Senior Development Manager

About The Land Development Agency

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is the State’s affordable housing delivery body. Its main role is to acquire and develop State and other land to deliver affordable homes, supporting the creation of thriving communities and delivering ongoing positive social impact. It is overseen by an independent Board of Directors and has total capitalisation of up to €8.75bn. To date €6.25 billion of equity capital has been committed by Government and a further €2.5bn capitalisation is permitted under legislation from other sources/debt.

The LDA is active on more than 20 State Land sites and has a delivery pipeline in excess of 25,000 homes. The Agency also works in partnership with the country’s largest and most experienced homebuilders and will deliver a further 8,000 homes under its Project Tosaigh initiative. Additionally, the LDA is working on large-scale longer-term strategic areas by master-planning and bringing forward planning applications in locations such as Limerick Colbert Quarter, the Digital Hub in Dublin and Sandy Road in Galway.

The Role

The Senior Development Manager role will offer the right candidates an exciting opportunity to lead and drive the delivery of large-scale transformative residential development projects. The ideal candidate will be solutions orientated and results-focused with a breath of knowledge and experience across the development lifecycle and a demonstrable track record of successfully delivering projects. They will have the ability to think strategically, be commercially astute and have a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and building relationships with diverse ranges of stakeholders. The successful candidate will have direct people management responsibilities, leading a Development Team Pod of Development Managers and Assistant Development Managers.

Reporting to the Development Lead, the Senior Development Manager will be responsible for managing a number of development projects across all stages of the development life cycle from early concept, acquisition, planning, design, procurement through to delivery and handover. The role will have a particular focus on the development lifecycle from inception through to commencement of construction on-site.

Getting hands on experience on some of the largest residential developments in the country will provide the successful candidates with the opportunity to further progress their career in the professional development sector. The LDA are committed to encouraging and supporting career development and progression and offer wide ranging CPD.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the delivery of assigned development projects across the development lifecycle ensuring the delivery of agreed objectives.
• Oversee assigned development projects commercial viability and ensure schemes advanced are aligned with LDA development brief and objectives.
• Provide a clear leadership voice and direction to cross-functional internal and multidisciplinary external teams.
• Undertake initial site feasibility studies, identifying development opportunities and constraints.
• Develop and implement development strategies; lead optioneering analysis and the recommendation of optimum delivery approach.
• Manage the internal governance approval processes, including preparation of Investment Committee and Board papers and monthly reporting.
• Collaborate and build relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders across diverse functions, including managing and resolving competing interests.
• Prepare development briefs including project scope and deliverables, programme, budget and design team scopes of services.
• Manage the procurement and appointment of design teams, other professional service providers, main contractors and development partners.
• Oversee effective administration and management of all project documentation and governance including, risk management, monthly reports, programmes, development budgets and cashflows, contracts administration, project registers and trackers.
• Manage and mentor a core team of direct reports, lead by example.
• Contribute to wider business development and strategic initiatives.
• Maintain the LDA’s Core values at all times.

Person Specifications / Requirements

• At least 10 years’ experience in the various stages of the property development sector.
• Hold a recognised degree level qualification in construction / development sector.
• Experience of taking developments through initial feasibility, planning, design, tendering and pre-construction.
• Proactive management style, solutions oriented and results focused.
• Ability to lead and mentor a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to build strong working relationships and work collaboratively with various stakeholders.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with good attention to detail and ability to think strategically and use sound judgement.
• Technical knowledge – broad understanding of technical disciplines / promote sustainable climate resilient development / strong knowledge of planning system / understanding of construction buildability / informed challenging of technical solutions.
• Commercial acumen – strong understanding of viability and cost drivers / ability to drive optioneering and commercial analysis / to draw insights from cost plans & investment appraisals / oversee budgets & cashflows.
• Experience of public procurement is an advantage.
• Have a commitment to developing new skills and embracing new challenges.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 12th of November 2026

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promote and support a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we endeavour to provide reasonable accommodations where requested.