Head - Acquisitions

Application closing date: 27/09/2026. Interviews will take place: Week commencing 12/10/2026.

A bit about the role. Working in the South Acquisitions Team with Assistant Director for South, this role plays a critical part in leading the Team. You will be joining a highly experienced, skilled and successful team who are focussed on unlocking difficult and undelivered sites. The team works closely with colleagues in all parts of Homes England to intervene in the market when required and secure land through acquisition. Many of the sites being secured are challenging sites with either delivery problems or planning constraints. This is an exciting role to lead the team in the South East of England in acquiring numerous development sites. We are currently working across a number of projects and acquisitions ranging from 80 homes to over 13,000 homes, with all sites having the potential to deliver over 30,000 homes collectively.

An example of some of our recent acquisitions:

• Carrow Works – Norwich: The home of the former Colemans Mustard Factory and Robinsons Squash Factory this brownfield site has been acquired as part of the regeneration of East Norwich.
• Former Northeye Prison – Bexhill: This former redundant prison and army base sits in the countryside close to Bexhill and although allocated has a number of challenges such as ecology, drainage and access.
• Hill Top Farm – Folkestone: Acquired and purchased with a short window to help support the delivery of a new large settlement.

Our mission is to accelerate and unlock the delivery of high-quality homes, whilst also supporting economic growth through regeneration and placemaking. This is a rare chance to work for an organisation which is uniquely positioned to shape the future of place-based housing delivery and regeneration. Working with internal and external stakeholders, you will support our experienced team in driving delivery on complex sites.

A bit about you… We are looking for someone to join our team who is a confident leader and understands land buying and the South East housing market. We are seeking individuals who are passionate about unlocking and delivering complex sites and know the barriers faced in delivering them. You will enjoy working as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a fast-paced environment drawing on your skills and experience. You’ll have a strong understanding of the development delivery process, land assembly, design, planning and funding. You’ll have the ability to review and absorb information on complex projects, undertake analysis and produce reports for internal and external stakeholders. You’ll have worked in environments and on projects where attention to detail is of paramount importance, but also where you can take a strategic approach. Delivering on a mission as bold as ours isn’t always easy. You will be resilient and comfortable managing stakeholders at a senior level and your discussions will always be shaped by a good understanding of the commercial and operational impact of what we do as an Acquisition Team. You will enjoy working in an innovative, fun and engaging way and be able to negotiate and persuade. As an experienced land acquisition and delivery professional, you’ll understand how to manage colleagues and be able to demonstrate you can work with others as part of a team in a collaborative, inclusive way.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Land Acquisition: You will need a proven track record in identifying and acquiring sites in your previous roles.
• Working in partnership: You will be used to working successfully with the full range of partners and stakeholders involved in the development process and understand their needs and priorities.
• Development Experience: Experience of working on large scale or complex development projects, with an understanding of the factors that drive strategic development and planning.
• Development Appraisals & Cash Flows: We spend a lot of time reviewing viabilities and appraisals as well as creating our own viabilities and business plans. A knowledge of Argus Appraisal system is helpful but not essential.
• Funding Knowledge: Knowledge of the economics and funding of major infrastructure to support large scale housing developments. Experience of infrastructure / development funding would be an advantage, but it is not essential.
• Report / Paper Writing: Preparing reports and papers for internal and external readership is a core part of the role. Preparation and presentation of papers to Peer Reviewers and Approval Boards to support the Acquisition is a requirement of the role. Some of the reports produced by our team may include briefing papers for our CEO, Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Secretary of State in addition to internal decision‑making boards.
• Leading teams: Experience of managing, guiding and inspiring direct reportees.

Essential: Degree level qualification or equivalent experience as a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), Town Planner (RTPI), Housebuilder, Urban Regeneration specialist or experience in Development Finance.

As a Head of Acquisitions, you will be asked to support on a number of projects that require various property development skills and knowledge. We appreciate you may not have all the skills/experience listed in the job description.

Who are we? Homes England: The Housing and Regeneration Agency. We believe that affordable, quality homes in well-designed places are key to improving people’s lives. As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, we create thriving new places and transform urban areas, combining the full breadth of our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more homes built.

What we offer: As well as a competitive salary and 33 days annual leave, we are committed to 50/50 hybrid working. We’ll support you, wherever possible, so that you don’t miss out on what matters to you. Membership of the Homes and Communities Agency Pension Scheme, which is a contributory defined benefit scheme with the amount you receive on retirement based on your salary and years worked at the Agency. If you ever need a bit of extra help, we have a great employee assistance programme, a wide range of healthcare plans, financial wellbeing support and access to many great discounts with leading high street names. Our range of network groups are also there to support you to be yourself at work and play a key role in helping shape our future. If you are a member of a professional body, we’ll pay for your membership and once you get your digital kit, you’ll be good to go.

Homes England are a geographically diverse community. We work to a 50/50 office/home based model. Moving back into our office environments has enabled us to utilise our space and time together in the most collaborative way. We’re a diverse team of more than 1,000 professionals spanning 17 professions, helping Homes England to be effective, efficient and deliver for communities. Our people remain at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to building an Agency that not only reflects the diverse communities we serve, but also champions inclusion in how we shape homes and places across the country.

You will be required to have the Right to Work in the UK and Homes England do not offer visa sponsorship. If your application is shortlisted to interview we will require you to provide proof of your Right to Work in the UK at this stage.