Head of Strategic Land in Towcester

Berrys is all about land and property. Working from four offices across the Midlands, we offer an array of services - planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation and business consultancy - to help our clients make the most of their assets. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary development team made up of engineers, surveyors, archaeologists, planners and architects. A strategic requirement has arisen within the Commercial Agency team in the Towcester office for a Chartered Surveyor to grow Berrys commercial agency provision in the area. The ideal candidate will be RICS-qualified and possess a strong understanding of property valuation, asset management and landlord-tenant legislation, having had plentiful experience in working with a diverse portfolio of commercial properties including offices, retail units and industrial sites. The successful candidate would have a track record of growing teams, creating brand awareness and establishing strong networks and relationships.

Operational Requirements:

• Act as the internal figurehead for our Strategic Land offer within the Towcester office and be the go-to source for technical and market expertise.
• Cover the Northamptonshire market and surrounding counties.
• Lead the identification, appraisal, and securing of strategic land opportunities through promotion agreements, option agreements, JV structures, and freehold acquisition/disposal.
• Undertake development appraisals, land valuation, and high-level viability assessments to inform strategic decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with planners, architects, valuers and development specialists to deliver cohesive advice and coordinated strategies for clients.
• Provide expert guidance to landowners, from initial site appraisal through to the promotion, planning and disposal processes.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the evolving planning landscape, local plan reviews, call-for-sites and regional housing need.
• Support and mentor junior team members, helping them develop technical understanding of strategic land, planning policy and the development lifecycle.
• Demonstrate commercial awareness, understanding drivers of profitability, efficiency and team productivity.

Strategic Requirements:

• Gain a deep understanding of Berrys' business model and multi-disciplinary service offering to promote a comprehensive development proposition to clients.
• Drive business development activity to expand our strategic land instructions across Northamptonshire and neighbouring counties.
• Build and maintain a strong network of landowners, promoters, developers, housebuilders, agents, and local authority contacts.
• Leverage existing relationships to enhance the pipeline of strategic land opportunities and cross-sell other Berrys services where appropriate.
• Review our current strategic land portfolio, identify strengths and weaknesses, and implement a diversification and growth plan.
• Monitor market trends, land values, planning policy and developer appetite, shaping Berrys' approach accordingly.
• Represent the company at industry events, maintaining a strong and positive presence within the regional land and development market.

This is a senior hire and the person must be able to develop and sustain their own book of clients and portfolio of instructions.

Person Specification:

• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• A passion for land, planning and development with a friendly, professional manner and strong client focus.
• Strong track record of advising landowners and managing strategic land instructions.
• Ability to set technical and commercial strategy for the strategic land team.
• Exceptional skills in land valuation, development appraisal and planning-led decision-making.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with excellent attention to detail.
• Resilient under pressure, adaptable to change and able to prioritise competing demands.
• Commitment to innovation and continual improvement of service delivery.
• RICS-accredited qualification preferred (Rural, Planning & Development or Commercial routes considered).
• Confident using social media channels such as LinkedIn to support business development.
• Full, clean UK driving licence essential due to site visits and landowner meetings.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, to be worked flexibly Monday-Friday in line with our Agile Working Philosophy.

Benefits:

• The role sits within a friendly and supportive team with opportunities to develop.
• We will offer an excellent salary for the right candidate reflective of your skills, qualifications and experience.
• We will pay all the appropriate professional memberships and fund your attendance at relevant CPD events and time off for approved training.
• We provide Private Healthcare scheme for all via BUPA.
• We have an Employee Assistance Programme, including a health plan and annual flu jab.
• We have an agile working philosophy allowing for a mix of remote and office working.
• We provide an entitlement of 35 days holiday per annum (pro rata to working hours) inclusive of bank holidays.
• An additional day off to celebrate your Birthday.
• We give an additional day of holiday for every 3 years of service.
• There is potential for discretionary bonus.
• We provide an enhanced workplace pension scheme operated through the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST).
• Following successful probation period, access to employee loan and employee discount on Berrys services.
• We offer salary sacrifice schemes for Electric Vehicles and Cycle to Work schemes.

Closing Date: 25th March 2026. Please note that we may close this role early, if sufficient applications are received, therefore it is recommended to apply early if you match the criteria.