wellbeing, these include career wellbeing, mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and financial wellbeing.

At Great Places we believe the wellbeing of our colleagues is vital to enable them to deliver to great services, all your benefits can be used inside and outside of work.

Closing date: 30th September 2026

Shortlist date: 1st October 2026

Interview date: TBC