Pre-Contract Development Lead - Affordable Housing

Great Places Housing Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme (DC)

Health care scheme (WPA)

Flexible working

Annual leave 26–30 days

Rewards & recognition

Professional membership fees

Discounts & benefits

Wage access

Wellbeing campaigns

Job summary

Great Places Housing Group seeks a Head of Development (Pre Contract) to lead the Affordable Development programme and pre-contract team. You will drive new business opportunities, manage complex bids, and maintain rigorous governance across budgets and risks.

Reporting to the Director of Growth, you will align strategy with the Group’s Development Plan, oversee funding bids, and foster cross‑functional collaboration with the post-contract team to deliver high-quality schemes.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent or work experience demonstrating leadership ability.
• Minimum 8 years proven experience in a property development role with affordable housing expertise.
• Commitment to providing excellent leadership, line management and mentoring.
• Programme, project, contract and cashflow management expertise.
• Proven relationship builder and influencer with stakeholders. Ability to develop Great Places’ profile with a variety of partners and generate new business.
• Experience of partnership work, collaboration and the successful management of multi-disciplinary Development teams.
• Detailed understanding of financial appraisal assumptions, methodologies and feasibility assessments of development opportunities.
• Ability to manage risk, audit and Homes England requirements.
• Experience of managing financial budgets.
• Detailed knowledge of property development process including land acquisition, design, the construction process and procurement.
• Experience of negotiating complex legal contracts including land and construction.
• Knowledge of operating environment and changing market conditions.
• Ability to produce accurate and concise reports.
• Verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-contract Affordable Development programme and pre-contract team performance.
• Develop funding bids in partnership with senior leadership.
• Provide clear leadership to inspire high performance and cross-organisational collaboration.
• Monitor team capacity, training needs and workloads with delegated accountability.
• Collaborate with the post-contract function to align team plans and learning.
• Drive strategy to generate new business and partnership opportunities.
• Manage stakeholder networks including Local Authorities, Homes England and private sector.
• Oversee feasibility studies, financial appraisals and risk management for schemes.
• Ensure procurement, value for money and social value objectives are met.
• Produce executive-facing reports for Directors, Growth Committee and Board.

Skills

Leadership

Programme management

Cashflow management

Stakeholder management

Housing development

Contract negotiation

Financial appraisal

Risk management

Team management

Reporting

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Job description

Great Places Housing Group seeks a Head of Development (Pre Contract) to lead the Affordable Development programme and pre-contract team. You will drive new business opportunities, manage complex bids, and maintain rigorous governance across budgets and risks.

Reporting to the Director of Growth, you will align strategy with the Group’s Development Plan, oversee funding bids, and foster cross‑functional collaboration with the post-contract team to deliver high-quality schemes.