Land Acquisition Manager

Y. T. REALTY GROUP LIMITED; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job description

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Full Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Bilingual (English & Mandarin) Senior / Land Acquisition Manager to join our London business. As we commence our journey in the UK, the scope is open to really enhance your career development and be part of the business from the start.

About the Role - To be considered for the Senior / Land Acquisition Manager position, you must have an understanding and familiarity with the London residential development land market, especially within West London. You will provide quantitative support to our Land Director and International Investment team to enable investment decisions through accurate land value assessments, policy compliance analysis, and application of technical tools to ensure projects achieve controlled risk and maximized returns in a complex planning and market environment. A strong contact base is essential.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Land Value Assessment and Scenario Testing

• Primarily using the residual method, build sound investment models, explore opportunities, and manage and mitigate risk.
• Dynamically monitor fluctuations in the land market, identify and analyze opportunities in line with our criteria, particularly off-market opportunities. Negotiate with landowners and agents and make well-considered offers accordingly.

Tax and Compliance Optimization

• Experience exploring tax and optimization benefits in a variety of residential-led acquisitions where appropriate.

Planning Feasibility and Risk Control

• Evaluate the potential for planning permission for sites, including potential mixes of uses and massing for new builds and conversions.
• Track policy developments (e.g., the 2025 Future Homes Standard) and anticipate impacts of green building technologies on land values. For example, BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification can increase office rental premiums by 5%-10%.

Risk Identification and Response Strategy

• Identify land-related risks (e.g., contamination, neighborly matters, property rights disputes, sudden policy changes) and quantify risk probability through sensitivity analysis.
• Formulate risk response plans to minimize capital lock-up, exploring forward funding and forward sale options.

Cross-sectoral Collaboration and Resource Integration

• Assess all suitable opportunities, whether with consent, subject to planning, or unconditional acquisitions. Work closely with teams in China to ensure full alignment before making offers and be prepared to make justified recommendations.
• Collaborate with consultants to optimize product positioning and ensure design solutions meet financial feasibility.
• Design financing and capital structures, contacting banks, private equity funds, and government agencies to develop plans and analyze costs and terms of different channels.
• Optimize capital structure (e.g., equity/debt ratio, mezzanine financing) to reduce leverage risk.

Internal and External Resource Integration

• Establish strong relationships with local authorities, land agents, landowners, and other developers to stay informed about market opportunities and trends.
• Identify potential sites for residential development within and outside London.
• Prepare accurate and timely feasibilities for scrutiny.

Project Acquisition

• Identify risks and opportunities from all sources to support competitive and well-researched offers.
• Provide assessments of potential development success, summarizing costs, market research, policy, and legal/technical info.
• Explain the rationale behind costs and assumptions to the China team.
• Understand valuation and disposal of affordable housing and commercial spaces.
• Proven ability to add value, reduce costs, and develop strategies to unlock sites.
• Manage pre-exchange costs and legal processes to ensure timely exchange and contract completion.
• Monitor financial performance and ensure compliance with s106 and CIL obligations.
• Assist in preparing board approval documentation for land purchases.
• Respond promptly and accurately to inquiries.
• Maintain industry knowledge, including competitors' strategies.
• Manage land register and portfolio.

Experience, Qualifications, and Skills

Experience

• Experience in residential-led land acquisitions, particularly in West and South West London.

Qualifications and Training

• Degree in a land or property-related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' relevant developer experience in London with demonstrable success.
• Must be bilingual in English and Mandarin.

Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent management and organizational skills.
• Strong professional network and career development drive.
• Negotiation, persuasion, and communication skills.
• Comfortable working in diverse and challenging environments.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• High judgment, confidentiality, and independence.
• Attention to detail.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Ability to research, interpret, and report information clearly.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Proficient IT skills and adaptability.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Why Join Us?

We are an ethical and progressive employer that encourages openness, creativity, and professional growth, rewarding effectiveness and loyalty as an equal opportunities employer. Join our passionate, collaborative, and innovative team that values your expertise. With exciting growth plans, now is a great time to be part of our history.

If you are proactive and results-driven, ready to advance your career, we want to hear from you!

As a UK start-up, the role is hands-on, diverse, and variable, with responsibilities likely to evolve as the business develops, offering unique experiences for the right candidate. We rely on all individuals to contribute to the UK business's successful growth.

If applying to Y.T. Realty Group, please provide sufficient personal information to process your application. For details on data processing, ask for our privacy notice.

If you enjoy rapid growth and working with enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll thrive here!

Disclaimer: We are not engaging recruitment agencies for this role and will not accept unsolicited approaches. Candidate information sent will be considered a gift, with no liability for fees.