At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead land acquisition strategy and build a strong pipeline of residential development sites.
- Company: Fast-growing residential developer with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-linked commission, and direct exposure to senior leadership.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant ownership and clear progression towards Land Director role.
- Why this job: Shape the future land strategy and influence growth in an exciting environment.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in land acquisition and strong commercial judgement.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Build the land function of an ambitious, growing residential developer. An established and fast-growing residential developer is looking for an exceptional Head of Land to lead its acquisition strategy across Greater Manchester and the wider North West. The business has a clear ambition to scale its delivery significantly over the coming years, while remaining focused on quality, disciplined site selection and strong commercial returns. This is a foundational hire with the opportunity to shape the land function and progress towards a Land Director role as the business grows.
The Role
You will own the land acquisition process from identifying opportunities through to exchange, building a high-quality pipeline of residential development sites and developing the relationships that generate off-market opportunities. Key responsibilities include:
- Sourcing and securing residential development sites, particularly 60–80 unit suburban and urban infill opportunities.
- Building and maintaining a strong network of land agents, landowners and introducers across the North West.
- Producing and interrogating detailed development appraisals, including residual land value, IRR, margin and sensitivity analysis.
- Negotiating Heads of Terms and progressing acquisitions through due diligence and exchange.
- Assessing planning and development risk alongside internal Development and Commercial teams.
- Providing clear, commercially robust acquisition recommendations and pipeline reporting to the Board.
- Maintaining detailed knowledge of the North West land market and identifying emerging opportunities ahead of the competition.
About You
You'll be an experienced land acquisition professional with:
- A proven track record of acquiring residential development land with a regional or SME housebuilder.
- Strong technical appraisal skills, including residual land value, IRR and sensitivity analysis.
- An established North West network of agents, introducers and landowners.
- Strong commercial judgement and a willingness to walk away from deals that don't stack up.
- Good planning literacy and an understanding of development risk.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to present clear, Board-ready recommendations.
- The drive and resilience to build pipeline, develop relationships and convert opportunities into completed acquisitions.
Most importantly, you'll be commercially driven, well connected and proactive. You'll know how to create opportunities before they reach the open market, move quickly when the right deal appears, and maintain the discipline to protect returns.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to join a business at an exciting stage of growth and have genuine influence over its future land strategy. You'll have significant ownership, direct exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to build something rather than inherit an established function.
Location: Greater Manchester, with travel across the North West
Salary: 100,000 base + 40–50% performance-linked commission
Progression: Clear pathway towards Land Director
Call Simon Chevis on 0161 607 5087 or schevis@macdonaldandcompany.com
Head of Land in Manchester employer: Macdonald & Company
Join a dynamic in-house legal team that values collaboration and professional growth, offering a unique opportunity to work on high-profile construction projects in a supportive environment. With a focus on employee development, you will gain invaluable experience while contributing to significant industry advancements, all within a culture that prioritises innovation and teamwork. Located in a vibrant area, this role not only promises meaningful work but also a chance to thrive in a forward-thinking organisation committed to building safety and compliance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Land in Manchester
✨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 Macdonald & Company.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Macdonald & Company? 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 Macdonald & Company's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Land in Manchester
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 Head of Land role at Macdonald & Company, 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 Macdonald & Company
✨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 Macdonald & Company 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 Macdonald & Company. 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 Macdonald & Company.
