Development Manager

Job Description

Development Manager – Strategic Land & Disposals.

London.

Cognisant has partnered with a strategic land developer who is looking for a hands-on Development Manager to take sites from acquisition through planning, servicing, and sale. This role combines commercial responsibility with real exposure to large-scale, mixed-use development, from housing and schools to open space and infrastructure.

What you’ll do:

• Lead commercial land sales and disposal strategies across multiple sites
• Manage appraisals, valuations, and negotiations with developers and investors
• Work closely with planning, technical, and infrastructure teams to get sites market-ready
• Oversee contracts, legal agreements, and disposal processes
• Identify value opportunities and risks, contributing to financial appraisals

Who we’re looking for:

• Development, Project or Land Manager with experience in site disposals or commercial transactions
• Technical or development professionals with a strong commercial focus
• Confident managing advisors, legal teams, and developer negotiations
• Experience across residential or mixed-use strategic land

This is not a typical housebuilder role – you’ll have end-to-end responsibility, real commercial influence, and the chance to see your decisions shape communities.

Contact:

Dan Petrie | Principal Consultant, Cognisant

dan.petrie@cognisantsearch.com | 07487 795148

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