Development Officer (South West)

Abri Group; Yeovil; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A housing development organization is seeking a Development Officer for their Land and Planning Team. This position is flexible with at least two days per week required at the Yeovil office. The role involves supporting senior management in securing new housing initiatives and engaging with stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have a keen eye for detail, strong communication skills, and either a relevant construction qualification or a willingness to undertake further education. This position not only contributes to the housing crisis response but also promotes personal career development.

Qualifications

• Keen eye for detail and strong commercial awareness.
• Willingness to complete construction-related studies.
• Strong customer focus and effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Senior Land Manager in securing new homes.
• Work with Local Authorities and Developers on projects.
• Assist in negotiating land and build contracts.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Commercial awareness

Initiative

Target achievement

Budget management

Customer focus

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Resourcefulness

Resilience

Determination

Education

Construction related qualification (RICS/CIH)

Job description

We’re delighted to be recruiting for a Development Officer in our Land and Planning Team team!

You will be covering the South West - Greater Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. The job is flexible working, but based at least two days per week in our Yeovil Office.

Here at Abri, we’re determined to do our part in tackling the housing crisis and we have just launched an ambitious new 2026 – 31 corporate strategy setting out our vision to provide the very best homes and becoming a sector leader to step up to the challenge set by the government to deliver more homes. Building a minimum of 1,000 homes a year, rising the number each year, with the aim of doubling the new homes as quickly as conditions allow.

This is a career development role, you will either have recently completed a construction related qualification ie RICS/CIH or you will be willing to complete a construction related apprenticeship eg RICS and have a willingness to complete studies in your own time in addition to the 1 day per week study time allowed.

You will play a key role in supporting the Senior Land Manager and Land Manager in securing new homes, and working with key stakeholders such as Local Authorities, Developers etc. You will appraise new schemes, set up and attend internal and external project meetings and assist with due diligence and negotiating land and build contracts to support successful delivery. You will also work to create a personal development plan that ensures you quickly add value to the team while gaining experience.

To succeed in this role you will need:

• A keen eye for detail and strong commercial awareness.
• Take the initiative and identify opportunities to maximise value and ensure viability
• Able to achieve and exceed targets
• Ensure the highest standards are met
• Ability to manage budgets
• A strong customer focus.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills.
• An organised and methodical approach to managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Resourcefulness, resilience and determination.

For more information, please tale a look at the job description below.