James & Partners
Associate Director – Development Consultancy

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Associate Director / Senior Associate Director – Development
Location: Central London
Working pattern: Full-time | Hybrid / flexible working
Level: Associate Director / Senior Associate Director, with Director-level candidates also considered
The Opportunity
My client, a highly regarded national property consultancy backed by a major international real estate group, is looking to appoint an experienced development professional to its established London team.
This is a senior, client-facing position combining development expertise, client leadership and business development.
The successful individual will play an important role in growing the London Development business – leading client relationships, generating new instructions and providing strategic advice across development opportunities.
The team works with a broad range of developers, landowners, investors, housebuilders, institutions and private clients, supported by specialists across Planning, Agency, Valuation, Research and the wider property business.
There is genuine flexibility around seniority. My client will consider individuals at Associate Director, Senior Associate Director or potentially Director level, with the appointment shaped around experience, market profile, client relationships and work-winning capability.
The Role
This is an opportunity to take a visible position within the London Development team, with responsibility for both developing existing relationships and creating new opportunities.
Responsibilities will include:
- Leading and developing relationships with developers, landowners, investors, housebuilders and other key clients.
- Identifying, originating and converting new business opportunities.
- Leading pitches, proposals and client presentations.
- Acting as a trusted adviser to clients on development opportunities and strategy.
- Providing commercially focused advice around development land and opportunities.
- Assessing development potential, feasibility, viability and relevant market considerations.
- Advising on land acquisition, disposal and development strategy.
- Managing instructions from initial opportunity and fee proposal through to delivery.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across Planning, Agency, Valuation, Research and other specialist teams.
- Identifying opportunities to introduce clients to services across the wider business.
- Building repeat business and expanding the team's client base.
- Representing the business at client meetings, industry events and within the wider property market.
- Supporting and mentoring junior colleagues.
- Contributing to the continued growth and profile of the London Development team.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
My client is interested in established property professionals who combine development knowledge with strong commercial instincts and the ability to build and win client relationships.
You are likely to have experience within development consultancy, development advisory, development surveying or a closely related property discipline.
The successful candidate is likely to demonstrate:
- Strong experience within the development property market.
- A good understanding of the development lifecycle, land and the commercial considerations affecting development opportunities.
- Experience advising on residential and/or mixed-use development.
- Knowledge of development viability, feasibility and appraisal principles.
- Strong knowledge of the London and/or South East development market.
- A demonstrable track record of building client relationships and generating new instructions.
- Experience pitching for and winning work.
- Strong commercial judgement and an entrepreneurial approach.
- The confidence and credibility to advise senior clients.
- Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively across different property disciplines.
A relevant professional qualification such as MRICS would be advantageous, although market experience, client relationships and a proven track record will be equally important.
Seniority
There is genuine flexibility around the appointment.
At Associate Director level, this could suit an established project and client lead who is increasingly generating their own opportunities and building an external network.
At Senior Associate Director level, candidates are likely to have an established record of winning work, managing important client relationships and contributing to revenue generation and team development.
My client would also consider an exceptional Director-level individual with an established market profile, strong client relationships and the ability to contribute strategically to the continued growth of the practice.
Ultimately, capability, commerciality and fit are more important than job title.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Why Join?
The position offers the opportunity to join an established property consultancy with a strong UK platform and the backing of a major international real estate group.
The successful individual will benefit from a multidisciplinary environment, working alongside colleagues across Development, Planning, Residential, Agency, Valuation and Research.
There is considerable scope to build your own client relationships, originate work and develop your market profile, while having the wider resources and expertise of an established property business behind you.
For an ambitious development professional, this is an opportunity to take a prominent role within the London team and contribute directly to its next stage of growth.
Package & Benefits
My client offers a competitive salary and overall package dependent on experience and level of appointment, alongside a comprehensive benefits offering including:
- Company car allowance
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Hybrid / flexible working
- 27 days' annual leave plus public holidays, with the option to purchase additional holiday
- Private medical cover
- Pension with employer contributions
- Life assurance
- Group income protection
- Health screening and wellbeing support
- Digital/private GP services
- Dental cover options
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discounted gym membership
- Travel insurance options
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Interest-free season ticket loans
- Employee Share Incentive Plan
- Retail and lifestyle discounts
- Financial wellbeing and mortgage advice
- Concierge and eye care support
- Professional learning and career development opportunities
Benefits are subject to eligibility and applicable scheme rules.
For a confidential conversation about the opportunity, please apply or get in touch directly.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location