Job Description
A well-established Yorkshire division of a major housebuilder is looking for a Senior Development Manager with a strong planning background to lead its planning function. Reporting directly to the Land Director, this is the senior planning hire in the region — responsible for driving planning strategy across a live pipeline of immediate and strategic land, managing a small team of planners, and playing a visible role at board level. This is not a project delivery or build-out role — the emphasis is firmly on planning leadership and land strategy.
THE ROLE — RESPONSIBILITIE
* SLead all planning activity across the Yorkshire region — immediate consents, outline applications, and a long-term strategic land portfoli
* oManage and develop a team of two town planners, setting workload priorities and quality standard
* sOversee the preparation, submission, and negotiation of planning applications, S106 agreements, and pre-application discussion
* sContribute to land acquisition decisions — appraising planning risk, identifying allocation opportunities, and supporting the Land Director in site selectio
* nEngage directly with local planning authorities, consultants, and statutory bodies to progress consent
* sMonitor and influence emerging Local Plans, SPDs, and planning policy changes relevant to the region's land strateg
* yPresent planning appraisals and updates to the regional board — owning the narrative on planning risk and programm
* eWork closely with the technical, land, and commercial teams to align planning programme with build and sales phasin
* gSupport due diligence on potential acquisitions, including assessment of planning history, constraints, and deliverabilit
y
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING F
* ORA Development Manager or Senior Planner with deep, extensive planning expertise — this role is about planning strategy and land, not programme management or construction delive
* rySubstantial planning experience gained on the developer or housebuilder side — candidates from consultancy will not be considered unless they have significant client-side or in-house experien
* ceStrong track record in residential planning, ideally including both outline and detailed applications across mixed site typ
* esExperience working across both immediate and strategic land — understanding the full pipeline lifecyc
* leUsed to presenting to board or senior leadership — comfortable owning the planning narrative in a business context, not just a technical o
* neMRTPI qualified (preferred) or equivalent experien
* ceProven ability to manage and mentor junior planne
* rsStrong negotiation skills — experienced in handling LPA relationships, S106 heads of terms, and appeal manageme
* ntCommercially minded — able to translate planning risk into business language and contribute meaningfully to land appraisa
ls