Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead land acquisition and build a new regional office from the ground up.
- Company: Established housebuilder with a strong financial backing and growth potential.
- Benefits: Clear career progression to Operations Director and influence over regional strategy.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping a new office and driving impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Senior land experience in housebuilding and strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Establishing a New Regional Office | Midlands Region.
A cash-rich, established housebuilder is setting up a new regional office to cover the wider Midlands, ahead of a planned future split into multiple regions. As part of this, they are appointing a Land Director as the first senior hire on the ground, with a clear progression into Operations Director as the platform develops.
This is a senior appointment focused on establishing the regional business rather than inheriting an existing one. Candidates with experience across the Midlands whether West, East or Central are all highly relevant.
The Role
The Land Director will be responsible for building the region’s land and development pipeline, establishing key relationships, and putting in place the foundations of a new operating business. The role will evolve into an Operations Director position in due course, with responsibility for running the region, including team, commercial performance and delivery.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading land acquisition, strategic land and partnership activity across the Midlands.
- Identifying, negotiating and securing development and joint venture opportunities.
- Establishing relationships with landowners, local authorities, housing associations and agents.
- Managing appraisals, viability, deal structures and contract negotiations.
- Working with planning, design and commercial teams to bring sites forward.
- Recruiting and building the regional team as the platform grows.
- Taking on full operational responsibility as sites progress into delivery.
What We’re Looking For
- A senior land background within a housebuilder, developer or residential-led business.
- Experience operating across the Midlands, or within one of its major sub-regions.
- A strong track record of securing and structuring residential development opportunities.
- Commercially astute with strong negotiation capability.
- Comfortable working in a fast-moving, growth-driven environment.
Why Apply?
- Opportunity to take a lead role in establishing a new regional office.
- Clear progression from Land Director to Operations Director.
- Backing of a well-funded, fast-moving housebuilder with an active pipeline.
- Senior-level influence over strategy, growth and delivery across the Midlands.
If this aligns with your experience and career direction, a confidential discussion can be arranged.
Land Director (Progression to Operations Director) employer: Cognisant
Contact Detail:
Cognisant Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Land Director (Progression to Operations Director)
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend local events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in land acquisition and development. Share specific examples of your successes in the Midlands to demonstrate your value and fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework on the company and its projects before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to establishing their new regional office and what strategies you’d implement to secure land and development opportunities.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Land Director (Progression to Operations Director)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Land Director. Highlight your experience in land acquisition and development, especially within the Midlands. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role and how you can help us establish our new regional office. Be sure to mention your negotiation skills and commercial acumen.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to secure and structure residential development opportunities. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cognisant
✨Know Your Market
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Midlands property market. Research recent developments, key players, and local authorities. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Network
Highlight your existing relationships with landowners, housing associations, and local authorities. Be prepared to discuss how these connections can benefit the company as they establish their new regional office.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've successfully identified and secured development opportunities in the past. Discuss your approach to negotiations and how you’ve structured deals to ensure mutual benefit.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
Since this role involves building a team, be ready to talk about your leadership style and experience. Share specific instances where you’ve recruited and developed talent, and how you plan to foster a strong team culture in the new office.
