Development Manager
Vistry Group
Manage pre-construction, legal, design and planning phases of development projects.
24 days ago ago
Expert & Leadership (13+ years), Experienced (8-12 years)
Full Time
Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom
Office Full-Time
Company Size
4,587 Employees
Service Specialisms
Housebuilding
Property development
Affordable housing partnerships
Mixed tenure homes
Partnership working
Sector Specialisms
Residential
Affordable Housing
Sustainable Home Construction
Community Regeneration
Build-to-Rent Projects
Role
What you would be doing
land appraisal
development budget
risk register
client meetings
consultant management
contract negotiation
- Support the Group Environmental Policy.
- Identify and mitigate against risk and work with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to manage risk prestart on site.
- Ensuring the active involvement of the Development Team to facilitate early Handover of prospective Development sites from the Land / New Business Team to the full Project Team
- Assist the Land / New Business department during the pre-development programme and in certain instances to lead on land acquisition or renegotiation of terms on existing projects. Give advice to ensure all development issues are addressed in outline at the outset prior to conclusion of the purchase process and where appropriate coordination with the Technical team.
- Management of the relevant Development Budgets and programme information in line with the Development Appraisal system at all times.
- When required, organise and lead/ attend client meetings acting in a professional manner to positively represent the company at all times.
- Settlement of the Construction Budget and programme, monitoring all Developments through a thorough review of development co-ordination checklists on a regular basis. Set realistic programmes to determine construction starts, sales opening and selling periods.
- Maintain excellent communication with the project team and internal stakeholders to ensure relevant information is correctly shared and circulated, and all actions are progressed in a timely manner.
- Promote and represent the company when appropriate in order to maximise development opportunities and the reputation of the company.
- Resolve problems in collaboration with the project teams and colleagues and share learning to champion continuous improvement and ensure successful delivery of schemes.
- Carry out Land Appraisals using Group software and ensure accurate ongoing monitoring and updating for budgeting purposes.
- When required, assess new business opportunities, undertake feasibility work, and prepare ‘offer documentation’ as required.
- Prepare and submit a Post Investment Review and Ensure Project Close out Reports are completed and concluded, where appropriate via the Technical Team.
- Drive the progress of each project by active management and mitigate against slippage, to ensure the Development Programme is delivered to set timescales.
- Prepare reports and risk registers to gain internal approvals and ensure audit compliance.
- Procure suitable supporting information e.g. surveys, reports, assessments etc. required to support the planning process and enable sufficient pre delivery planning/design.
- Appoint Solicitors via the framework. Work with land agents and appointed legal advisors to negotiate and agree land contracts, ensuring any development related matters are fully resolved prior to entering contracts.
- Network with new and existing clients to identify opportunities to expand the business.
- Follow the internal development process, ensuring all systems are maintained with accurate information at all times.
- Work with clients and their agents to negotiate and agree the form of building contract (Development Agreement or JCT) in conjunction with the Legal Director and other internal stakeholders as appropriate.
- Appoint and manage consultant teams e.g. architects, engineers, to produce scheme specific information and ensure the timely submission of schemes to the appropriate planning authority and statutory bodies in line with agreed timescales.
- Carry out duties in compliance with the Company’s ISO9001 accreditation.
What you bring
ms office
a-level
construction
project management
excel
teamwork
- Professional manner
- Good geographic knowledge of the area
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and lead the development process
- Experience in a development role within the Construction, Property Development or Housing Industry
- Experience of all stages of development including legal, design, planning related activities, and health and safety
- Highly literate and able to understand and interpret complex legal documentation
- Able to work under own initiative, having good decision-making skills and a keen sense of responsibility
- Ability to communicate well with individuals at all levels
- Highly numerate with the ability to undertake feasibility appraisals
- Able to travel on a regular basis throughout the area, with access to a vehicle on a daily basis
- Strong time management skills with an ability to prioritise
- Willing to work extra to meet deadlines as and when the business needs require it
- As a minimum, educated to A level standard or equivalent, or ability to demonstrate relevant experience in a similar position
- Proficient in MS Office programmes; particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook
- Organised and methodical, with good attention to detail
- Able to work as part of a team as well as autonomously
- Employee rewards portal with many more benefits...
- Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
- Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
- Freehold Transfer Contracts
- Share save and share incentive schemes
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
- Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
- Conveyance Plans
- Up to 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to up to 39 days with service
- Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
- 2 Volunteering days per annum
- Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
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Interview process
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Visa SponsorshipInformation not given or found
Security clearanceInformation not given or found
Company
Overview
£3.78 bn
Revenue in 2024
Reported revenue as part of the FTSE 250, reflecting the company's strong financial performance.
17,500 homes
Annual homes built
Constructs approximately 17,500 new homes annually across the UK, with significant focus on affordability.
- Launched following the merger of Bovis Homes and Galliford Try’s housing arm in January 2020.
- Operates three retail brands—Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, Countryside Homes—and a B2B Partnerships arm.
- Known for timber-frame manufacturing via Vistry Works, boosting quality, speed, and carbon performance.
- Typical projects include mixed-tenure neighbourhoods with schools, parks, orchards, and community facilities.
- Completed major schemes like Meridian Water regeneration and Countryside Partnerships integration in 2022.
- Do the right thing – our ethos applied across all operations
- Integrity, Caring and Quality – our values, striving for sustainable improvement
- Building Better Together – our One Vistry culture, embedding purpose and values
- A culture where you can build something brilliant, with progression for everyone and proactive improvement
- Trust and celebration of teams, creating an environment where everyone can bring their true selves and face challenges together
- Focus on rewards, career progression and personal fulfilment as recognition for a job well done
42% Emissions Reduction
Scope 1 & 2 Emissions Cut
Achieved a 42% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, using a 2022 baseline.
51.6% Reduction
Scope 3 Emissions per m²
Reduced Scope 3 emissions intensity by 51.6% per m² of completed housing by 2030, using a 2022 baseline.
97% Waste Diversion
Construction Waste Recycling
97% of non-hazardous construction waste was diverted from landfill in 2023, with 6.34 tonnes per 100 m².
5.3% Emissions Drop
Scope 1 & 2 Progress
Reduced absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 5.3% between 2021 and 2023, though with an 8.8% rebound in 2023.
- Modern timber-framed offsite construction to reduce GHG, costs and environmental impact
- Carbon Action Plan updated post-merger; full transition plan due September 2024
- Low-carbon heating systems (e.g., air source heat pumps) installed across multiple developments
- 185 zero-carbon ready homes at Tolgus and 54 AECB Passivhaus-lite homes at North Whiteley handed over; 310 net-zero-carbon (regulated energy) homes at Kenilworth
August 2024
Joined Stonewall’s Diversity Champions
The company became a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, demonstrating commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality.
Gold Award
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Recognized for active support of the Armed Forces community, achieving the highest accolade in 2019.
November 2023
Partnered with Black Professionals In Construction
Collaboration aimed at enhancing ethnic minority representation and career development in construction.
Over 100
Trained mental health first-aiders
Committed to mental health awareness with over 100 employees trained to provide initial support.
- Employee Engagement Survey gathers feedback on D&I, informing positive change
- Four employee networks: Women’s Network; REACH (Race, Ethnicity And Cultural Heritage); Pride; Accessibility Allies
- Reverse‑mentoring programme connecting senior leaders with minority‑group colleagues
- All employees complete ‘Diversity and Inclusion Essentials’ e‑learning via Vistry Learn
- Signatory of Armed Forces Covenant and Social Mobility Pledge; BuildForce & Salute My Job partnerships
- ‘Time to Talk’ sessions supporting mental‑health dialogue
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