Job Title: Head of Strategic Land
Location: Towcester
Salary £60,000 – £70,000 + Bonus
Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-established, multi-disciplinary property and land consultancy in the search for a Head of Strategic Land to join their Towcester office.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for a commercially astute Chartered Surveyor to take ownership of, grow, and lead a Strategic Land offering across Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties.
The Opportunity
You will act as the internal figurehead for Strategic Land, providing technical expertise, market insight, and commercial leadership. Working alongside planners, architects, surveyors, and development specialists, you will deliver coordinated, high-quality advice to landowners and developers.
This role offers genuine autonomy and the chance to build and shape a regional strategic land portfolio, while being part of a collaborative and supportive wider business.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
1. Lead the identification, appraisal and securing of strategic land opportunities (promotion agreements, option agreements, joint ventures, freehold acquisitions/disposals).
2. Undertake development appraisals, land valuations, and high-level viability assessments.
3. Advise landowners from site appraisal through promotion, planning and disposal.
4. Maintain strong knowledge of local plans, call-for-sites, housing land supply and planning policy.
5. Mentor and support junior team members.
Strategic Growth
6. Drive business development across Northamptonshire and neighbouring counties.
7. Build and maintain networks with landowners, developers, promoters, housebuilders and local authorities.
8. Develop and sustain your own client portfolio and pipeline of instructions.
9. Review and strengthen the existing strategic land portfolio, implementing growth and diversification plans.
10. Represent the business at regional industry events and maintain strong market presence.
About You
11. RICS-qualified (Rural, Planning & Development, or Commercial pathway preferred).
12. Strong track record advising landowners on strategic land matters.
13. Excellent skills in development appraisal, land valuation and planning-led strategy.
14. Commercially driven with experience growing teams and winning work.
15. Confident networker with strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
16. Strategic thinker with resilience and adaptability.
17. Full UK driving licence essential.
What’s on Offer
18. Competitive salary reflective of experience
19. Discretionary bonus potential
20. 35 days holiday including bank holidays, plus birthday leave
21. Additional long-service leave
22. Private healthcare
23. Enhanced pension scheme (NEST)
24. Agile working (office and remote blend)
25. Professional membership fees and CPD support
26. Electric Vehicle and Cycle to Work salary sacrifice schemes
27. Employee Assistance Programme and health plan