Land Manager in Ashington

The Land Manager will play a critical role in supporting the company's development and regeneration objectives by leading the identification, acquisition, optioning, and consenting of land across the county. The post holder will proactively assemble deliverable sites, manage landowner and stakeholder relationships, and secure the necessary land interests and planning consents required to enable housing, employment, regeneration, and infrastructure projects. The role will work closely with development, planning, legal, and commercial teams to de-risk projects and ensure land is acquired and consented in a timely, value-for-money manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Land Identification & Site Assembly: Identify potential development and regeneration sites aligned with the business plan and local authority priorities. Undertake high-level site appraisals, including ownership constraints, planning policy context, title issues, access, and abnormal risks. Develop and implement land assembly strategies, including phased acquisition and collaboration with multiple landowners where required.
• Land Acquisition & Disposal: Lead negotiations for the acquisition of land and property interests, including freehold, leasehold, options, promotion, overage, and conditional contracts. Instruct and manage external advisers (agents, valuers, solicitors) to progress acquisitions efficiently and in line with governance requirements. Support disposals of land where appropriate, ensuring best consideration and alignment with wider development objectives.
• Consenting & Planning: Lead the land and property aspects of the planning consent process, working closely with planning consultants and local authority officers. Support the promotion of sites through the Local Plan process, including preparation of landowner agreements and evidence submissions. Manage landowner inputs to planning applications, including legal agreements, certificates, and land referencing. Support negotiations relating to planning obligations, land-controlled infrastructure, and access arrangements.
• Stakeholder & Landowner Management: Build and maintain positive working relationships with landowners, developers, statutory bodies, and local stakeholders. Act as a key point of contact for landowners throughout acquisition and consenting processes, ensuring clear communication and expectation management. Represent the company in meetings and negotiations with external partners and public sector bodies.
• Risk Management & Governance: Identify and manage land-related risks including title defects, ransom strips, third-party rights, and viability impacts. Prepare and present reports, option appraisals, and recommendations for internal approvals and board-level decision making. Maintain accurate land and property records and contribute to land strategies and pipeline reporting.

Generic Requirements for all colleagues: Contribute to the creation of a positive culture in line with company values. Show commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace and ensure this is reflected in all activities. Ensure a safe working environment is promoted across the business. Contribute to the financial performance of the business, in line with role responsibilities. Undertake other reasonable duties as requested.

Personal Specification

You must have:

• Demonstrable experience in land acquisition, site assembly, or development land management.
• Strong understanding of the UK planning system and land-related consenting processes.
• Proven ability to negotiate robust land agreements and manage professional advisers.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including landowners, developers, and public sector bodies.
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance risk, value, and deliverability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing for senior stakeholders.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Qualifications:

Degree or professional qualification in a relevant discipline such as Real Estate, Surveying, Planning, or Property. Membership of or working towards membership of RICS or another relevant professional body (desirable).

It would be good but not essential if you also have:

• Experience working within a local authority, arm's-length development company, or regeneration context.
• Knowledge of compulsory purchase processes or strategic land promotion.
• Experience supporting housing-led or mixed-use regeneration projects.
• Understanding of public sector governance and decision-making processes.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.