Senior Development Manager

Senior Development Manager – Property Acquisition & Growth
Exclusive Search – High-Impact National Expansion Role

Are you a seasoned property development professional with a passion for identifying high-potential sites and turning them into thriving commercial assets? Our client—an iconic, fast-growing national brand—is seeking an exceptional Senior Development Manager to lead site acquisitions and drive a major expansion pipeline.

This is a rare opportunity to own the full development journey: from uncovering high-value property opportunities, through feasibility and approvals, right up to site handover for construction. If you have a powerful industry network, strong commercial acumen, and thrive on creating growth through strategic real estate development, we want to hear from you.

Purpose of the Role

To identify, evaluate, and secure freehold and leasehold property opportunities across designated regions, building robust business cases and guiding each site through the full acquisition and development lifecycle to support ongoing national expansion.

What You’ll Do

• Source & secure premium sites using your real estate expertise, industry connections, market knowledge, and hands-on research across targeted states.
• Conduct detailed feasibility assessments, evaluating financial viability, development potential, risks and opportunities for each proposed location.
• Present compelling business cases and recommendations to senior leadership to support investment and acquisition decisions.
• Lead the end-to-end acquisition or leasing process, collaborating closely with Legal teams, external consultants, and authorities through negotiation, approvals and documentation.
• Work with construction and specialist consultants to ensure projects progress smoothly, meeting budget, timing, and quality expectations.
• Build strong, proactive relationships with operators, internal stakeholders, landlords, vendors, and cross-functional teams to keep projects aligned and on track.
• Provide expert market insights on pricing, rents, and broader commercial considerations to guide strategic decision-making.
• Maintain a deep understanding of development standards, environmental requirements, and WHS compliance across all projects.
• Support leadership in shaping the real estate pipeline, focusing on the right geography and timing to deliver growth outcomes.
• Manage general property matters and respond to real estate-related enquiries as they arise.

What You Bring

• Tertiary qualification in real estate or a related field
• 5+ years’ experience within property, acquisitions, or commercial development
• Demonstrated success negotiating freehold and leasehold transactions
• Strong ability to build and maintain high-performing site pipelines in competitive markets
• Proven performance under pressure, with resilience and a consistently positive mindset
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including the ability to simplify complex matters and influence outcomes
• Skilled in navigating challenging conversations with constructive, solution-focused approaches
• Experience delivering growth strategies, particularly related to network expansion or new store rollouts
• Ability to prioritise and juggle multiple projects, including M&A activities and simultaneous developments
• Outstanding relationship-building skills across internal teams, external partners, and industry stakeholders
• A collaborative mindset and the drive to succeed in a fast-paced environment

Why This Role Matters

You won’t just be acquiring land—you’ll be shaping the future footprint of one of the most recognisable consumer brands in the country. This is a career-defining opportunity for a senior property professional with the vision, influence and commercial acumen to deliver high-impact growth.

If you’re ready to take on a strategic, high-autonomy development role and play a pivotal part in national expansion, we’d love to speak with you.

If you would like to hear more, call Ryan Taylor or Mallory Perkins or Jessica Platt on 0430 479 207 or send your CV to [email protected]

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To keep up to date with all our latest opportunities, head to our website www.castrecruitment.com.au or follow us on our Linkedin Page