At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex residential developments and drive regional growth strategies.
- Company: A leading Social Enterprise focused on sustainable community development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, and 35 days holiday.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor teams and shape the future of housing in London.
- Why this job: Join a team delivering impactful regeneration projects in vibrant communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential development and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Head of Development to lead a portfolio of complex residential-led developments, including mixed-tenure and mixed-use schemes, affordable housing projects, joint ventures and commercial opportunities. Reporting to the Regional Director, you will play a pivotal role in delivering our regional growth strategy, leading a portfolio of complex residential-led developments from acquisition through planning, delivery and completion.
In our Greater London region, we are delivering some of the UK's most ambitious regeneration and housing-led developments. This includes our flagship Eastwick and Sweetwater neighbourhoods in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London, where we're creating vibrant mixed-tenure communities with c1,500 new homes, community facilities, public spaces and commercial opportunities. We are also progressing Camden Film Quarter where we are the residential partner, working with our delivery partner Yoo Capital, bringing forwards a major mixed-use regeneration project that will deliver new homes, employment space and a world-class hub for the UK's creative and film industries. These landmark schemes showcase our ability to lead complex partnerships, unlock large-scale regeneration opportunities and create sustainable places where people and communities can thrive.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a business delivering some of London's most significant regeneration and housing-led developments. As one of the UK's leading Social Enterprises, we are committed to creating places where people and communities can thrive, balancing commercial success with long-term social value.
- Identify, assess and secure new residential, mixed-use and regeneration development opportunities.
- Lead complex land and development transactions, including acquisitions, options, conditional contracts, promotion agreements, development agreements and joint ventures.
- Manage projects through the full development lifecycle from site acquisition and planning through to delivery and completion.
- Lead masterplanning, planning strategy and development optimisation across major schemes.
- Prepare and present investment papers, development appraisals, viability assessments and business cases for senior leadership and Board approval.
- Drive commercial performance whilst ensuring developments deliver high-quality homes, strong customer outcomes and sustainable communities.
- Manage relationships with local authorities, Homes England, landowners, registered providers, consultants, investors and development partners.
- Oversee project risks, opportunities and programme performance across a substantial development portfolio.
- Lead, mentor and develop Development Managers and wider project teams.
Demonstrable experience delivering a range of residential development schemes across a range of tenures, including Affordable Housing, Build to Rent (BTR) and mixed-tenure developments.
- Proven experience leading and completing complex land and development transactions across a range of projects, structures and tenures including affordable and build to rent.
- Strong understanding of the UK planning system, development process and residential market.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen with experience preparing and managing development appraisals, funding streams, viability assessments and business cases using development financial models.
- Experience of leading master planning and development strategy for large-scale residential or mixed-use developments, working with consultants, local authorities and key stakeholders.
- Experience working collaboratively with a range of partners from all parts of the sector including housebuilders, funds, local authorities and public sector stakeholders.
- Demonstrable success in securing planning permissions and progressing development opportunities into delivery.
You will be a commercially astute development professional with a strong track record of originating and delivering successful residential and regeneration projects. You will combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach and be comfortable operating across both public and private sector environments. Equally capable of negotiating complex commercial transactions and building long-term partnerships, you will understand the importance of delivering developments that create lasting value for customers and communities.
Whether your background is in housebuilding, regeneration, mixed-tenure development, affordable housing, strategic land or development consultancy, you will bring the leadership capability, commercial expertise and collaborative approach required to drive a significant regional development programme.
We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:
- Competitive salary with regular annual review
- Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
- 35 days holiday (including bank holidays)
Development Chef (Hybrid) in London employer: Places Developments
Places Developments is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community values and collaboration. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and ample training opportunities for personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the Swindon area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef (Hybrid) in London
✨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 Places Developments, 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 Development Chef (Hybrid) at Places Developments.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef (Hybrid) in London
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 Places Developments
✨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!
