At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a full-service planning and development offering in Kettering.
- Company: Berrys, a people-focused property business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: 35 days holiday, private healthcare, enhanced pension, and agile working.
- Other info: Real autonomy and a clear pathway to partnership for motivated individuals.
- Why this job: Shape the future of planning and development while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: MRTPI/MRICS qualified with significant experience in planning or development consultancy.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Company
Berrys is a people-focused property business, built on trusted relationships and a commitment to delivering the best outcomes for our clients. Property is what we do, but our clients and our team are at the heart of everything we achieve. Acting as a trusted advisor, we are ready to support at any stage, bringing together expertise and insight to help navigate challenges and unlock opportunities.
Working across four offices in the Midlands, we offer a wide range of services including planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation and business consultancy, helping our clients make the very most of their land and property assets. Here, you'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team of engineers, surveyors, archaeologists, planners and architects. We're large enough to offer a diverse range of projects and career opportunities, yet small enough to give you real autonomy. We offer the chance to build meaningful relationships and the space to grow your skills.
This is a leadership position. The incoming Planning and Development Lead will take ownership of building and scaling a full-service development offering at Berrys, using the firm's established client base, regional reputation and multi-disciplinary platform as a springboard for growth. The role sits at the partner level and will be treated as such. Berrys is looking for a leader, not just a deliverer, and expects the right person to shape planning and development in Kettering for years to come.
Key Responsibilities
- Take autonomous ownership of the planning and development service line in Kettering, setting its direction and driving its growth.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of instructions from landowners, developers, promoters and investors across Northamptonshire.
- Deliver technical planning consultancy across a broad range of sectors, including residential, commercial, mixed-use and strategic land.
- Provide strategic planning advice and lead on pre-application engagement, planning applications, appeals and post-planning work.
- Draw on and coordinate the wider Berrys team across architecture, building surveying, valuation and land promotion to deliver a joined-up, full-service offering.
- Identify and convert new business opportunities, including cross-referrals from existing Berrys clients across the practice.
- Build a strong personal presence and profile for Berrys in the Northamptonshire market through networking and business development activity.
- Grow the team over time, with the ability to recruit and develop people around you as the offering scales.
- Contribute to the commercial direction and strategic planning of the wider business alongside the Berrys leadership team.
Candidate Profile
- An experienced and commercially driven planning professional, ready to operate at a senior or partner level.
- MRTPI / MRICS qualified, with significant post-qualification experience in a planning or development consultancy environment.
- Broad planning knowledge across multiple sectors, with an understanding of the wider development process.
- Strong commercial judgement and an ability to identify and convert business opportunities.
- Confident and credible at a senior level, comfortable engaging with clients, agents, local authorities and wider stakeholders.
- An appetite for business development that goes beyond duty — someone who finds it genuinely energising.
- Experience of, or an appetite to embrace, a multi-disciplinary practice environment and the opportunities it creates for clients.
- Motivated by long-term ownership and progression, including a genuine interest in partnership.
- A full, clean UK driving licence.
Why Berrys?
- Real autonomy to lead and build a full-service development offering from a position of strength.
- Immediate access to an established client base and a strong regional reputation.
- The Berrys multi-disciplinary platform is a genuine competitive advantage for clients.
- A collaborative, flat structure where senior people have genuine influence from day one.
- A clear long-term pathway, with partnership a genuine possibility for the right individual.
- 35 days holiday, private healthcare, enhanced pension, agile working, and a comprehensive benefits package.
Partner - Planning & Development in Northampton employer: Berrys
Berrys is an exceptional employer that prioritises its people, offering a collaborative and supportive work environment where you can truly make an impact. With a strong focus on professional growth, the company provides real autonomy and the opportunity to lead a full-service development offering in Kettering, backed by an established client base and a multi-disciplinary team. Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including 35 days of holiday and private healthcare, all while being part of a culture that values meaningful relationships and long-term career progression.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partner - Planning & Development in Northampton
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Berrys.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Berrys? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Berrys's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Partner - Planning & Development in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Partner - Planning & Development role at Berrys, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Berrys
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Berrys operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Berrys. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Berrys.
