Head of Development

Vistry Group; Brentwood; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vistry Group is seeking a Head of Development to lead their Development team and ensure the successful execution of Special Projects at the Brentwood office. This role demands strong leadership, comprehensive knowledge of legal obligations, and the ability to manage complex development processes. Successful candidates will enjoy a competitive salary, benefits, and the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Competitive basic salary and annual bonus

Company car, car allowance or travel allowance

Up to 39 days annual leave with service

Private medical insurance

Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave

Competitive pension scheme

Employee rewards portal with many benefits

Qualifications

• Demonstrable track record in managing large portfolios of new build projects.
• Detailed knowledge of the development process and planning issues.
• Strong mathematics and IT ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-development programs to ensure projects meet key milestones.
• Handle legal and settlement agreements for development contracts.
• Prepare and submit Life of Site Gateway approvals.

Skills

Negotiation

Legal Compliance

Project Management

Budget Management

Risk Assessment

Leadership

Communication

Education

HNC / NVQ Level 4 or above

Degree in Estate Management or equivalent

Job description

In a Nutshell…

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Development to join our team within Vistry Services Special Projects division, at our Brentwood office. As our Head of Development, you will lead the Development team in delivering the key objectives of Special Projects and support the Managing Director in maintaining key partner relationships for the future of the business.

Overall control of pre-start on site activities including remedial works, JCT's, settlement agreements are negotiated and entered into in line with key milestones and to de-risk the business, ensure the technical team prepares scope of works and liability for concluding negotiations, entering contracts, and/or litigation

Manage and complete the Life Of Site approval and gateway process to ensure correct governance is followed. Report key metrics at the board meetings, prepare responses to key stakeholders such as MHCLG, liaise with Technical to submit data reports.

We value in-person collaboration and team culture, but we're also committed to supporting flexible working where possible. We encourage you to raise any specific requirements during the interview process so we can explore how this could be accommodated.

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 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to up to 39 days with service
• 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
• 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
• HNC / NVQ Level 4 or above
• Demonstrable track record of managing either large portfolio of new build projects, regeneration schemes or remediation works
• A very good understanding of legal obligations
• Detailed knowledge of the development process, building construction, legal and planning issues
• Experience in financial appraisals, cashflows, and viability
• Experience of working with Housing Associations on partnership contracts, JCT's, JV's and frameworks
• Experience in bidding for new business through public procurement or negotiated tender
• Strong mathematics and IT ability
• Ability to assess and analyse information
• In depth understanding of budget management
• Excellent negotiation and networking skills
• A pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Has the ability to identify and manage risk, gathering and considering all the facts, including factors not directly linked to immediate work but which may impact development and wider business
• Ability to follow and lead change management programmes
• Firm commitment to accountability, performance management, target setting and monitoring
• Is a dynamic and inspirational leader, able to articulate a vision that creates excitement, enthusiasm and commitment from others
• Excellent communication skills

Desirable…

• Degree in Estate Management or equivalent
• Professional Registration RICS or equivalent
• Understanding of Joint Venture structures
• Experience of consortium developments
• In-depth knowledge of the planning process and strategic development
• Knowledge of the Building Safety Act
• Understanding of FRAEWs and FRAs for assessing risk and/or liability
• Litigation experience against suppliers or contractors
• Works with teams to identify opportunities to learn, both in day-to-day work and also on formal training courses
• Promotes a no blame culture, learning by any mistakes

