Development Manager

Make a difference where it matters most

At Housing Choices Australia, we believe everyone deserves a safe and affordable home. We are a leading not-for-profit housing provider committed to building inclusive and thriving communities. Our Five-Year Strategic Plan (2024–29) prioritises people and aims to deliver social impact, sustainable growth, and empowered teams.

Join us in building a better future, one home at a time.

Why you will love working with us

Join a passionate, purpose-driven team where your work creates lasting impact, and your wellbeing, growth, and individuality are genuinely valued.

• Purposeful impact – make a meaningful difference in people’s lives by supporting inclusive, safe, and affordable housing.
• Growth and development – enhance your skills and advance your career through tailored learning opportunities.
• Balance that works – enjoy 5 weeks annual leave and flexible working arrangements suited to your lifestyle.
• Valuable benefits – increase your income through salary packaging and 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Supportive culture – be recognised and celebrated in an inclusive, values-driven workplace.

Development Manager

Location: Melbourne

Employment type: Permanent Full time

About the role

As Development Manager, you’ll lead the delivery of housing development projects from inception to handover. You’ll oversee design, procurement, risk, compliance and stakeholder engagement, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective outcomes aligned with Housing Choices’ growth strategy.

You’ll also contribute to the strategic pipeline by identifying new development opportunities and supporting junior team members in a collaborative, high-performing environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• End-to-end delivery of housing projects including design, construction and compliance
• Management of development budgets, timelines, feasibility and risk
• Engagement with councils, developers, builders, consultants and authorities
• Project reporting and governance, including board-level contributions
• Leadership and mentoring of Assistant Development Managers and project staff
• Identification and scoping of new development opportunities
• Ensuring all works comply with BCA, SDA, WHS, ISO and relevant legislation

About the team

The Homes division is committed to expanding and enhancing Housing Choices Australia's portfolio of safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable housing. It oversees the planning, development, and asset management of properties, focusing on high-quality construction, energy efficiency, and long-term maintenance strategies. The division ensures homes meet evolving resident expectations and contribute positively to community resilience and sustainability.

About you

You will have:

• A degree in Property, Architecture, Construction, Engineering or similar
• Demonstrated success delivering property projects from concept to completion
• Strong commercial acumen and project governance knowledge
• Experience engaging consultants, developers, builders and local authorities
• Solid understanding of regulatory compliance including BCA, SDA, OH&S and Australian Standards
• Ability to lead, mentor and collaborate across functions and levels
• Proven capability in reporting, strategic planning and business case development

You must agree to undergo any required employment screening, including but not limited to a National Criminal History or Police Check, Working with Children or Vulnerable Persons Check, and NDIS Worker Screening Check.

Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We value unique experiences and perspectives.

Our values in action
Everything we do is guided by our shared values:

• People First - We build trust through empathy, kindness, integrity and active listening… we create meaningful relationships and deliver results that truly matter.
• Responsible - We follow through on our commitments and take ownership of our actions… with transparency, honesty and accountability.
• Purposeful - We aim high and take deliberate action… challenge the status quo, embrace change, and continuously improve to make a lasting impact.
• Collaborative - We work together with flexibility and shared purpose… through teamwork, innovation, strong strategic partnerships and listening to those we serve.
• Inclusive - We embed inclusion in everything we do… recognising and removing barriers and acting on diverse voices so everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We are committed to a strategy that supports tenant wellbeing, organisational growth, environmental responsibility, and workforce empowerment.

Belong at Housing Choices
We are an inclusive and values-led employer, proudly welcoming people of all identities and backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with lived experience of housing insecurity.

We support inclusive hiring practices. Please let us know your pronouns or if you require any adjustments during the application process, as we are here to assist you.

How to apply
Apply now!  Applications close: 18 September 2026, unless a suitable candidate is identified earlier.

For further information, please contact People & Culture peopleandculture@hcau.org.au

A position description is available here.

If you do not meet every requirement, please still apply, as we value potential and diverse experiences as much as a perfect CV.

Disclaimer: To the best of Housing Choices Australia’s knowledge, this information is valid at the time of publication.

Agencies, thank you for thinking of us, but our recruitment is managed internally, and we will reach out to our preferred suppliers if we need assistance