Are you a strategic planning leader with the vision to unlock large‑scale development opportunities and shape the future of communities?
At Wates, our purpose is simple: reimagining places for people to thrive. We’re looking for a Regional Land & Planning Director to lead a portfolio of residential and commercial land projects, driving planning success, value creation, and long‑term business growth across our Land & Development business.
About The Role
Reporting to the Operations Director – Portfolio & Wates Commercial & Logistics, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable growth through the successful promotion, allocation, and planning consent of strategically important land assets. You’ll lead a portfolio ensuring projects progress efficiently whilst maximising value and managing risk.
As a Regional Land & Planning Director You Will
- Develop and deliver regional portfolio strategies to secure planning allocations and consents for residential and commercial developments.
- Lead a significant portfolio of projects, balancing priorities, risk, resources, programme delivery and commercial outcomes.
- Maximise land and portfolio value through strategic planning, appraisals, negotiations and value‑enhancing opportunities.
- Guide and develop a high‑performing team while managing a wide network of external consultants and specialist advisors.
- Build relationships with local authorities, political stakeholders, statutory consultees, landowners and development partners to secure favourable planning outcomes.
- Provide strategic insight and reporting to the Land & Development Leadership Team on portfolio performance, risks, opportunities and future pipeline activity.
- Lead the preparation, submission and progression of complex planning applications from inception through to consent.
What We Are Looking For
You’ll be an experienced planning and development professional with a proven track record of securing complex planning consents and delivering successful outcomes across large and varied land portfolios.
You’ll Bring
- Strong strategic and commercial thinking with the ability to maximise value across a development portfolio.
- Extensive knowledge of the UK planning system and the delivery of complex planning consents.
- Experience reviewing and negotiating land agreements, development contracts and planning obligations.
- Advanced understanding of site deliverability, including planning, infrastructure, environmental and technical constraints.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with confidence influencing at senior levels both internally and externally.
- A proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple projects and make sound decisions in complex environments.
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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