Development Manager - Design and Development

At Fora, we’re fuelled by a desire to enhance the way people work. We’re here for the progressives, the forward thinkers, the status quo-challengers, the creators and the innovators. With signature hospitality, a like minded community of members and a re-energising wellness experience, Fora takes the grind out of daily work-life, so members can focus on what’s important – working productively, healthily and happily.  

Our journey began over 20 years ago, when we opened our first location on London’s City Road. Since then, our collection has grown to over 60 distinctive workspaces across London, the UK and Germany, totalling 3.2 million sq ft of real estate.  Over the last two decades we have welcomed approximately 300,000 members through our doors, with over 30,000 members today, and boast market-leading retention rates.

As a trusted workspace provider for teams of all sizes, from established brands to new ventures, our uniquely designed, flexible office spaces come with a range of exceptional on-site amenities and a dedicated Member Experience team to take care of all the day-to-day details. Ocado, The British Fashion Council and Pangaia are just some of the businesses who call a Fora workspace home.  

Fora is London’s leading provider of flexible office spaces .   All of our design-led spaces are open and supported by our dedicated front-of- house teams, five days per week. Fora is part of The Office Group, backed by Blackstone and Brockton Capital. We have ambitious plans to expand our collection of workspaces in the future, pioneering industry change through our conscious design and construction practices, and creating workspaces that empower our members to work in their own unique way. 

The role :

The Development Manager will play a pivotal role in the delivery of new assets and the enhancement of the existing portfolio. This individual will be responsible for managing projects across all RIBA stages, ensuring they are delivered to programme, budget, and quality standards while complying with all statutory and regulatory requirements.

 Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Alongside the Senior Development Manager and Head of Development, the Development Manager will be instrumental in the delivery of new flexible office space projects, across all RIBA Stages, from feasibility and business case approval through to practical completion and handover.
• Define and drive the Procurement strategy specific to each project.
• Manage consultants, contractors, and third-party stakeholders to achieve cost, programme, and quality objectives.   
• Ensure alignment with company design, operational, and commercial standards.

Portfolio Improvements

• Deliver refurbishment and reconfiguration projects within the existing portfolio, including changes of spatial use, cellularisation, and repositioning works.
• Coordinate delivery in live environments, minimising disruption to customers and operations.

Governance & Reporting

• Provide accurate and timely reporting on project budgets, programme, risks, and progress to senior stakeholders.
• Maintain full compliance with internal approval processes and governance frameworks.

Technical Oversight

• Oversee design development and review consultant/contractor proposals to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including fire safety, MEP systems, health & safety, and building regulations.
• Ensure robust quality assurance procedures are implemented throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage handover and close-out processes.

 Commercial Oversight

• Provide estimates and budgets for projects, relying on both experience and benchmarking.
• Responsible for the tender process, analysis and recommendation.
• Project cost Control

• Proven track record of delivering commercial office space projects as Client side Project/Development Manager, consultant, or contractor.

• Strong understanding of the project lifecycle across all RIBA stages.
• Strong knowledge of MEP systems, fire safety, building regulations, and statutory compliance requirements.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and third-party contractors.
• Degree in Project Management, Construction, Engineering, Real Estate, or related discipline is advantageous
• Professional membership preferred (e.g., MRICS, MCIOB, CEng or equivalent)
• Minimum 5 years relevant industry experience

At The Office Group, we know that  work isn’t just about working. We offer all of our employers a fantastic range of benefits, including;

• Hybrid working - 4 days in the office and 1 WFA
• Flexible working hours
• 28 days annual leave
• Birthday off
• 2 weeks work from anywhere
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Healthshield
• Study support
•  5% Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Discounted Gym membership
• Season Ticket Loan
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 25% Discount at Fora Cafes
• Discounted event spaces