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Pre-Development Manager

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Overview of Business
We are partnered with a leading 5* PLC housebuilder to appoint a Pre-Development Manager in North Scotland. This is a key role within the development function, supporting the progression of residential sites from land acquisition through planning, technical approvals and ultimately to construction start.
Job description
Reporting into the Development Director, you will take ownership of projects from the point a site is secured by the Land team through the pre-development process. You will ensure schemes progress efficiently through planning, design, approvals and associated technical workstreams, coordinating internal stakeholders and external consultants to achieve programme objectives. While planning experience is important, this is a project-led role requiring someone who can manage multiple workstreams, identify risks and keep developments moving towards site commencement.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage residential developments from secured site through planning, approvals and readiness for construction.
- Coordinate external consultants, including planning, technical, design and other specialist advisers.
- Drive project programmes, ensuring key actions, approvals and deliverables are completed on time.
- Work closely with Land, Technical, Commercial, Construction, Sales and other internal teams.
- Monitor project risks, dependencies and constraints, taking ownership of solutions to keep schemes progressing.
- Support planning strategy and oversee the progression of planning applications and associated approvals.
- Coordinate the information required to move sites from pre-development into delivery.
- Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders throughout the development lifecycle.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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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.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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.
Essential experience
- Previous experience in a Pre-Development Manager, Planning Manager, Development Manager or similar role.
- Strong planning experience within a residential development environment.
- Demonstrable project-management experience, ideally taking sites from acquisition through to construction commencement.
- Experience managing external consultants and coordinating several internal functions.
- Strong understanding of the residential development lifecycle, planning process and key pre-construction activities.
- Organised, commercially aware and confident managing multiple competing priorities.


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Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Car allowance/ Company Car
- Bonus Scheme
- Pension
- Health Care
- Variety of additional benefits
Don't meet all of the above requirements? Harken Search are committed to championing inclusive and diverse recruitment, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Why us?
As well as championing inclusive and diverse recruitment we also give a minimum of 10% profits to our partner charities. We thank both our candidates and clients for supporting us to make a difference to those impacted by these charities.
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