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: Exciting opportunities for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Join us in creating vibrant communities and making a real impact in London.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in residential development and strong commercial acumen.
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)
Head of Development - Hybrid Working 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 Head of Development - Hybrid Working in London
✨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 Places Developments.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Places Developments? 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 Places Developments's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development - Hybrid Working in London
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 Development - Hybrid Working role at Places Developments, 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 Places Developments
✨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 Places Developments 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 Places Developments. 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 Places Developments.
