Development & Construction Manager - Italy

Company Overview

Yellow Tree is a Real Estate Investment Fund based in Gibraltar and is dedicated to the ownership, development and management of commercial and residential real estate assets. The Yellow Tree Real Estate Investment Fund is backed by a Gibraltar-based multi-family office. Yellow Tree invests across capital and gateway cities, employing a tailored investment strategy to each geographic region. Our portfolio underscores long‑term value and mirrors our dedication to excellence.

Our philosophy centers on income generation, ensuring that 100% of our portfolio consistently delivers returns. We achieve this by taking an asset‑by‑asset approach, where each asset carries its own weight in contributing income without dilution. Each asset has its own business plan that is meticulously followed by making sure that each asset performs as expected.

We own and manage sustainable and high-quality properties, aligning with the objectives of leading national and international corporations. This ensures that Yellow Tree Group is synonymous with quality, reliability, and enduring success.

For more information, visit us on yellowtree.com.

Role Summary

Location : Rome, with frequent travel to Milan and other project locations as required.

We are seeking an experienced Development & Construction Manager to act as the owner's representative for a real estate developments in Italy, with an immediate focus on two hotel projects in Rome and Milan.

The successful candidate will oversee the planning, development, design, construction and handover of projects on behalf of the owner, ensuring delivery in accordance with approved budgets, programmes, quality standards and investment objectives.

This is a client-side role. The Development & Construction Manager will not be responsible for performing construction activities directly, but will coordinate, supervise and challenge the performance of external stakeholders, including hotel operators, project managers, designers, consultants, contractors and public authorities.

The role requires strong commercial, technical and stakeholder management capabilities, together with the ability to identify and mitigate risks, solve problems proactively and provide clear reporting to senior management.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Ownership Representation

• Act as the primary owner's representative for development and construction activities across Italian projects.
• Protect the owner's commercial, technical and strategic interests throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with approved business plans, investment objectives and corporate standards.
• Provide regular project updates and recommendations to senior management and investment stakeholders.

Development Management

• Coordinate and monitor the development process from permitting and design stages through construction, commissioning and final handover.
• Oversee planning applications, building permits and regulatory approvals, working closely with local consultants and authorities.
• Review development programmes and ensure key milestones are achieved.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies to minimise schedule and cost overruns.

Construction Oversight

• Monitor the performance of contractors, project managers, consultants and other service providers.
• Review construction progress against approved schedules and budgets.
• Challenge and verify project reporting, forecasts and completion programmes.
• Monitor quality standards and ensure compliance with approved designs, specifications and contractual requirements.
• Attend key site meetings, inspections, testing activities and project milestone events.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Monitor project budgets, cash flow forecasts and cost reporting.
• Review and challenge variation orders, contractor claims and budget adjustments.
• Assist with forecasting project outcomes and identifying potential commercial risks.

Hotel Operator & Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as the key point of coordination between ownership, hotel operators, consultants, contractors and public authorities.
• Ensure project delivery remains aligned with operator requirements and brand standards.
• Facilitate communication between all project stakeholders and drive timely decision‑making.
• Resolve issues arising between stakeholders and escalation material matters when required.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Maintain project risk registers and monitor mitigation actions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, permits, health and safety requirements and contractual obligations.
• Monitor consultant and contractor performance against scope and contractual commitments.
• Ensure proper project governance, approvals and reporting processes are maintained.

Project Close‑Out & Asset Handover

• Coordinate snagging, testing, commissioning and practical completion activities.
• Support the transition from construction to hotel operations.
• Ensure all project documentation, warranties, permits, certifications and technical records are properly maintained and handed over.
• Lead post‑investment reviews and capture lessons learned to improve future project delivery.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Real Estate, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5-8 years' experience in development and construction management within real estate, hospitality or mixed‑use developments.
• Proven experience representing owners, investors, developers or asset managers on major construction and development projects.
• Strong understanding of development processes, permitting, design management, procurement and construction delivery.
• Experience managing projects through the full lifecycle, from planning and permitting through handover and operational opening.
• Excellent commercial and financial awareness, including budgeting, forecasting and contract administration.
• Experience working with hotel operators and branded hospitality projects is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of Italian planning, permitting and construction regulations.
• Fluency in Italian and English, both written and spoken.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially minded with excellent judgement and decision‑making ability.
• Proactive, organised and highly accountable.
• Strong negotiation and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Ability to challenge external consultants and contractors constructively while maintaining effective relationships.
• Comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail‑oriented with a strong focus on quality and delivery.
• Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

Success Measures

The Development & Construction Manager will be evaluated on:

• Delivery of projects within approved budget and programme targets.
• Effective management of project risks and issues.
• Quality of project reporting and stakeholder communication.
• Compliance with operator requirements, technical standards and regulatory obligations.
• Successful handover of projects into operation.
• Protection and enhancement of long‑term asset value for the owner.

We offer competitive salary packages, great learning and development opportunities.

• Opportunity to be part of a dynamic growing team in a fast‑growing Real Estate group
• Performance Bonus
• Team hangouts
• Celebration and parties
• Loyalty gifts
• Gift Cards Women’s Day & Men’s Day
• Extra free days: on your birthday the company gifts you a day off
• Birthday cake
• Holiday Baskets

Yellow Tree is a GDPR compliant company, by applying to this job post, you consent with your data being processed in accordance with our PrivacyPolicy which you can find on

Yellow Tree is an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color,national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.