At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead residential developments from land identification to planning approval and handover.
- Company: Gilbert & Goode, a respected regional housebuilder with a community-first approach.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 27 days holiday, car allowance, health plan, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to building lasting memories and customer satisfaction.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by creating inspiring homes and strengthening local communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential development and strong negotiation skills required.
Gilbert & Goode is seeking an ambitious and commercially astute Senior Development Manager to join our growing Pre-Construction team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced development professional to play a leading role in securing and delivering residential development opportunities across Cornwall and Devon.
Working closely with the Land & Partnership Team Manager and the Pre-Construction Director, you'll help drive business growth through land acquisition, strategic partnerships, and planning delivery, ensuring schemes are both commercially successful and aligned with our reputation for quality homes and great customer outcomes.
The opportunity: As Senior Development Manager, you will lead residential developments from land identification through to planning approval and handover, managing the full pre-construction development lifecycle. You'll work with internal teams, local authorities, landowners, consultants and stakeholders to bring forward viable, sustainable and customer-focused developments. This is a strategic and influential role where you'll help shape long-term business plans, and contribute to the continued growth of Gilbert & Goode.
What you will be doing:
- Identifying, assessing and progressing land, development and new business opportunities.
- Developing strategic land and pipeline plans to support business growth.
- Leading feasibility studies, due diligence, viability assessments and development appraisals.
- Negotiating land acquisitions, joint ventures, option agreements and commercial partnerships.
- Managing planning applications and guiding projects through the planning process.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with landowners, local authorities, consultants and key stakeholders.
- Monitoring programme delivery, budgets, risk and scheme viability.
- Supporting Board and senior leadership decision-making through high-quality reporting and appraisal presentations.
- Acting as a key ambassador for Gilbert & Goode and contributing to the wider management team.
About you: You'll be a highly motivated development professional with a proven track record of securing land opportunities and delivering successful residential developments.
Essential Experience & Knowledge:
- Extensive experience across the residential development lifecycle.
- Proven success in land acquisition and delivering planning consents.
- Strong understanding of development appraisal and financial viability.
- Experience generating new business opportunities and managing customer and stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent knowledge of planning policy and local and national housing strategies.
- Experience developing land and pipeline strategies that support business plans.
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of market conditions.
Essential Skills:
- Outstanding negotiation and influencing skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Strong financial, risk and budget management capability.
- Effective project and programme management skills.
- Ability to analyse complex information and present clear recommendations.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the confidence to identify and seize opportunities.
- Resilient, self-motivated and focused on delivering results.
- Ability to collaborate across teams and build professional networks.
- Confidence presenting at senior leadership level.
Qualifications: Degree or Level 6 qualification in any discipline (or equivalent). Desirable to have a qualification in planning, construction or development related discipline.
Why Join Gilbert & Goode? Bring your skills to a company with a strong regional reputation and a values-led purpose. We build more than homes — we create places where life unfolds. At Gilbert & Goode, we are committed to “building inspiring homes and creating lasting memories”, placing customers at the heart of everything we do. Award-winning customer satisfaction. We proudly hold the In-house 2026 Platinum Award for Customer Satisfaction, reflecting the trust our customers place in us and the exceptional buying experience we deliver. A leading regional housebuilder with purpose. Since 1972, Gilbert & Goode has grown into one of the South West’s most respected new homes developers, creating inspiring neighbourhoods across Cornwall and Devon. Your work has real social value. As part of Ocean Housing, our profits are gift-aided back to support the delivery of affordable housing. This means your contribution directly helps provide homes for local people and strengthens the communities we serve. Community-first approach. We believe the most successful developments are shaped by the people who live in them. Community voices influence our designs, ensuring our homes and neighbourhoods genuinely meet local needs. Alongside this sense of purpose, you’ll join a supportive, collaborative, and forward-thinking team, based at our St Austell headquarters with strong local roots and a deep commitment to the region. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels supported to perform at their best.
Our Benefits: We offer a flexible and supportive working environment, plus an excellent benefits package:
- 27 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
- 10% car allowance
- Professional membership fees paid
- Company sick pay scheme
- Workplace pension with death-in-service benefit
- Home office work payment
- Medicash health plan (including dental and optical cover)
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Rewards and recognition programme
- On-site parking
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Family-friendly policies
Key Dates: Closing Date: Sunday 9th of August 2026 at Midnight. Interviews to be held: Tuesday 18th of August 2026 in St Austell. We may close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications—so apply soon.
Locations
Senior Development Manager in Charlestown, Cornwall employer: Ocean Housing Group
Gilbert & Goode is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and community impact. As a leading regional housebuilder based in St Austell, Cornwall, we provide our team with meaningful opportunities to contribute to sustainable residential developments while enjoying a competitive benefits package, including generous holiday allowances and professional development support. Join us to be part of a purpose-driven organisation that values your contributions and fosters a sense of belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Development Manager in Charlestown, Cornwall
✨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 Ocean Housing Group, 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 Senior Development Manager at Ocean Housing Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Development Manager in Charlestown, Cornwall
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 Ocean Housing Group
✨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!
