Cobalt Recruitment
Land and Planning Director
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Land & Planning Director
Hertfordshire | Competitive Salary + Bonus + Long-Term Incentives
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join an ambitious, privately-owned property business as it launches its own residential development platform, who we are exclusively partnered with.
Having built an established reputation within the construction and delivery sector, the business is now investing in its next phase of growth by acquiring land directly and creating value through the planning process. This is a rare opportunity to become the first senior hire within the new development arm and play a key role in shaping its future.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the owners, you'll lead the land acquisition strategy across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, identifying and securing predominantly 5-50 unit residential opportunities through Option Agreements and Subject to Planning deals.
This is a role focused on quality rather than volume. The expectation is to secure approximately 1-2 high-quality sites each year, carefully selecting opportunities that offer genuine planning uplift and strong commercial returns, rather than chasing acquisition numbers.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
You'll have genuine autonomy to develop relationships, negotiate acquisitions and establish the foundations of a growing development business, supported by an established construction business capable of delivering the schemes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Source on and off-market residential development opportunities.
- Build relationships with landowners, agents, and local industry contacts.
- Negotiate Option Agreements, Subject to Planning agreements, and other acquisition structures.
- Assess planning potential, site constraints, and commercial viability.
- Work with external planning and technical consultants to maximize development value.
- Help shape the long-term land and acquisition strategy for the business.
About You
You'll already have a successful track record acquiring residential development sites and possess an excellent network across your target geography. You'll be commercially minded, entrepreneurial, and motivated by the opportunity to build something from the ground up rather than inherit an established function.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
You may currently work client-side for a housebuilder or SME developer, or perhaps you've built your career within residential land agency and are looking for the opportunity to use your relationships in a highly entrepreneurial client-side role.
Most importantly, you'll be comfortable working autonomously, making commercial decisions, and becoming a trusted adviser to the owners as they build a long-term development platform.
Please get in touch with Cynthia on 07441 345 239 to discuss and understand more about the role. If you do not hear back within two weeks, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful, but we will retain your details on file for future roles.
When applying to any role through Cobalt, your CV will never be shared with a client without your prior consent. Apply in confidence below or get in touch with me for a confidential discussion about the position.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills