Wates Land & Development is seeking a Strategic Land Director to drive strategic its land acquisition activity and secure a high-quality portfolio that underpins long-term growth and profitability.
Are you someone who can identify, shape and secure complex land opportunities that create lasting value?
Reporting to the Operations Director – Land & Residential Investment, you will originate, appraise and secure complex residential land opportunities, often at pre-planning or raw land stage. You will apply expert judgement to balance risk, value and control.
This role plays a critical part in shaping land strategy, deploying capital effectively and ensuring each acquisition supports successful downstream delivery.
As our Land Director, you will:
* Oversee land origination, appraisal and acquisition, securing high-quality sites across a range of complex residential opportunities.
* Structure and negotiate land transactions, including options, promotion and conditional agreements, delivering strong commercial outcomes and long-term value.
* Develop and implement the annual Residential land strategy.
* Provide authoritative advice on land valuation, legal structures and risk, with clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.
* Prepare and present investment papers to Divisional Boards, Group Investment Committee and Group Board.
* Build and support a high-performing Land team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and delivery.
* Represent Wates externally, building trusted relationships with landowners, agents and advisers, and strengthening our reputation as a partner of choice.
About You
This role suits an experienced land professional operating at Director level, with a strong track record of securing complex residential land opportunities beyond traditional housebuilding models.
You will bring:
* Expertise in UK residential land acquisition, including option, promotion and conditional structures.
* Strong commercial and financial judgement, with the ability to appraise land value, assess viability and manage risk at acquisition stage.
* Knowledge of land law and contracting, with confidence managing advisers and contractual considerations.
* The ability to communicate complex investment and risk matters clearly and effectively.
* Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with experience securing favourable outcomes over extended deal cycles.
* Experience guiding and developing professional teams.
Our commitments
Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.
We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at recruitment@wates.co.uk
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