A leading national housebuilder is looking for an Associate Land Director to join their Yorkshire operation at a pivotal time. The business is in active acquisition mode, with ambitious growth targets and the pipeline to match. This isn't a holding role — it's a mandate to buy land.
The Land Director needs a strong, credible number two. Someone who can run the land team day-to-day, lead on appraisals and negotiations, and step into the Land Director's shoes during periods of absence without missing a beat. For the right person, this is a clear succession pathway to Land Director.
This will suit one of two profiles:
The ambitious Senior Land Manager — you've outgrown your current role, you're already operating above your job title, and you want a platform where your deal-making ability and leadership are properly recognised and rewarded.
The experienced Land Director looking to get back to the deals — you've done the board packs, the strategy presentations, the internal politics. You want to get back to what you're best at: appraising sites, building landowner relationships, and getting land bought. You want a senior role with real influence but without the full weight of a director title on your shoulders.
What You'll Be Doing
* Leading land appraisals from initial site identification through to board approval, including detailed financial modelling and risk assessment
* Sourcing and securing land through off-market channels, direct landowner approaches, agent relationships, and proactive site finding across Yorkshire and the surrounding region
* Structuring and negotiating conditional contracts, option agreements, joint venture partnerships, and promotion agreements
* Managing liability schedules and land expenditure budgets, ensuring the pipeline is commercially robust and delivery-ready
* Leading and developing a land team — mentoring junior land staff, setting targets, reviewing work, and building capability across the function
* Deputising for the Land Director across all internal and external commitments, including land board presentations, strategic planning, and senior stakeholder engagement
* Building and maintaining relationships with landowners, agents, planning consultancies, and local authorities to maintain a strong flow of opportunities
* Working closely with planning, technical, and commercial teams to ensure acquired sites are deliverable and margin-accretive
What We're Looking For
* Significant experience in a Senior Land Manager or Land Director role within a regional or national housebuilder
* A demonstrable track record of acquiring residential development land — ideally a mix of strategic and immediate sites
* Strong financial appraisal skills with a commercial mindset and sound judgement on risk
* Direct experience of structuring joint ventures, option agreements, and off-market acquisitions
* Proven ability to manage, lead, and develop a land team
* Confidence engaging with senior leadership, land agents, and external partners at a strategic level
* Deep knowledge of the Yorkshire and wider Northern market, including local planning dynamics, land values, and key agency and landowner networks
* Someone who operates with pace, takes ownership, and can be trusted to make decisions