Viability Manager

A fantastic opportunity to join a well backed, leading sustainable housing developer as Viability Manager. The company is on a strong growth path over the next 3-years.

You will be responsible for leading the financial feasibility and cost planning process for new and upcoming residential development projects. Working closely with our design, commercial, and pre-construction teams, you will play a pivotal role in analysing project costs, allocating risk allowances, and shaping early-stage development decisions that ensure project viability and investor confidence.

This role demands a high level of numerical competency, attention to detail, and the ability to clearly communicate assumptions and recommendations to both internal stakeholders and external partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Cost Estimation & Analysis

• Review early-stage drawings, reports, and specifications to develop accurate cost plans.
• Identify and allocate abnormal development costs (e.g., site-specific ground conditions, utility diversions, contamination).
• Maintain and regularly update core housebuilding cost models aligned with market trends and internal benchmarks.

Viability Management

• Build and manage detailed project viability appraisals using Excel and estimating software.
• Input and update viability models in budgeting platforms.
• Undertake cashflow forecasting, projecting cost timings to assess the impact on funding and finance costs.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise with subcontractors and suppliers to validate high-cost packages and improve pricing accuracy.
• Collaborate with internal teams - Commercial, Pre-construction, Land, and Planning to capture the latest specifications, assumptions, and outputs.
• Communicate effectively across departments to compile complete and well-considered viability models.

Ongoing Oversight & Reporting

• Maintain the viability throughout the planning process up to site commencement.
• Produce bi-monthly business plan updates reflecting cost changes, design revisions, and procurement outcomes.
• Conduct quarterly cost base reviews, providing recommendations for strategic adjustments.

Experience & Skills Required

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in residential development or housebuilding.
• Strong understanding of site viability, cost planning, and development appraisal.
• Familiar with abnormal costs and mitigation strategies relevant to urban brownfield sites.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and at least one estimating/budgeting platform.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well backed and growing developer to progress your career.