Recruiting Now: Head of Land

A fantastic opportunity has become available for a full time Head of Land to join our property development company based in Penrith, Cumbria. The position is suited to an experienced and motivated individual who wishes to progress in their career and join a company with exciting future growth prospects.

The ideal candidate will provide skilled planning input on new land opportunities, manage site progression, land negotiation, planning strategy, planning process, and assist with pre-construction project management through to enabling site start, working in alliance with our collaborative technical team and project professionals, and reporting directly to our Managing Director.

The company focuses on sites between 10-70 units in size, predominately new build residential housing. Experience running similar size construction projects including timber frame and traditional is essential.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Establish and manage the project team
• Source new feasible land opportunities in and around Cumbria
• Lead initial planning appraisals for new and strategic land opportunities
• Maintain a well-kept efficient database of Local Plan positions and policies
• Keep up to date with planning policy and local plan changes
• Manage planning consultants during the pre-app, PAC and planning application process
• Assist with optimising pre-planning layouts
• Provide calculated planning advice in terms of re-planning to intensify the site or amend housing mix to improve viability
• Ensure all consultants meet with the company’s objectives when designing new developments and conform to all local authority and other relevant regulatory body requirements
• Organise ecology, acoustic, ground investigation, structural, sustainability and viability reports as necessary
• Review all project documents for accuracy and completeness
• Monitor and effectively manage fee budgets
• Oversee all planning conditions including fee proposals, obtaining documents and submission
• Produce and maintain process for tracking conditions
• Handle enforcement queries and complaints
• Resolve issues arising due to deviation from planning permission, such as amendment of planning permission, non-material amendments/s73 applications, amendment of s106 and deed of variation
• Form positive commercial relationships with local authority, highways and planning officers throughout Cumbria
• Provide planning support at team project meetings
• Conduct site visits as needed

Experience and Skills

• In-depth knowledge of present planning legislation
• Experience of successfully managing planning applications throughout Cumbria
• Involvement of pre-construction project management
• Understanding of technical opportunities and constraints of a construction site
• Must be a driven and proactive individual
• Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Strong communication abilities
• Detail orientated
• Good organisational skills
• Full UK driving license

Hours and Salary

• Job type: full time, permanent
• Hours: Monday to Friday, approximately 40 hours per week, although demands will fluctuate
• From £40,000.00 per annum dependant on experience
• Salary negotiable dependant on skills and experience
• Company pension
• Mileage contribution to be discussed

To apply please email a cover letter and your CV to jonathan.willan@willanliving.co.uk