Investment Director

About the role

Balfour Beatty Investments (BBI), the equity investment arm of the UK's largest contractor, is seeking an experienced Investment Director to join our New Business team.

Based in London, with some flexible working arrangements, you will lead the development of new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) schemes across England and Scotland, helping to grow our portfolio in this exciting sector.

In this role, you will take ownership of projects from initial site assessment (site sourcing managed by our Land team) through planning and pre-construction, handing over to the delivery team at start on site. We are looking for someone with strong project leadership experience and a proven track record of taking PBSA schemes through planning and pre-construction stages.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and coordinate project teams (internal and external) to deliver PBSA schemes from site acquisition through planning and pre-construction to contractor appointment.
• Appoint and manage consultants for planning applications, design development, cost planning, and specialist advice.
• Drive pre-construction activities, including feasibility studies, planning, and design up to RIBA Stage 3/4, concluding at financial close.
• Work closely with QS teams to review and validate construction budgets and cost plans.
• Negotiate and agree construction costs with contractors and manage commercial aspects of the project.
• Review design options and undertake cost-benefit analysis to support decision-making.
• Manage third-party legal agreements, including land agreements, development agreements, and planning obligations.
• Provide clear client-facing communication and upward reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to bids and commercial deliverables for public and private sector opportunities.
• Develop and mentor high-performing teams, promoting continuous improvement and talent development.
• Monitor costs against budget, approve invoices, and maintain financial control.
• Engage with planning authorities and regulatory bodies, staying informed on policy changes in target cities.
• Support development appraisals and feasibility studies for potential sites and research demand/supply dynamics in target locations.
• Actively network within the sector, attending industry events and building a reputation as a subject matter expert.

Who we're looking for

• Strong background in PBSA, property development, PRS, construction contracts, procurement, or real estate/project finance.
• Excellent project leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and non-technical audiences.
• Commercially astute with a strong interest in financial and commercial structuring; willingness to develop skills in financial appraisals.
• Proven ability to build client relationships and network within the property, infrastructure, lender, and investor markets.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable, able to work under pressure and manage changing priorities effectively.
• Collaborative and customer-focused, with strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Positive and flexible mindset, capable of balancing independent decision-making with team consultation.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK's most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn't rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You'll have the freedom to shape the package that's right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty Investments is an international infrastructure investor operating in the UK and US. We develop and finance both public and private infrastructure projects whilst operating a portfolio of long-term infrastructure assets, with a portfolio of PPP concessions in healthcare facilities, highways, energy and transmission, student accommodation, residential regeneration and private housing.

In the US, our portfolio includes Balfour Beatty Communities, a subsidiary dedicated to developing and operating privatised military housing, student and multifamily housing. We also operate Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions, a leading provider of large capital project financing, development and construction solutions for the higher education market.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit:

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at:

Job Reference: BBUK16529