Development Manager - Adventure Tourism Projects, Queenstown

Assemble Recruitment is proud to be exclusively partnering with one of New Zealand's most iconic tourism brands and leaders in the development of world-class adventure tourism projects across international markets.

Skyline Enterprises, home to the iconic Queenstown Gondola and Luge, is expanding its global footprint and is seeking a sharp, commercially driven Development Manager to join the team to help bring its next phase of growth from concept to reality.

Based in the heart of Queenstown, this role manages the full development lifecycle: from early-stage feasibility and site identification, through deal structuring, planning approvals, and consultant management, all the way through to project delivery. You will work across multiple international jurisdictions, with travel and workday flexibility required.

Skyline's purpose is to share real fun with the world. Gravity is their superpower, and this role is central to how they grow it.

• Site identification & due diligence: assess global sites, conduct market research, and coordinate feasibility studies including financial modelling and ROI analysis.
• Feasibility & business cases: prepare development appraisals, run NPV/IRR modelling, and present investment cases to senior leadership and committees.
• Deal structuring & negotiations: assist with lease, support commercial negotiations and work with legal teams on risk mitigation.
• Consultant & stakeholder management: procure and manage multidisciplinary consultant teams; act as primary contact for councils, regulators, iwi, and community groups internationally.
• Planning approvals & design: oversee resource and planning consent submissions, coordinate technical assessments, and ensure design aligns with brand and guest experience goals.
• Project delivery support: assist with tendering, contractor selection, cost control, and ensuring delivery meets financial and operational benchmarks.

  

• 5 years plus of experience in property development, infrastructure, or leisure/tourism projects.
• Strong understanding of the property development lifecycle from feasibility through to delivery.
• Commercial acumen with hands-on ability to run feasibility models (NPV/IRR/ROI).
• Confident in deal structuring, negotiation, and managing multi-stakeholder environments.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines concurrently across NZ, Asia and UK jurisdictions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including to executive and investment audiences.
• Tertiary qualification in property, commerce, engineering, architecture, or a related field.
• Ideally you will have gained experience in project finance, legal contracts and commercial structuring.
• Experience in commercial, tourism, leisure, or hospitality-related property sectors is a must.
• Flexibility and life integration is a given in this role with travel, and early morning and evening meetings required to work with international jurisdictions.

  

This role welcomes applications from candidates anywhere in New Zealand or overseas who are ready to make the move to one of the world's most sought-after places to live and work. Queenstown offers an unparalleled lifestyle, mountains, lakes, and a vibrant international community on your doorstep.

Skyline is more than a gondola. With operations across New Zealand, Asia and Canada and developments underway in the United Kingdom, they are a bold, growth-oriented business with serious development ambitions and a culture built on being brave, caring, and delivering real fun. This is a company that genuinely invests in its people and its projects.

If you are interested to learn more about this opportunity please submit your CV in Word Format and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role  via the link above, or alternatively for a confidential conversation contact Amy Walker on 027 274 2655 or amy@assemblerecruit.com