Land And Development Manager

At Bellway we recognise that people are the key to our success, and we are committed to building an inclusive culture that values and respects difference combined with creating a safe and inclusive working environment for all colleagues. This means we are positive about making adjustments as well as providing flexible working and we would be happy to talk to you about how this could work for you.

There is an exciting opportunity to join Bellway, one of the UK’s largest house builders. Our North London Barking Division located in Essex is looking to recruit a Land and Development Manager to join the Division’s Land department.

The Role

The Land and Development Manager is responsible for Acquisition of land, delivery of development projects and leading the businesses skills and obligations requirements to meet the delivery objectives of the Bellway Barking business plan. 

The role of Land and Development Manager reports to the Managing Director.

The Land and Development Manager will implement development projects in line with business plan requirements. This includes working to develop strong and effective cross functional working initiatives and taking the lead on developing projects and representing the organisation with external and internal partners. 

In addition to the core competencies of land buying the Development Manager will also manage and lead projects from initial identification, bid preparation and submission, contract and planning stages through pre-start and provide support to all departments through to  practical completion.

Principal accountabilities of the Land and Development Manager role include:

• Identify, develop and implement growth opportunities including new Land and Development purchases, partnership and regeneration opportunities, BTR investment led projects, and other significant projects, within the agreed framework of strategies, policies and procedures. 
• Establish and maintain a network of connections with land agents, land owners, Housing Associations, local authorities, property professionals, funders, strategic partners
• Initiate and coordinate the evaluation of site feasibilities ensuring they are completed efficiently and in line with Bellway requirements
• Undertake value engineering in order to increase the sites profitability and/or saleability of a scheme post acquisition through planning where able
• Negotiate contractual and commercial terms with land owners and agents, reach a commercially viable decisions and resolve any conditionality attached to purchases
• Procure offers for affordable housing provided by third party partners.
• Prepare stage 1 & 2 ‘Land Packs’ for submission as appropriate and in accordance with approved policies, procedures and standards within agreed cost limits and timescales
• Working with the planning manager; monitor the planning evaluation of potential opportunities and engage in the preparation, submission and negotiation of planning applications
• Appoint, instruct and manage consultants and other professionals in accordance with group policy throughout the bidding phase for projects to ensure that bids run smoothly and are submitted on time and to budget. Follow group policy when appointing, instructing and monitoring consultants.
• Use financial appraisal and reporting tools to assist with the financial assessment and viability of projects and the cash-flow, programme monitoring and report to prospective JV partners where appropriate
• Ensure that the scheme risks as well as linkages to strategic risks, are identified and updated regularly and that procedures are followed to effectively manage and control these risks on a scheme by scheme basis
• Acting on behalf of Bellway in its role as “Development Manager” within joint ventures; ensure that there is robust monitoring of scheme development and effective financial control of the development programme during the design process in line with partnership business plan objectives 

Experience, Qualifications and Skills

Experience

• Successful experience in land acquisition ideally within the housebuilding industry
• Experience of site assessment, with the ability to instruct the appropriate assessment methods for a particular parcel of land
• Experience of the planning system, including the development plan process
• Project management experience
• An understanding of site identification methods and a proven ability to source land opportunities
• A good understanding of contracts and legal process associated with land acquisition and Development

Qualifications and Training

• A-Levels or equivalent
• Planning or Surveying Degree Grade 2:2 or above or equivalent is desirable
• RICS or RTPI is desirable

Skills and Aptitude

• Effective communication and negotiation skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Works effectively to deadlines and competently works on multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent cross-functional, team working ability
• Committed to diversity and inclusion

The Role and Working Conditions

• Willing to be flexible in respect to day to day duties and hours worked
• Ability to travel to potential land opportunities and Development sites on a regular basis

In return we can offer you:

Competitive salary

Competitive car allowance

Optional salary sacrifice car scheme

Competitive annual bonus

Contributory pension scheme

25 days holiday, plus bank holidays

Access to discounts and benefits portal

ShareSave Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Life assurance

We reserve the right to close this vacancy if a large volume of applications are received.