More about the Head of Development role…

• Lead the pre-development programme to ensure all projects achieve their key milestones.
• Give advice to ensure all development issues are addressed in outline at the outset prior to conclusion of the contracts in coordination with the Technical team.
• Ensuring the active involvement of the Development Team to facilitate effective handover of projects to Technical and Commercial teams.
• Liaise with Technical on annual insurance renewal and technical tracker.
• Update the records of buildings constructed/developed over the last 30 years.
• Settlement of the programme, monitoring all Developments through a thorough review of development co-ordination checklists on a regular basis. Set realistic programmes to determine construction starts and meeting the key objectives of the joint plan for remediation.
• Management of the relevant Development Budgets and programme information in line with the CVR timetable and Cashflow forecast.
• Liaison with the Legal department / appointed Solicitor as required to ensure all relevant documentation is available at the requisite time including:
  • Remedial Works Contracts
  • Access licenses
  • Settlement Agreements
  • JCT Contracts & Schedule of Amendments
• Oversee development team for managing the contracts once on site via their monthly project meetings, maintaining client relationships during the works.
• Carry out duties in compliance with the company's governance and reporting processes.
• Prepare and submit Life of Site Gateway approvals. Including any necessary archive or legal checks as part of the Triage process for progressing a recovery action.
• To undertake any other duties as deemed necessary from time to time.

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.

#LI-WS1

In Short

• Industry Construction & Property
• Founded 2020
• Location United Kingdom
• Company size 1000 - 4999

About The Company

At Vistry, we build more than homes. We take a partnership-led approach to build sustainable communities where they’re needed most – that’s why we’re the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes. And as a responsible developer, we live each day through our ethos - doing the right thing. We make sure our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality.

We’re proud to have been awarded a 5 Star Rating by the Home Builders Federation because sustainability, social value, quality of life, and making memories mean everything to us; the service we deliver and the homes we build are our defining legacy. Our renowned brands, Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes, make this possible. With Vistry Works (our manufacturing operation supporting our drive towards net zero) and Vistry Services (our support functions) too, we can build something better for everyone and deliver thousands of homes yearly for affordable and private marketplaces.

Our sustainability strategy focuses on climate, resources, and building communities. To be net zero by 2040 we’re improving operational processes and embracing circular economy principles. Our sustainable communities are leaving a legacy of improvement on the areas we create.

From memories and communities to worthwhile careers, we’re making Vistry. Diversity and inclusion are a top priority, so we’re proud to champion family-friendly policies, as well as our various groups, networks and committees that amplify and celebrate all voices.They help build our fair and respectful culture, and because we recognise diversity in every form, we can appreciate the value everyone brings. We’re also recognised for our Gold Award commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, as a Top Employer, in Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and the Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach. It goes without saying that we offer reasonable adjustments during the application process. Let us know how we can support you, and we’ll provide the opportunities you need to shape and develop a diverse career.

Apply today to start making Vistry with us.

Our Story

Vistry Group isthe UK's leading provider of affordable multi-tenure homes. And even though Vistry was only formed at the start of 2020, we have a surprisinglylong and proud history!

Our Unique Culture

At Vistry our purpose as a responsible developer is to work in partnership to deliver sustainable homes, communities and social value, leaving a lasting legacy of places people love. Our culture and values of Integrity, Caring, and Quality shape all we do.

Learning & Development

When it comes to our people, we have a clear and defined approach to helping them thrive. After all, our success relies on our teams, and we can only achieve our goals if we put our people first. Our people strategy focuses on three key aims: attracting, developing, and retaining the people who make us great. This strategy is continuously evolving; we update the Group and all colleagues at every opportunity so we can share what is being achieved by our People Team.

Our mindset and the strategy we’ve created play a vital role in the relationship we have with our teams. It helps us improve leadership, enhance our culture, and promote diversity, equality and inclusion. It also helps us develop our people and encourages us to do all we can to make sure they fulfil their potential.

Behind our goals and desire to drive performance, our people strategy is quite simply the heart of our business. It’s the overwhelming understanding that we all want to do the right thing.

Diversity

Our people prove that there is real strength in diversity. Across Vistry Group, we value different perspectives, experiences, opinions and communication styles. We hear every employee’s voice, and receive regular feedback from our Employee Engagement Survey through which we gain specific insight in response to questions related directly to how our people feel about diversity & inclusion (D&I) at Vistry Group; these suggestions and ideas influence positive change and improvement so that our people and the Group thrive. We work hard to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best work.

Thanks to our D&I strategy, we’re able to continually build a business that accurately reflects our customers, our communities and our clients’ needs.