Surveyor/Associate/Associate Director – Land and Development

Surveyor/Associate/Associate Director – Land and Development

Full-Time 45000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Land & Development team to support and lead residential projects.
  • Company: Dynamic property consultancy based in Edinburgh with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Full-time role with clear pathways to senior leadership and professional growth.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in residential development while building valuable client relationships.
  • Qualifications: Degree level education, MRICS qualified or relevant experience required.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.

Key details

  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours)

About the role

We are seeking a motivated and commercially focused individual to join our Land & Development team in Edinburgh. This role offers the opportunity to work across land agency, development consultancy and residential investment, with the level of appointment tailored to the successful candidate’s experience. At Surveyor level, you will support senior colleagues on live instructions and develop your technical expertise across the full residential development lifecycle. At Associate or Associate Director level, you will take a more senior, client‑facing role – driving business development, leading transactions, and contributing to the growth and direction of the team. Working within a collaborative and well‑connected business, you will benefit from close integration with our Residential Research, New Homes and Agency teams, providing a broad platform to deliver best‑in‑class advice to clients. This role anchors the land agency capability and offers a clear pathway to senior leadership for the right individual.

About you

You’ll be a driven and commercially aware property professional with a strong interest in residential development and land agency. You’ll thrive in this role if you:

  • Are highly analytical and commercially minded
  • Enjoy building relationships and working with clients
  • Are proactive, driven and comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment
  • Have strong communication and presentation skills
  • Can work both independently and as part of a team

For more senior candidates, you will also bring:

  • An established network within the Scottish development market
  • A track record of winning work and managing client relationships
  • Leadership capability and an interest in mentoring others

Key responsibilities

Responsibilities will vary depending on level, but will include:

  • Supporting or leading the acquisition and disposal of residential development land
  • Undertaking development appraisals, feasibility studies and financial modelling
  • Preparing site appraisals, pricing advice and client reports
  • Assisting with or leading residential investment and capital markets transactions
  • Preparing and delivering presentations, pitches and marketing materials
  • Maintaining databases of development opportunities and market comparables
  • Collaborating with internal teams to maximise cross‑referral opportunities

At Associate / Associate Director level, additional responsibilities will include:

  • Leading transactions and client relationships
  • Originating new instructions and driving fee income
  • Mentoring and supporting junior team members
  • Contributing to team strategy and performance

Key requirements

Education and Qualifications

  • Educated to degree level
  • MRICS qualified or working towards APC (if not MRICS, then must be experienced and bring a relevant skill set)

Experience & Technical Skills

  • Experience or strong interest in residential development, land or investment markets
  • Strong financial appraisal and analytical skills, including cashflow modelling
  • Proficiency in Excel; experience with development appraisal software (e.g. Argus Developer) preferred
  • Strong report writing and communication skills
  • Understanding of the Scottish planning system and development process (desirable)

For more senior candidates:

  • Proven track record in residential land agency or development
  • Established industry network in Scotland
  • Demonstrable ability to win and deliver client instructions
  • Strong commercial awareness and business development capability

Competencies

  • Collaboration
  • Commercial awareness
  • Communication
  • Customer Focus
  • Planning & Organising
  • Problem Solving & Innovation
  • Positive mindset

For more senior candidates:

  • Business development and fee generation
  • Decision making and managing risk
  • Strategic and lateral thinking
  • Entrepreneurial mindset
  • People management (desirable)

Surveyor/Associate/Associate Director – Land and Development employer: Rettie & Co

Join a dynamic and collaborative team in Edinburgh, where your career as a Surveyor or Associate Director in Land and Development can flourish. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth, with clear pathways to senior leadership roles and opportunities to mentor others. Enjoy the benefits of working in a well-connected environment, leveraging our extensive resources to deliver exceptional client service while building lasting relationships in the thriving Scottish development market.

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Contact Details:

Rettie & Co Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Surveyor/Associate/Associate Director – Land and Development

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

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Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach

Got your eye on a specific company like Rettie & Co? 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 Rettie & Co's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Surveyor/Associate/Associate Director – Land and Development

Analytical Skills
Commercial Awareness
Client Relationship Management
Communication Skills
Presentation Skills
Financial Appraisal
Cashflow Modelling

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 Surveyor/Associate/Associate Director – Land and Development role at Rettie & Co, 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 Rettie & Co

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 Rettie & Co 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 Rettie & Co. 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 Rettie & Co.