Associate director and development manager, Jo Al-Hillawi’s Five Minutes with Property Week

“Don’t underestimate your network – it will open more doors and opportunities than you know.” 

Associate director and development manager at CO—RE, Jo Al-Hillawi sat down with Property Week’s Tim Clark to share how he started in the property industry, the challenges of the industry that need to be addressed and what advice he would give to those starting out in their career. 

What does your job entail?

I am a development manager and, given my previous life as an investment agent, I also focus on sourcing business generation opportunities. From a development manager perspective, this involves everything from the feasibility stage, securing planning, managing appraisals and budgets and leasing the asset. It is very varied, which makes every day different.

What do you value in people professionally?

Hard work, loyalty, perseverance and the ability to laugh about things. I have learned that things don’t always go right, particularly in development, so you need people around you who are loyal to the project and can solve problems rather than point fingers.

In any environment, if you don’t get everyone putting in the same amount of effort, then you lose that team spirit and it becomes impossible to build a strong, cohesive culture.

What advice would you give someone starting a career in the property industry?

Don’t underestimate your network – it will open more doors/opportunities than you know. Never be complacent or arrogant enough to think you know everything. Continue to learn from people, whether they be junior or senior to you, as everyone has something to add.

Read Jo’s full interview, via Property Week, here.