Strategic Development Manager

Role overview:

Manage the development process for the strategic land portfolio of land into detailed planning and delivery to the regional businesses of Hill Residential Ltd and external parties.

Role Scope:

• Various sized projects based across southern England. Responsibility for securing detailed planning on projects that are promoted to such stages. Reporting to Strategic Land team, and regional productions teams including Contracts Managers, and on occasions Project Managers where required. The reporting of site operational staff shall be in the first instance through the contract managers.
• Responsible for wide range of projects from £10m+
• Management/oversight of large internal and external teams

Key Internal/External Relationships:

• Internal: Directors, Regional Management, Health & Safety, Departments Leads and Project teams.
• External: Housing Associations, Local Authorities, Employers Agents, Bank Monitoring Surveyors, Land Agents, Design Consultants, Supply Chain
• To act as the point of contact for all project team members whether internal or external and to ensure that the acquisition and planning programme is adhered to and all team members are working to the correct scheme information.

Key Results Areas:

1. Delivery

• Establish the key date programme for the whole life of the project
• Manage the planning application and appeal programme and advise on the setting of the construction programmes for multi phased schemes that include the provision of a significant number of private units
• Manage the Technical/ Legal/ Planning constraints associated with land acquisitions post project/land identification.
• Manage the consultant team in relation to planning promotion of projects as required.
• Manage the legal and planning process (and associated fee budget) on schemes moving into the detailed planning stage.
• Manage and assist wider Strategic Land team in land appraisal model and negotiation of land purchase contract / option exercise where applicable
• Manage the preparation of land for sale to third parties
• Manage the handover of the schemes to the delivery team (Launch Meeting) on grant of a detailed planning consent.
• To ensure that the company is represented professionally at any meetings with external stakeholders, planning authorities, land holders or potential clients.
• Ensure that any reports produced internally or by consultants are accurate and clearly present the information required
• Ensure that all reports and appraisals are legible and written in clear understandable English appropriate to the target audience
• Work closely with the pre-construction team during the bidding process to suggest and implement ideas that will add real value

2. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure scheme designs reflect the ambitions of Hill Residential and that affordable housing disposals contain sufficient provisions to ensure the successful long term management of Hill Residential schemes
• Ensure quality and accurate information populates all financial appraisals and check the quality and accuracy of commercial and technical information produced by the project team
• Ensure all appraisals and sensitivity testings highlight the potential risks and opportunities of potential acquisitions and are accurate in regards to the parameters stated
• Process the technical and legal due diligence associated with the land acquisition process
• Regularly update the leads database and contribute to monthly new business meetings

3. Collaboration

• Ensure that the pre-planning consultant team are set clear briefs and deadlines and are aware of their role in the overall programme.
• Work closely with the pre-construction team during the planning process to suggest and implement ideas that will add real value.
• Act as the contact point for all project team members whether internal or external and to ensure that the acquisition and planning programme is adhered to and all team members are working to the correct scheme information.
• Manage the consultant team in relation to planning application submissions for the strategic land project.

4. Financial

• Take responsibility for consultant team fee budgets and key date programmes on schemes pre-planning
• Undertake Market Research (including Commercial and other non-residential uses) and Financial Appraisals in relation to the land acquisition process
• Liaise with the Finance and Strategic Land Director to ensure adequate funding can be secured
• Liaise with and obtain Director level approval to Bid submissions
• Prepare detailed cash flow viabilities based on agreed parameters and update the appraisals at key commitment dates (acquisition/ planning/ handover)
• Manage the disposal of affordable units within Hill Residential schemes to Registered Providers

5. People

• Foster the development of Graduate and Development Surveyor Trainees and act as Supervisor to any Trainees undertaking their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) through the firm
• Ensure that the pre-planning consultant team are set clear briefs and deadlines and are aware of their role in the overall programme
• Undertake business development and client entertainment responsibilities
• Implement and share best practice with colleagues

Success Measures:

• Manage the acquisition and development process for strategic land projects that are acquired or considered by Hill Residential.
• Establish the key date programme for the whole life of the project at the detailed planning stage.
• Manage the planning application and appeal programme and advise on the setting of the construction programmes for multi phased schemes that include the provision of a significant number of private units.
• Ensure scheme designs reflect the ambitions of Hill Residential and that affordable housing disposals contain sufficient provisions to ensure the successful long term management of the scheme.
• Ensure quality and accurate information populates all financial appraisals and check the quality and accuracy of commercial and technical information produced by the project team.
• Ensure all appraisals and sensitivity testings highlight the potential risks and opportunities of potential acquisitions and are accurate in regard to the parameters stated.
• Ensure that the pre-planning consultant team are set clear briefs and deadlines and are aware of their role in the overall programme.
• Work closely with the pre-construction team during the bidding process to suggest and implement ideas that will add real value.
• Act as the contact point for all project team members whether internal or external and to ensure that the acquisition and planning programme is adhered to and all team members are working to the correct scheme information.
• Liaise with the Finance and Strategic Land Director to ensure adequate funding can be secured.
• Take responsibility for consultant team fee budgets and key date programmes on schemes pre-planning.
• Prepare detailed cash flow viabilities based on agreed parameters and update the appraisals at key commitment dates (acquisition/planning/handover)
• Manage the disposal of affordable units within Hill Residential schemes to Registered providers.
• Undertake market research and financial appraisals in relation to the land acquisition process.

Skills, Experience and Attributes:

• Recently qualified Land Management Degree or RPTI Accredited Planning Degree.
• Member of or working towards full membership of the RPTI or RICS.
• Excellent project management development skills are essential with experience in Strategic land projects
• Proven experience in overseeing successful project preplanning and post planning activities up to site commencement and ideally through the delivery and construction of the scheme
• Possessing exemplary commercial acumen with a track record in improving financial return
• Have a proactive and can do attitude, with the ability to lead and drive projects to acquisition/award of contract