At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead residential projects from land acquisition to construction start, ensuring smooth progress through planning and approvals.
- Company: Join a top-tier 5* PLC housebuilder with a focus on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, bonus scheme, pension, healthcare, and more perks.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the housing sector while managing exciting development projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in pre-development or planning roles, with strong project management skills.
Overview of Business
We are partnered with a leading 5* PLC housebuilder to appoint a Pre-Development Manager.
This is a key role within the development function, supporting the progression of residential sites from land acquisition through planning, technical approvals and ultimately to construction start.
Job description
Reporting into the Development Director, you will take ownership of projects from the point a site is secured by the Land team through the pre-development process.
You will ensure schemes progress efficiently through planning, design, approvals and associated technical workstreams, coordinating internal stakeholders and external consultants to achieve programme objectives.
While planning experience is important, this is a project-led role requiring someone who can manage multiple workstreams, identify risks and keep developments moving towards site commencement.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage residential developments from secured site through planning, approvals and readiness for construction.
- Coordinate external consultants, including planning, technical, design and other specialist advisers.
- Drive project programmes, ensuring key actions, approvals and deliverables are completed on time.
- Work closely with Land, Technical, Commercial, Construction, Sales and other internal teams.
- Monitor project risks, dependencies and constraints, taking ownership of solutions to keep schemes progressing.
- Support planning strategy and oversee the progression of planning applications and associated approvals.
- Coordinate the information required to move sites from pre-development into delivery.
- Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders throughout the development lifecycle.
Essential experience
- Previous experience in a Pre-Development Manager, Planning Manager, Development Manager or similar role.
- Strong planning experience within a residential development environment.
- Demonstrable project-management experience, ideally taking sites from acquisition through to construction commencement.
- Experience managing external consultants and coordinating several internal functions.
- Strong understanding of the residential development lifecycle, planning process and key pre-construction activities.
- Organised, commercially aware and confident managing multiple competing priorities.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Car allowance/ Company Car
- Bonus Scheme
- Pension
- Health Care
- Variety of additional benefits
Pre-Development Manager in Aberdeen employer: Harken Search Ltd
As a Senior Technical Manager with our North London residential development partner, you will join a company that prioritises safety, compliance, and high-quality technical governance. The work culture fosters collaboration with external experts and internal teams, ensuring your contributions are valued and impactful. With competitive salaries, bonuses, healthcare, and pension benefits, this role offers not just a job, but a pathway for professional growth in a supportive environment dedicated to excellence in fire remediation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-Development Manager in Aberdeen
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Harken Search Ltd, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Pre-Development Manager at Harken Search Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-Development Manager in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harken Search Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
