Construction Jobs

Strategic Land and Planning Manager (South)

Job Description

Bellway is a FTSE 250 house builder, headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, which operates 22 trading divisions across England, Scotland and Wales. The company has grown from a family firm, established more than 70 years ago, into a respected national brand, selling over ten thousand homes a year. At Bellway we recognise that people are the key to our success and our goal is to provide a rewarding and fulfilling career in line with our values of quality, service and trust. In addition to this we are committed to being a more inclusive employer and invite applications from a variety of backgrounds. There is an exciting opportunity to join Bellway, one of the UK’s largest house builders. Our Strategic Land Team are looking to recruit a Strategic Land and Planning Manager for our southern Divisions (London and the South East). The Role The role of Strategic Land Manager Land and Planning Manager is responsible for identifying, negotiating and acquiring strategic residential sites. The Strategic Land and Planning Manager also manages and controls the promotion of a portfolio of strategic sites through the local plan process and seeks to obtain planning permission for the sites. The role of Strategic Land and Planning Manager reports to the Strategic Land Director Central and Group Strategic Land Director. Principle accountabilities of the Strategic Land and Planning Manager role include: • Closely monitor national and local planning policy to identify windows of opportunity to locate and promote sites through the planning system. • Identify future strategic sites with development potential in line with the acquisition strategy agreed with the Strategic Land Director. • Conduct planning and viability appraisals and searches for sites to assess their suitability for acquisition. • Once sites are identified as having positive planning status contact landowners and agents alike in order to promote Bellway as their preferred choice of developer/promoter. • Successfully negotiate heads of terms with landowners and agents. • Prepare planning strategies that aim to obtain a Local Plan allocation or planning permission in shortest possible timeframe in liaison with the relevant Strategic Land Director. • Project manage the planning promotion process of each site in line with the agreed planning strategy. Liaising closely with planning and technical consultants to ensure that each project runs on time and within budget aiming to achieve the set objectives. • Attend planning committee meetings and public consultation events in order to present on behalf of Bellway as necessary, often outside of normal working hours. Experience, Qualifications and Skills Experience • Experience of working with a high volume national housebuilder, planning consultancy or land agency. • Some experience of successfully identifying and negotiating land deals through to exchange of contracts. • Experience of promoting sites through the Local Plan process. • Preparation and submission of planning applications and or appeals. • Experience in the negotiation of S106 agreements. • Networking contacts such as local government officers, planning consultants, landowners and land agents. • Strong understanding of national and local planning policy. Qualifications and Training • RICS or RTPI qualified. • Full UK driving licence Skills and Aptitude • An understanding of the legal process for option agreements, promotion agreements, joint ventures and freehold purchases would be preferable although training will also be given. • Ability to run high level financial viabilities for land opportunities. • Able to work under pressure to tight and changing deadlines. • A self-starter capable of creating and maintaining momentum in projects. • Communication and listening skills. • Ability to communicate with a diverse range of people. • Excellent negotiating skills. • Excellent attention to detail. • Ability to work to deadlines • 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 and willingness to travel on a regular basis. In return we can offer you: • Competitive salary • Company car / car allowance • 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays • Contributory pension scheme • Life assurance