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Development Finance Manager
We are seeking a development finance manager to support the accounting of the business and the financial analysis on projects.
Development Finance Manager with responsibility across corporate finance and accounting, project finance and development appraisals.
Opportunity to join an established but small and growing company, reporting directly into Co-founder/COO and Project Directors.
Full time, hybrid working, based in London at least 3 days in London or on site; however we would be open to discussing alternative working arrangements.
Salary range £60,000 to 80,000 FTE pa, subject to negotiation and level of experience.
Other Benefits:
Private BUPA health insurance
3% employer pension contribution
Professional membership fees covered (where relevant, e.g. RICS, RTPI, RIBA, ACA)
Discretionary bonus scheme
“Friday My Day” – time and flexibility on Fridays for self-directed work or personal priorities
Enhanced parental leave policy
Application process: Please complete our online application form to apply for the role.
The role is available immediately, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as you are ready. Subject to the level of interest, we expect the application window to close in March 2026.
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About Stories
Stories is a purpose-led property development company, and a certified B Corp. We partner with long-term landowners and investors as principal developer, development manager and strategic advisor on projects that have a greater purpose than just financial returns.
We are at an exciting point in our growth. We have recently secured a number of new projects ranging from a central London living-led scheme, to town centre regeneration in Southampton. We will soon be on-site at our 50% affordable, build to rent housing at Mill Hill Broadway, and the first phase of a once-in-a-generation redevelopment of Mansfield College in Oxford.
We are continuing to grow our development team to ensure we effectively deliver our existing projects and are set up to deliver future projects.
Coming from different property backgrounds, we set up Stories so we could use our development skills to create positive outcomes for people. We’re currently a team of 14 and we have a rotating Advisory Board comprising some of our industry’s most experienced individuals.
What matters most to us is finding somebody that really cares about people, knows that property development can be a positive force for change and can bring a fresh perspective to what we are trying to achieve.
Equality, Diversity and inclusion
In support of the ongoing success of Stories’ staff, the teams we work with, the industry we work within and the wider communities that we both develop and work with, Stories is committed and accountable for advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms.
Our ED&I policy can be read here.
Job Description
The Development Finance Manager is responsible for both corporate finance and accounting and project finance and development appraisals. The role includes company-wide financial management, reporting, controls and funding oversight, alongside scheme-level financial appraisals, viability analysis and project funding strategies for development projects.
We are seeking appropriately qualified candidates with relevant industry experience. Reporting to the COO/Co-founder and working closely with Development Managers and Development Directors, the role offers exposure across corporate operations and the full development lifecycle. There is significant scope for growth, including the potential to take full responsibility for the organisation’s finance function and broader operational responsibilities over time.
We are looking for candidates qualified to ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent standard, though candidates with demonstrably equivalent experience may also be considered. (Current professional membership is not required).
In addition, candidates should bring a minimum of 2–3 years’ relevant industry experience, preferably in real estate or real estate finance.
Candidates should demonstrate a genuine interest in both the financial aspects of development and the projects themselves, including the positive outcomes for society they seek to deliver. We are looking for someone who has a good understanding of the development process, specifically:
A strong understanding of the fundamentals of property investment and development.
Excellent project management skills, internally and externally.
Competent financial modelling skills in excel
Comfortable using accounting software, such as Xero
Excellent communication and presentational skills.
A commercial approach, with a good handle on costs and values.
The general day-to-day and strategic skills needed to excel in a small team.
You will also need to bring an open mind to help us do projects differently, support the wider team and help us build this business. Perhaps through curiosity, sometimes through necessity, you will find yourself expanding your experience substantially.
Some attributes that we think are important:
An engaging person – kind, thoughtful, hard-working, strong integrity and interested in the world and other people.
Problem solving aptitude – the ability to creatively problem solve in new situations, big or small.
Strategic thinking – absorbing large amounts of information, working out what matters, and formulating (or helping to formulate) a plan to move things forward.
A self-starter – somebody who takes the initiative, sets and communicates a plan or takes an idea and runs with it. These individuals tend to thrive in less structured environments.
Good at communicating – experience of successfully conveying information to a diverse audience, both in writing and in person.
A good collaborator – as well as working individually, possessing a good team work ethic is important internally and externally.
Curiosity – whether about the world, their job, or someone else’s; we find curious people make excellent members of the team at Stories.
Responsibilities
The Development Finance Manager will be responsible for corporate finance, accounting, project finance and development appraisals. Initially, the majority of your time will be spent supporting projects, but this could change as your role grows.
1. Development appraisals & feasibility studies
Our development managers take ‘ownership’ of the project’s financial model, however, you will support with creating and maintaining bespoke excel development appraisals. Your responsibilities will include:
Building and maintaining bespoke excel development appraisals.
Preparation of briefs for the production of excel models, defining the structure, outputs and inputs of the model
Regularly updating template appraisals used for projects.
Maintaining consistency, learning and rigour across projects.
Develop our ‘house-view’ on assumptions, and conduct research to interrogate assumptions for projects:
Build costs
Professional fees
Finance costs
Sales / rental income
Programme and phasing
Inflation
Run sensitivity analysis and scenario testing.
Support investment decisions, land offers and funding discussions, including producing tables and diagrams that convey key financial information in a concise and clear format.
Providing quality control and testing models for errors.
2. Corporate finance & management accounting
Prepare and maintain monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and cashflow forecasts.
Manage supplier payments, expenses, bank reconciliations and balance sheet controls.
Oversee month-end processes and ensure timely, accurate reporting.
Act as primary liaison with external accountants, payroll providers and auditors.
Support year-end accounts, tax filings and statutory reporting (with advisers).
3. Project financial management
Working closely with our development managers and external project managers, you will:
Set up and manage project budgets and cost trackers
Monitor budget vs actuals and forecast final outcomes
Flag emerging risks, cost pressures or cash issues early
Support drawdown processes and lender reporting where relevant
4. Commercial insight & decision support
Provide financial input into project and corporate strategy
Translate financial data into clear commercial insight for non-financial colleagues
Support the senior team in understanding financial implications of key decisions
5. Controls, systems & process improvement
Maintain appropriate financial controls and governance
Ensure consistent use of financial systems and templates
Improve processes to support accuracy, efficiency and scalability
Maintain clear documentation of financial procedures
Optional / additional responsibilities (role may expand to include)
Initially, the role is focused on corporate finance and accounting, and project finance responsibilities. However, there is the opportunity to quickly expand your role depending on experience, capacity and business needs.
A. Company secretarial support
Support company secretarial matters, including:
Maintaining statutory registers
Companies House filings
Board and shareholder documentation
Coordinate with external legal or company secretarial advisers
Support governance processes for group companies or SPVs
B. Legal contracts & commercial agreements
Provide commercial and financial input into:
Development agreements
Consultant appointments
Funding and JV documentation
Support or lead contract negotiations alongside senior management and legal advisers
Track key commercial terms, payment milestones and obligations
C. Wider operational responsibilities
Support operational planning across the business, including:
Resource planning
Fee tracking and recovery
Cost allocation across projects
Contribute to improving internal ways of working
Support senior leadership with operational and commercial analysis as required
Application Process
Please complete our online application form to apply for the role.
The role is available immediately, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as you are ready. Subject to the level of interest, we expect the application window to close in March 2026.
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