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Senior Development Manager - Master Planned Communities - Sunshine Coast - Job Opportunity at Stockland

Sunshine Coast, Australia
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 19, 2025
On-site
AUD 180,000 - 220,000 per year plus performance bonuses and equity participation. This estimate reflects the senior nature of the role, responsibility for multi-billion dollar projects, team leadership requirements, and Stockland's position as a premium ASX-listed property developer. The role's scope across two major masterplanned communities and direct P&L responsibility would typically command compensation in the upper quartile of the market range.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package positioning candidates above market median for senior development management roles
Comprehensive health and wellbeing services including subsidised lifestyle programs that support work-life integration
Access to free financial services products providing additional value beyond base compensation
Diverse professional development opportunities across Stockland's extensive property portfolio enabling accelerated career progression
Inclusive collaborative work culture fostering innovation and respect across all organizational levels

Key Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional teams including Development Managers and Assistant Development Managers to deliver large-scale residential projects worth hundreds of millions in development value while ensuring strong ESG sustainability outcomes
Drive strategic oversight across complete development delivery lifecycle for two major masterplanned communities representing over 20,450 homes and significant infrastructure investment
Collaborate with executive-level internal stakeholders across Sales, Marketing, Finance, Capital and Investment Funds to provide critical performance insights that directly impact organizational financial goals
Secure complex planning and environmental approvals navigating regulatory frameworks that enable multi-billion dollar project progression
Monitor competitive market dynamics and strategically adjust product offerings to maintain market leadership position in premium residential development
Build and manage high-level relationships with government authorities, consultants, contractors, and community stakeholders critical to project success and community acceptance
Ensure comprehensive compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards while maintaining development momentum and profitability targets
Champion organizational values by fostering inclusive, high-performing culture that drives collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence across multiple project teams

Requirements

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Property, Urban Planning, Engineering)

Experience

Significant experience in Residential Land Development ideally working across multiple projects or a large project with previous experience leading a team

Required Skills

Proven experience in residential land development, ideally across multiple or large-scale projects Strong leadership and team management skills Expertise in planning and development approvals Commercial acumen and customer-focused mindset Experience in placemaking and visioning is highly desirable
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The Australian residential development sector is experiencing significant consolidation with major players like Stockland dominating large-scale masterplanned community development, creating increased demand for experienced senior managers who can navigate complex regulatory environments while delivering sustainable community outcomes. The integration of ESG principles into development planning has become a critical differentiator, requiring leaders who understand both environmental sustainability and community social infrastructure. Queensland's Sunshine Coast region represents one of Australia's fastest-growing residential markets, driven by interstate migration trends accelerated by remote work adoption and lifestyle preferences. This growth pattern is creating unprecedented demand for large-scale masterplanned communities that can accommodate population growth while preserving regional character and environmental values. The residential development industry is increasingly focused on integrated community development that combines housing with commercial, educational, and recreational infrastructure. This trend toward "complete communities" requires senior managers with sophisticated understanding of mixed-use development, stakeholder management, and long-term community planning beyond traditional residential subdivision models.

Role Significance

Direct management of 3-5 development professionals including Development Managers and Assistant Development Managers, with indirect influence over project teams potentially comprising 15-25 specialists including planners, engineers, sales professionals, and external consultants. The role requires matrix management skills to coordinate across multiple internal departments and external stakeholder groups.
This is a senior executive-level position within Stockland's development hierarchy, reporting likely to General Manager or State Manager level with direct influence on regional development strategy. The role carries significant P&L responsibility for projects potentially worth over AUD 2 billion in total development value, making it a critical position for organizational success and market positioning.

Key Projects

Large-scale masterplanned community development spanning 10-20 year delivery timeframes with staged release programs Complex planning approval processes involving state and local government coordination for mixed-use developments Infrastructure delivery coordination including roads, utilities, and community facilities requiring multi-million dollar capital investment Stakeholder engagement programs balancing community expectations, environmental requirements, and commercial objectives

Success Factors

Exceptional stakeholder management capabilities enabling navigation of complex regulatory approval processes while maintaining positive relationships with government authorities, community groups, and environmental organizations. Success requires diplomatic skills combined with technical expertise to achieve approval outcomes that satisfy multiple competing interests. Strategic commercial acumen that balances long-term community development objectives with quarterly financial performance requirements. The ability to optimize product mix, pricing strategies, and release timing to maximize profitability while maintaining market competitiveness is critical for role success. Leadership excellence in managing cross-functional teams and driving performance across multiple concurrent projects with varying timelines and complexity levels. Success requires inspirational leadership that motivates teams through challenging approval processes and market cycles while maintaining high performance standards. Deep technical expertise in residential development processes including planning law, environmental compliance, infrastructure delivery, and construction management. The complexity of masterplanned community development requires comprehensive understanding of all development phases from initial planning through final settlement.

Market Demand

High demand with limited qualified candidates. Senior development managers with proven experience in large-scale masterplanned communities are scarce in the Australian market, particularly those with demonstrated success in ESG integration and complex stakeholder management. The combination of technical expertise, leadership capability, and regulatory navigation skills required creates a competitive talent market favoring experienced professionals.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Planning and development approval expertise is absolutely essential given the complex regulatory environment for large-scale residential development in Queensland. Success requires deep understanding of state planning policies, environmental legislation, and local government approval processes that can significantly impact project timelines and profitability. This skill directly determines the ability to progress developments through critical approval phases. Leadership and team management capabilities are fundamental to role success given the direct management responsibilities and requirement to coordinate across multiple internal departments. The ability to inspire and direct professional teams through complex, long-term projects while maintaining performance standards and fostering innovation is critical for achieving development objectives and organizational goals. Commercial acumen combining financial analysis, market assessment, and strategic planning is essential for optimizing development outcomes and maintaining competitiveness. This skill enables effective decision-making around product mix, pricing strategies, and resource allocation that directly impacts project profitability and market success.

Beneficial Skills

Placemaking and visioning experience provides significant value in creating competitive differentiation for masterplanned communities through innovative design, community infrastructure, and lifestyle amenities that command premium pricing and accelerate sales velocity Sustainability and ESG expertise enhances career prospects and organizational value as environmental considerations become increasingly important in development approvals, community acceptance, and corporate reporting requirements for ASX-listed property companies Technology integration skills in areas such as digital sales platforms, construction technology, and data analytics provide competitive advantages in project delivery efficiency, customer experience enhancement, and performance optimization across the development lifecycle

Unique Aspects

Responsibility for two distinctly different masterplanned communities requiring adaptive management approaches - from boutique coastal development to large-scale integrated city development with over 20,000 homes planned
Direct involvement in creating Australia's newest masterplanned city through the Aura project, representing a rare opportunity to shape long-term urban development and community infrastructure planning
Integration of ESG principles into large-scale residential development, positioning the role at the forefront of sustainable community development practices in Australia
Exposure to Stockland's diversified property portfolio providing insights into retail, commercial, and residential development integration that enhances professional expertise beyond pure residential focus

Career Growth

Progression to General Manager level typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing senior development managers, particularly those who demonstrate consistent delivery of complex projects and strong financial outcomes. Executive-level roles may be achievable within 5-8 years with continued professional development and market expertise expansion.

Potential Next Roles

General Manager Development for Stockland's state-based operations overseeing multiple senior development managers and regional development strategy State Manager or Regional Director roles with ASX-listed property developers carrying executive responsibility for all development activities within defined geographic regions Development Director positions with international property developers seeking Australian market expertise and large-scale project experience Executive consulting roles advising institutional investors, superannuation funds, and government agencies on large-scale residential development strategy and delivery

Company Overview

Stockland

Stockland is Australia's largest diversified property group and one of the largest residential land developers in the country, with a market capitalization exceeding AUD 10 billion. The company has a 70-year history of property development and currently manages a portfolio of retail town centres, workplace and logistics assets, and residential communities across Australia. Stockland is recognized as a leader in sustainable property development and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for multiple consecutive years.

Stockland maintains a dominant market position in Australian masterplanned community development, competing primarily with Mirvac, Lendlease, and Frasers Property. The company's scale advantages, established government relationships, and access to capital markets provide significant competitive advantages in securing premium development sites and navigating complex approval processes. Stockland's brand recognition and track record enable premium pricing for residential products.
The Sunshine Coast represents a strategic growth market for Stockland with significant land holdings and development pipeline. The company's presence in this region positions it to capitalize on interstate migration trends and lifestyle preference shifts driving population growth. Stockland's established relationships with Queensland government authorities and local councils provide competitive advantages for future development approvals and strategic site acquisition.
Stockland promotes a collaborative, performance-oriented culture with strong emphasis on sustainability, diversity, and community impact. The organization's size and ASX listing provide structured career development opportunities, comprehensive learning programs, and exposure to diverse property development sectors. The company's commitment to ESG principles creates a values-driven work environment that attracts professionals seeking meaningful community development impact.
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