Land Manager

The Company:
One of the UK’s leading housing associations – a member of the G15 group, with over 21,000 homes in London and the South East is seeking a strong Land Manager to join their Land and Planning team in London. 

This Housing Association has a mission to be expert developers and managers of mixed used developments which now includes private sale housing. The development programme will be circa 1,000 homes/year to 2020.

The Role:

• Source and acquire opportunities in accordance with the Land Acquisition Strategy. 
• Make recommendations to the Head of Land and Planning based on an initial site appraisal through identifying risks and constraints, relevant planning policy/considerations and use this information to brief and instruct architects to prepare feasibility drawings.
• Undertake initial Market Research through obtaining information on housing needs, selling prices for new and second hand shared ownership and outright sale properties. Obtaining relevant data on demographics, employment, education communication and recreation specific to sites being considered for purchase.
• To instruct internal and/or external teams to undertake detailed Market Research Reports providing a full information brief on the site under investigation.
• To coordinate the gathering of relevant technical, planning and construction information for bidding.
• Assess potential mixed tenure /mixed use purchases for financial viability using PAMWIN and /or other Feasibility software packages, and to assess schemes against Organisation’s financial parameters.
• Ensure that bids made are competitive, with all risks assessed and on terms acceptable to the company and ensure that approval is gained from the Head of Land and Planning prior to submission of the offer.
• Prepare reports in order to obtain the necessary approvals from Senior Managers, Directors, the Project Review Panel, the Risks and Opportunity Executive Board and Board.
• Undertake full due diligence by coordinating the Development Team, its consultants and solicitors and create a land acquisition and audit document.
• Create the project critical path programme identifying anticipated project key milestone dates.
• To understand risks and their impact on the company and to exercise sound judgement in matters where the company may be exposed to risk.
• To have local knowledge of the areas of operation and a good network of contacts of agents land dealers and maintain good relationships with local authorities.
• To understand market trends and keep abreast of competitor activity within the area of operation.
• Works as a key member of the team with an understanding of the wider impact of the work on other Departments. 
• Interacts with most levels within organisation. 
• Plays a role in external liaison, on own or wider area, ensuring that the company’s reputation is maintained. 
• To work closely with and instruct other professionals such as architects, engineers, solicitors and consultants on sites to be investigated.

Ideal Attributes:

• A significant personal track record of successfully sourcing and purchasing land development opportunities in London and experience of the social housing development process including land assembly, mixed tenure, housing for sale.
• Experience in an agency team and / or experience with another property developer/HAs 
• Experience of the planning system including outright sale as well as affordable housing and Section 106. 
• Excellent negotiation skills to purchase land (including a build element for package deals).
• An ability to assess detailed financial information accurately, to test options and to assess and manage risk. Must be numerate with a thorough grounding in development feasibility software for mixed tenure including optimising returns on sale dwellings and an understanding of the HCA’s funding systems.
• Pro-active, professional and able to demonstrate full commitment to exceptional customer care and service in all activities.
• Knowledge and experience of negotiating site purchases and acquiring sites. Including the legal process of acquisition.
• Experience of negotiating ‘package deals’ involving land and works contracts.
• Effective user of financial information with commercial awareness. 
• Good analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to identify and assess risk.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build good working relationships with a wide range of people internally and externally.

The Package:
You will receive a highly competitive salary, bonuses and excellent benefits

Contact:

Lucie Cox, on Lucie@kdhassociates.co.uk

KDH Associates was established to deliver a bespoke and personal service to both candidates and businesses in the property industry. Please be assured that we will deal with any enquiries in the strictest of confidence and provide a very supportive and personal service to each and every candidate.