Land Acquisition Manager

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in London is seeking a Bilingual Senior Land Acquisition Manager to enhance their business. The role involves land value assessment, risk control, and collaboration with teams in China. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in residential-led acquisitions, particularly in London, and must be bilingual in English and Mandarin.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years relevant developer experience in London with demonstrable success stories.
• Must be bilingual in English and Mandarin.

Responsibilities

• Provide quantitative support for land value assessment and policy compliance analysis.
• Identify and analyze opportunities in the land market, particularly off-market.
• Negotiate with landowners and agents to make well-considered offers.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Degree in a land or property related discipline

Job description

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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 as the Senior / Land Acquisition Manager, you must have an understanding and familiarity with the London residential development land market, especially within West London. You will be providing quantitative support to our Land Director and International Investment team so investment decisions can be made through accurate land value assessment, policy compliance analysis and application of technical tools to ensure that projects achieve controlled risk and maximised returns in a complex planning and market environment. A strong contact base is essential.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

I. Land Value Assessment and scenario testing

• Primarily using the residual method built sound investment models, exploring opportunities and manging and mitigating risk.
• Dynamically monitor the fluctuation of the land market, identify and analyse opportunities in line with our criteria, particularly off market opportunities. Negotiate with the land owner and agent and make well considered offers accordingly.

Tax and Compliance Optimisation

• Experience of a variety of residential led acquisitions exploring tax and optimisation benefits when and where appropriate.

II. Planning Feasibility and Risk Control

Policy Compliance Analysis

• Evaluate the potential for planning permission for the site, including the potential mix of uses and massing for new build and conversions.
• Track policy developments (e.g. the 2025 Future Homes Standard and anticipate the impact of green building technologies (e.g. photovoltaic integration, heat pump systems) 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 neighbourly matters, property rights disputes, sudden policy changes) and quantify the risk probability through sensitivity analysis.
• Formulate risk response plans to minimise capital lock up exploring forward funding and forward sale options.

III. Cross-sectoral collaboration and resource integration

Front-end investment decision support

• Assess all types of suitable opportunities whether that be with consent, subject to planning or unconditional acquisitions. Work closely with teams in China to ensure full alignment before offers are made and be prepared to make justified recommendations.
• Collaborate with full consultant teams to optimise product positioning and ensure that design solutions meet financial feasibility.
• Financing and capital structure design
• Contact banks, private equity funds and government agencies to develop financing plans and analyse the costs and terms of different financing channels.
• Optimise the capital structure (e.g. equity/debt ratio, mezzanine financing) to reduce leverage risk.

Internal and external resource integration

• Establish market-leading relationships with local authorities, land agents, landowners and other developers in the geographical area to ensure timely understanding of current and future market opportunities and trends.
• Identify potential sites for residential development within and outside London.
• Prepare accurate and timely feasibilities ready for scrutiny.

IV. Project Acquisition

• Identify all risks and opportunities from all appropriate sources and accurately interpret these to assist in the submission of competitive and well researched offers.
• Provide a clear assessment of the potential success of the development by summarising construction costs, market research, local planning policy and all legal/technical information.
• Explain to the China team the logic and rationale for costs and assumptions used in appraisals/cashflows.
• Good understanding of the valuation and disposal of affordable housing and commercial space.
• Proven ability to add value, reduce costs and develop strategies to unlock sites.
• Budget for pre-exchange costs and effectively manage consultancy costs, particularly pre-exchange costs.
• Once an offer has been approved, assist with the legal process to ensure on-time exchange and contract completion.
• Help monitor the financial performance of the scheme at all stages of development. Check s106 and CIL obligations are adhered to.
• Help prepare main board approval documentation to gain approval for the purchase of land by the group.
• Respond to all enquiries quickly, accurately and conscientiously.
• Build and grow your knowledge of all industry risks and opportunities, including a thorough understanding of our competitors and their strategies.
• Maintain and manage the land register/land portfolio.

Experience, qualifications and skills

Experience

• Experience of 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 stories
• Must be bilingual in English and Mandarin.

Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent management and organisational skills.
• Strong sense of building your career and professional network.
• Strong negotiation, persuasion and communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a diverse and challenging environment.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrates a high degree of judgement, confidentiality and independent working.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Problem solving skills and ability to resolve issues effectively.
• Ability to research and interpret information effectively and report findings in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient IT skills and ability to adapt to new systems.