At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic land acquisition and development, ensuring successful project delivery.
- Company: Join Vistry, a top UK housebuilder committed to integrity and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, up to 39 days leave, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping sustainable communities and leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Significant experience at Director level in Strategic Land or Development required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Strategic Land & Development Director to join our team within Vistry Services Strategic Land, at our Brentwood or Cheltenham office. As our Strategic Land & Development Director, you will provide strategic, commercial and operational leadership across the Strategic Land & Development function, ensuring the successful identification, acquisition, management and disposal of strategic land opportunities in line with the Company's business plan and long-term growth objectives.
The Strategic Land & Development Director will lead the land acquisition and development strategy, oversee the management of the entire strategic land portfolio, and ensure that all projects are progressed through planning and development in a commercially disciplined and financially robust manner. The role is responsible for leading a team of Associate Land & Development Directors and their wider teams, providing clear direction, governance and accountability across all areas of the business. The role also has line management responsibility for the Associate Development Director (Technical), ensuring appropriate technical, infrastructure and delivery advice is provided to support the Planning function.
Let's cut to the chase, what's in it for you:
- Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
- Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
- Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
- Up to 39 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 2 Volunteering days per annum
- Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
- Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
- Share save and share incentive schemes
- Christmas company shutdown
- Employee rewards portal with many more benefits
In return, what we would like from you:
- Behave in line with our company values - Integrity, Caring and Quality
- Significant experience operating at Director or Senior Leadership level within Strategic Land, Development or related sectors.
- Proven track record of securing major strategic land opportunities.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing senior professionals.
- Demonstrable success in delivering planning consents and commercial outcomes across large, complex development projects.
- Experience presenting investment recommendations and business plans at Board level.
- Proven leadership of business planning, budgeting and forecasting processes
- Expert understanding of strategic land acquisition structures, planning promotion and development processes.
- Advanced commercial, legal and financial negotiation skills.
- Strong understanding of development viability, financial modelling and investment appraisal.
- Comprehensive knowledge of UK planning legislation and policy.
More about the Strategic Land & Development Director role:
- Strategic Leadership: Take overall responsibility for the preparation, approval and delivery of the Strategic Land business plan, ensuring alignment with Group strategy and long-term growth objectives. Lead the identification, evaluation and securing of strategic land opportunities through option agreements, promotion agreements, collaboration agreements, joint ventures and other innovative land assembly structures.
- Portfolio Leadership: Take overall responsibility for the Strategic Land portfolio from initial opportunity identification through to land acquisition and ultimate transfer or disposal. Oversee portfolio performance against business plan targets relating to land secured, land transfers, disposals, profitability, return on capital employed and support the delivery of planning consent targets across the portfolio.
- Commercial & Financial Responsibility: Maintain overall responsibility for all land appraisals, development viabilities and investment recommendations. Establish investment parameters, acquisition strategies and viability assumptions across the Strategic Land portfolio.
- Planning & Development Oversight: Provide commercial, land and technical leadership to support the Planning Director and Planning team throughout the planning promotion and consent process.
- Leadership & People Management: Lead, mentor and develop the Associate Land & Development Directors and wider Land & Development teams. Establish a culture of high performance, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Governance & Risk Management: Ensure appropriate governance, reporting and decision-making frameworks operate across the Strategic Land business.
- Stakeholder Management: Act as the senior representative of the Company with landowners, agents, local authorities, government bodies, consultants, infrastructure providers, Homes England, registered providers and industry stakeholders.
- Board Responsibilities: Serve as a member of the Strategic Land Board and leadership team.
Finally, let’s tell you a bit more about us: We build more than homes, we’re making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award-winning employer means we live each day through our ethos - doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. Shaping all we do; they empower us to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership-led way, and you’ll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation, and the functional support of Vistry Services, we’re a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five-star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach.
Join us in making Vistry.
Strategic Land & Development Director employer: Vistry Group PLC
Vistry Group PLC is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture in Milton Keynes that prioritises collaboration and customer satisfaction. Employees benefit from competitive remuneration, flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it a rewarding place to develop your career while contributing to meaningful customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Land & Development Director
✨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 Vistry Group PLC.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Vistry Group PLC? 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 Vistry Group PLC's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Land & Development Director
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 Strategic Land & Development Director role at Vistry Group PLC, 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 Vistry Group PLC
✨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 Vistry Group PLC 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 Vistry Group PLC. 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 Vistry Group PLC.
