Property Development Manager

We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.

We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

Role: Property Development Manager

Location: Cardiff, with regional travel

Closing Date: 26th October 2026

Shape places. Unlock potential. Build your property career with ABP.

Associated British Ports is one of the UK’s largest port-related property operators, managing a substantial portfolio and strategic land holdings across the country. We are now looking for an ambitious Property Development Manager to join our ABP Property team in Cardiff.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across a varied regional portfolio and gain exposure to the full development lifecycle. From identifying opportunities and undertaking appraisals to progressing projects through planning, design and delivery, you will help transform strategically important land and property into commercially successful developments.

Working alongside experienced property professionals, project managers and external consultants, you will play an important role in building ABP’s development pipeline, supporting portfolio growth and driving long-term rental value.

Our Wales & Short Sea Ports region covers three separate areas in East Anglia, North West & Scotland and South Wales & South West, within these regions we own a significant amount of undeveloped land. This land is ideal for new build industrial & logistics accommodation, industrial open storage and quasi retail/trade uses at certain roadside locations. ABP through significant CAPEX deployment is seeking to bring forward these sites for redevelopment to drive rental revenue and to increase its existing multi-million pound property portfolio.

The role

As Property Development Manager, you will help identify, assess and deliver property development and land acquisition opportunities across the regional portfolio.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and assessing potential development and acquisition opportunities.
• Undertaking site research, due diligence and technical investigations.
• Preparing development appraisals, viability assessments, feasibility studies and business cases.
• Analysing development risks and helping to identify appropriate mitigation.
• Coordinating consultant teams and monitoring progress against agreed programmes and deliverables.
• Working with project managers to progress schemes through planning, design and pre-construction.
• Preparing reports, presentations and recommendations for internal approvals.
• Supporting the marketing and disposal of completed development schemes and property assets where required.
• Building productive relationships with local authorities, landowners, agents, consultants and internal stakeholders.
• Maintaining accurate project records, opportunity trackers and development pipeline reporting.

What we are looking for

You may already be working in property development, planning, surveying, real estate, construction or another closely related field. You will bring a sound understanding of property development principles and the UK planning system, together with the ability to analyse information, produce clear reports and support the delivery of complex projects.

You will also demonstrate:

• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
• Good financial and commercial awareness.
• The ability to interpret technical information and property-related data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong organisation and project coordination skills.
• The ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Confidence in developing effective stakeholder relationships.
• Good Excel, PowerPoint and reporting capabilities.
• An understanding of sustainability and environmental considerations within property development.
• A full UK driving licence.

Experience of development appraisals, financial analysis or commercial, industrial and logistics property would be particularly valuable. Knowledge of viability-modelling software such as Argus Developer, or experience working with consultants, landowners and local authorities, would also be advantageous.

Qualifications and experience

Ideally, you will have a degree in Real Estate, Property Development, Planning, Surveying or a related discipline, together with MRICS or MRTPI status. We are particularly interested in ambitious property professionals with approximately one to five years’ post-qualification experience, although relevant practical experience and the ability to succeed in the role will be important considerations.

The person

You will be proactive, commercially aware and keen to continue learning. Collaborative and adaptable, you will combine attention to detail with the confidence to engage a wide range of stakeholders. Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help unlock the potential of ABP’s property portfolio and contribute to developments with a lasting commercial impact.

Why join ABP?

This role offers the opportunity to develop your career within a major and diverse property portfolio. You will gain hands-on experience across development, acquisitions, planning, project coordination, appraisals and portfolio growth, supported by experienced development professionals.

It is an excellent next step for someone who wants to broaden their commercial property experience, take on meaningful responsibility and see projects progress from an initial opportunity through to delivery.

Want to see what it’s like to work for the UK’s largest port operator? Our virtual work experience programme gives you an inside look at trade, sustainability, safety, and careers in one of the UK’s most vital indutries- https://www.talentxp.co.uk/track/e2e029cd

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels