Head of Development

Vistry Group; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading property developer as the Head of Development in East Midlands. You will oversee an established team focusing on key aspects of development management, ensuring sustainable community growth and compliance with legal standards. Benefit from a competitive salary, flexible working options, and numerous perks that recognize your contribution to the company's vision.

Benefits

Competitive basic salary

Annual bonus

Company car or travel allowance

Up to 39 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Competitive pension scheme

Life assurance

Employee rewards portal

Qualifications

• Relevant educational background (HNC/NVQ Level 4 minimum).
• Experience in financial appraisals and managing development processes.
• Understanding of planning and legal obligations in construction.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development team and oversee planning processes.
• Manage town planning and financial appraisals.
• Ensure compliance with development contracts and deadlines.

Skills

Strong mathematic ability

Excellent communication skills

Excellent negotiation skills

Problem-solving

Ability to influence others

Education

Relevant HNC/NVQ Level 4 or above

Relevant Degree or equivalent

Job description

In a Nutshell…

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Development to join our team within Vistry South East Midlands, at our Leicester office. As our Head of Development, you will lead our established development team, overseeing town planning, estimating and development management up to site commencement.

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
• Relevant HNC / NVQ Level 4 or above
• A good understanding of legal obligations
• Detailed knowledge of the development process, building construction, legal and planning issues
• Experience in financial appraisals
• Experience of working with Registered Providers and PRS Operators on partnership contracts to deliver S106 and additionality
• Strong mathematic 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
• Able to get buy-in from other departments
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to work with a high degree of accuracy
• A methodical approach to working practices
• Decision maker with pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Able to influence and persuade others
• Discretion and integrity in attitude and approach
• A self-starter capable of creating and maintaining momentum on projects
• The ability to lead, support and develop staff and maintaining excellent services during periods of change
• Facilitates the resolution of conflict between people so that an appropriate way forward is identified
• The ability to promote a culture of innovation, joint working, employee involvement and positive problem solving across the department and regional business
• Willing to work extra to meet deadlines as and when the business needs require it

Desirable…

• Relevant Degree 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
• Experience of all stages of development including legal, design, planning related activities, and health and safety
• 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…

• Ensuring compliance with Vistry's Life of Site processes and forecasted development timetables up to site commencement stage.
• Assist the Land team with town planning advice and financial appraisals during bid and contract negotiation stages.
• Provide advice to ensure all development matters are addressed prior to conclusion of the land purchase process and where appropriate coordination with the Technical team.
• Ensuring compliance with land contracts and managing 'Subject to Planning' contracts post exchange through to legal completion.
• Ensuring the active involvement of the Development team to facilitate early handover of prospective development sites to the Technical, Commercial and Build teams.
• Responsibility for estimating functions and all financial appraisals up to handover to the Commercial team.
• Management of building contracts from invitation to tender stage through contract negotiations to site commencement.
• Responsibility for town planning functions and all planning applications up to Full or Reserved Matters approval stage and handover to Technical team.
• Working with colleagues and partners to ensure that appropriate and viable developments are achieved and with delivery at the earliest opportunity.
• To undertake commercial and planning appraisals for these sites making recommendations to the board for investment.
• Network with new and existing clients to identify opportunities to expand the business.
• Comply with all Groups policies including Health, Safety and Environmental policies.

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.

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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.