Development Surveyor - up to Principal level

Cobalt Recruitment; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading property consultancy is hiring for a development consultancy role in Leeds. This position offers exposure to both public and private sector clients, focusing on regeneration projects. Ideal candidates will have MRICS or be pursuing RICS accreditation, with strong technical skills in Argus and Excel. You will be involved in all stages of project development, from feasibility to delivery, in a fast-paced and supportive environment. Benefit from career progression and hands-on guidance from experienced Directors.

Qualifications

• Experience in development or regeneration within private practice, client-side or local authority.
• Ability to prepare business cases, fee proposals, and tenders.
• Confident communicator with structured writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Work on development consultancy mandates across sectors.
• Support all stages of the development lifecycle.
• Run development appraisals and financial modelling.
• Liaise regularly with clients, planners, and architects.

Skills

Development consultancy experience

Strong technical capability

Confident communication skills

Knowledge of Argus and Excel

Education

MRICS qualification or APC pathway

Job description

We are partnered with a successful property consultancy to appoint into their Development Consultancy team, following a sustained increase in workload across their regional offices in the North - across Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle. This is a high-performing, fast-paced environment where ambitious Surveyors thrive, and where you’ll gain exposure to a broad mix of public and private sector clients.

The firm has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality advice across viability, S106 / CIL, feasibility, development agency and residential valuation work, with an impressive track record of helping clients navigate complex regeneration and development challenges.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a medium-sized, collaborative team working on varied and challenging projects. You’ll benefit from close access to supportive colleagues and hands‑on Directors who are involved throughout project cycles. The culture is friendly, entrepreneurial and committed to developing people into well‑rounded property professionals with strong market reputations.

Given current demand, the team is open on level and can accommodate one or two hires between 18 months and c.8 years’ experience—from those on their journey towards APC through to recently qualified or established MRICS Surveyors.

Your responsibilities will include :

• Working on development consultancy mandates across public and private sectors
• Public sector procurement, compulsory purchase and land assembly advice for town centre and estate regeneration projects
• Supporting work across all stages of the development lifecycle—from strategy and masterplanning to feasibility, funding and delivery
• Running development appraisals and financial modelling
• Providing valuation input where required
• Preparing business cases, fee proposals and tenders
• Assisting with transactions and development agency work
• Regular liaison with clients, planners, architects and wider consultants

Ideally you will :

• Have experience in development, regeneration or consultancy—within a private practice, client-side role or local authority
• Be MRICS, on your APC pathway, or planning to pursue RICS accreditation
• Bring strong technical capability, including good working knowledge of Argus and Excel
• Possess a solid understanding of the wider property and planning landscape
• Be a confident communicator with clear, well-structured writing skills

This is a brilliant career move if you want to accelerate your progression, gain meaningful client exposure, and work across a diverse and high-value project pipeline. The team is looking to appoint as soon as they meet the right person—so if you’re unsure on fit, please do get in touch for a confidential chat. We also have similar roles with other clients that may be of interest.

Please get in touch with me (Kate) on 0207 478 2523 to discuss and understand more about the role. If you do not hear back within two weeks, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful, but we will retain your details on file for future roles.

If you do not hear anything back within one week, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion, but I will retain your details for future roles.

When applying to any role through Cobalt, your CV will never be shared with a client without your prior consent. Apply in confidence below or get in touch with me for a confidential discussion about the position via [e-mail].