Development Manager

Magna Housing Limited; Dorchester; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing association operating in Dorchester is seeking a Development Manager. This role involves managing housing projects, negotiating contracts, and expanding the property pipeline. Candidates should have substantial experience in land development and excellent negotiation skills. This permanent position offers a hybrid work arrangement with various benefits including competitive sick pay and pension contributions.

Benefits

Company sick pay

Pension matched up to 8%

Learning and Development

Paid volunteer day

Health Care Cash Plan

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in land and property development with a deep understanding of regulations.
• Proven ability to lead teams and negotiate contracts.
• Experience with local authorities and statutory authorities.

Responsibilities

• Expand the land and property pipeline and negotiate agreements.
• Take ownership of Magna’s development pipeline for growth targets.
• Lead on planning applications process and oversee negotiations.

Skills

Land and property development

Negotiation skills

Team leadership

Development planning

Property law knowledge

Education

Degree level education or equivalent

Job description

Development Manager – Magna Housing Limited • Dorchester, England, UK

Role Overview

64678 per annum plus additional benefits. 37 hours per week (Mon-Fri). Home-based with occasional travel. Permanent role. Closing date for applications: 5th December 2025 (Midday).

At Magna our vision is to create great homes together. We have ambitious plans and are seeking creative aspirational and talented people to join our fast paced adaptable and highly collaborative environment.

As a Development Manager for Magna Housing you will leverage your experience in residential and affordable housing to manage complex projects efficiently. Your track record in land acquisition and new business, strong networking skills and industry connections support relationship building with key stakeholders. Effective communication enables you to engage communities while your focus on best practices promotes quality, inclusivity and innovation. You will drive positive change, solve problems, negotiate equitable outcomes and shape future housing backed by an inspirational Leadership team, Executive team and progressive Board.

Responsibilities

• Expand the land and property pipeline, negotiate agreements and finalise contracts to ensure a seamless handover to the Delivery Team.
• Take ownership of Magna’s development pipeline to achieve growth targets, sourcing sites independently and ensuring accurate, up-to-date growth data reporting.
• Manage new opportunities through the internal approvals process, presenting robust and diligent business cases for approvals at all levels, covering for the Head of Growth when required.
• Lead on the planning applications process through to consent and oversee negotiations of contracts for the development and purchase of land and properties.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Extensive experience in land and property development, with a deep understanding of land and planning regulations and complex mixed‑tenure regenerations (experience with joint venture and partnership models is advantageous).
• Excellent working knowledge of development planning, design and construction processes, and the ability to conduct feasibility studies, options appraisals and financial appraisals while managing budgets.
• Proven ability to lead teams, promote a unified approach for new business projects, and negotiate and coordinate land and construction contracts to achieve successful outcomes.
• Experience of partnership working with local authorities, developers, community representatives and statutory authorities; knowledge of preparing grant applications, formulating and presenting business cases, and drafting policies is advantageous.
• Degree level education or equivalent qualification, with a minimum of 3 years working experience in residential development. Professional qualification such as RICS is advantageous.
• Applicants with transferable qualities are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Company sick pay.
• Pension matched up to 8 %.
• Learning and Development.
• Mileage and Agile working.
• Paid day a year to volunteer.
• Wellbeing Portal and Colleague Voice.
• Rental / Stamp Duty Loan and Credit Union.
• Employee assistance & Health Care Cash Plan.
• Discounts on entertainment, high street shops and grocery shopping.
• Competitive annual leave entitlement which increases progressively with the duration of your service over the first five years.

Our full range of benefit details can be viewed on our website under each vacancy.

How to Apply

To apply please visit our website, select the Careers tab / Current Vacancies / Role or follow the link attached to this advert.

Magna reserves the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. We therefore highly recommend that you submit your application early.

For an informal discussion about this post please contact: Dani Davies Talent Acquisition Manager.

About Magna

Magna Housing is a customer‑centred housing association primarily operating in Dorset and Somerset, with its head office in Dorchester. We aim to constantly add value to the lives of our customers and colleagues, delivering on our vision of creating great homes together, and driving innovation and inclusive practices across our organization.