Mikaela Charlton

Ask me about
- How I decided what to do after graduating high school
- How my interest in fashion and marketing led to property development
- What I love most about working in property development
About me
After high school, I enrolled in university with an interest in fashion and marketing, though I wasn’t certain about my career direction. Initially considering a gap year, I chose to start university to broaden my horizons and meet new people. During my studies, I spent a lot of time traveling. It was in my final semester that I unexpectedly discovered a passion for property development. Our final project involved creating a marketing campaign for a new residential development. Collaborating with the development manager provided me with firsthand insight into the role, and I was fascinated by the mix of creativity, strategy, and problem-solving involved.
That experience sparked a clear direction for me, and I realised property development was what I wanted to pursue. After graduating, I immediately enrolled in a Bachelor of Property Economics to gain the technical knowledge needed for this career. Now I’m passionate about helping others find their own paths, just as I did. Particularly empowering more young women into the industry.
About my role
- Curious
- Decisive
- Forthright
- Humorous
- Logical
- Personable
A Residential Development Manager oversees the entire lifecycle of residential projects, ensuring a successful delivery from concept to settlement.
My key responsibilities include:
Site Acquisition: Identifying and securing suitable land for development.
Development Approval: Navigating the planning and regulatory processes to obtain necessary approvals.
Sales and Marketing Launch: Developing and executing strategies to market and sell the development.
Funding: Securing financing for the project through various options.
Construction: Overseeing the building phase to ensure timely and quality delivery.
Settlement: Managing the final stages of the project, including handover to buyers.
The role requires a blend of strategic planning, financial acumen, project management skills, and regulatory knowledge to successfully manage all phases of residential development. Equally important is strong interpersonal skills to engage and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders throughout the process.
Education
- Grade 12 High School Certificate
- Bachelor of Mass Communications
- Bachelor of Property Economics
Subjects
- Accounting
- Art
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Drama
- English
- Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
Hobbies
- Beach adventures
- Camping
- Golf
- Gym
- Pilates
- Renovating
- Seeing family and friends
- Travel

15 year old me!!
My career journey
-
Enrolled in Bachelor of Mass Communication
-
Travelled and remained open to new opportunities
-
Completed Bachelor of Property Economics
-
Gained a position as an Acquisitions Analyst
-
Promoted to Assistant Development Manager and then Promoted to Development Manager
My typical day




My employer
