Head of Land & Planning.
Residential Development.
West Yorkshire.
I’m working with a well-established, cash-secure residential developer to appoint a Head of Land & Planning to lead and shape the business’s land acquisition and planning strategy across Yorkshire and Lancashire.
This is a senior, business-critical appointment offering full ownership of the land and planning function within a growing residential platform. The successful individual will play a central role in identifying, securing, and promoting residential development opportunities, ensuring a robust and deliverable pipeline aligned with the company’s long-term growth strategy.
The role carries significant autonomy and influence, working closely with the senior leadership team to guide strategic decisions from early land identification through planning, acquisition, and delivery. Based in Yorkshire, the position involves regular travel across Yorkshire and Lancashire, overseeing a strategically important and expanding portfolio of sites.
Reporting directly into senior leadership, the Head of Land & Planning will take responsibility for the overall land and planning strategy, providing leadership, commercial insight, and technical expertise across the business.
This is a hands-on senior role, combining strategic oversight with active involvement in key sites and negotiations. You will act as the primary interface with landowners, agents, local authorities, and consultants, while working collaboratively with internal commercial, technical, and delivery teams to ensure sites are brought forward efficiently and viably.
Key responsibilities include:
Setting and delivering the land acquisition and planning strategy to secure a sustainable, high-quality development pipeline.
Identifying, appraising, and securing on- and off-market land opportunities, including option agreements, promotion agreements, and acquisitions.
Leading planning strategies across all land opportunities, from site identification and promotion through allocation, consent, and delivery.
Monitoring Local Plans, housing land supply, and emerging planning policy across Yorkshire and Lancashire to identify strategic opportunities and risks.
Promoting sites through Local Plan, SHLAA/HELAA, and call-for-sites processes to secure allocations.
Managing relationships with Local Planning Authorities, planning officers, key consultees, landowners, and agents.
Overseeing the preparation, submission, negotiation, and delivery of planning applications, reserved matters, and appeals.
Providing clear commercial and planning advice to support informed investment and acquisition decisions.
Working closely with commercial, technical, construction, and sales teams to ensure smooth transition from land to delivery.
Where appropriate, mentoring and developing junior land and planning resource as the platform grows.
What We’re Looking For
Proven senior experience in land acquisition and planning within residential development.
Background with a housebuilder, land promoter, developer, or planning consultancy.
Strong working knowledge of the UK planning system and land agreements (option, promotion, conditional contracts).
Commercially astute, with a strong understanding of technical, design, and viability considerations.
Experience reviewing and advising on viability studies and financial appraisals.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Strategic, proactive, and confident operating at senior leadership level.
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Professional membership (RTPI, RICS, or similar) and established regional networks are highly advantageous.
Why Apply?
This role offers:
A senior leadership role with genuine ownership of land and planning strategy.
The chance to shape the growth and direction of a respected residential developer.
Exposure to high-quality, long-term development projects across Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Direct access to decision-makers and the ability to influence business strategy.
A collaborative, quality-driven culture with a long-term outlook.
Competitive salary and benefits package, including bonus, pension, and flexible working.
If you’re a senior land and planning professional looking for a strategic, high-impact role where your decisions directly shape growth and delivery, I’d welcome a confidential discussion.
Dan Petrie, Principal Consultant, Cognisant
07487 795148