We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Development to join our team within Vistry Services Special Projects division, at our Brentwood office. As our Head of Development, you will lead the Development team in delivering the key objectives of Special Projects and support the Managing Director in maintaining key partner relationships for the future of the business.
Overall control of pre-start on site activities including remedial works, JCT’s, settlement agreements are negotiated and entered into in line with key milestones and to de-risk the business, ensure the technical team prepares scope of works and liability for concluding negotiations, entering contracts, and/or litigation
Manage and complete the Life Of Site approval and gateway process to ensure correct governance is followed. Report key metrics at the board meetings, prepare responses to key stakeholders such as MHCLG, liaise with Technical to submit data reports.
We value in-person collaboration and team culture, but we’re also committed to supporting flexible working where possible. We encourage you to raise any specific requirements during the interview process so we can explore how this could be accommodated.
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Let’s cut to the chase, what’s in it for you...
- Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
- Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
- Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
- Up to 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to up to 39 days with service
- 2 Volunteering days per annum
- Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
- Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
- Share save and share incentive schemes
- Employee rewards portal with many more benefits...
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In return, what we would like from you...
- Behave in line with our company values – Integrity, Caring and Quality
- HNC / NVQ Level 4 or above
- Demonstrable track record of managing either large portfolio of new build projects, regeneration schemes or remediation works
- A very good understanding of legal obligations
- Detailed knowledge of the development process, building construction, legal and planning issues
- Experience in financial appraisals, cashflows, and viability
- Experience of working with Housing Associations on partnership contracts, JCT’s, JV’s and frameworks
- Experience in bidding for new business through public procurement or negotiated tender
- Strong mathematics and IT ability
- Ability to assess and analyse information
- In depth understanding of budget management
- Excellent negotiation and networking skills
- A pragmatic approach to problem solving
- Has the ability to identify and manage risk, gathering and considering all the facts, including factors not directly linked to immediate work but which may impact development and wider business
- Ability to follow and lead change management programmes
- Firm commitment to accountability, performance management, target setting and monitoring
- Is a dynamic and inspirational leader, able to articulate a vision that creates excitement, enthusiasm and commitment from others
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to get buy-in from other departments
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to work with a high degree of accuracy
- A methodical approach to working practices
- Decision maker with pragmatic approach to problem solving
- Able to influence and persuade others
- Discretion and integrity in attitude and approach
- A self-starter capable of creating and maintaining momentum on projects
- The ability to lead, support and develop staff and maintaining excellent services during periods of change
- Facilities the resolution of conflict between people so that an appropriate way forward is identified
- The ability to promote a culture of innovation, joint working, employee involvement and positive problem solving across the department and BU
- Willing to work extra to meet deadlines as and when the business needs require it
Desirable...
- Degree in Estate Management or equivalent
- Professional Registration RICS or equivalent
- Understanding of Joint Venture structures
- Experience of consortium developments
- In-depth knowledge of the planning process and strategic development
- Knowledge of the Building Safety Act
- Understanding of FRAEWs and FRAs for assessing risk and/or liability
- Litigation experience against suppliers or contractors
- Works with teams to identify opportunities to learn, both in day-to-day work and also on formal training courses
- Promotes a no blame culture, learning by any mistakes
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More about the Head of Development role...
- Lead the pre-development programme to ensure all projects achieve their key milestones.
- Give advice to ensure all development issues are addressed in outline at the outset prior to conclusion of the contracts in coordination with the Technical team.
- Ensuring the active involvement of the Development Team to facilitate effective handover of projects to Technical and Commercial teams.
- Liaise with Technical on annual insurance renewal and technical tracker.
- Update the records of buildings constructed/developed over the last 30 years.
- Settlement of the programme, monitoring all Developments through a thorough review of development co-ordination checklists on a regular basis. Set realistic programmes to determine construction starts and meeting the key objectives of the joint plan for remediation.
- Management of the relevant Development Budgets and programme information in line with the CVR timetable and Cashflow forecast.
- Liaison with the Legal department / appointed Solicitor as required to ensure all relevant documentation is available at the requisite time including:
- Remedial Works Contracts
- Access licenses
- Settlement Agreements
- JCT Contracts & Schedule of Amendments
- Oversee development team for managing the contracts once on site via their monthly project meetings, maintaining client relationships during the works.
- Carry out duties in compliance with the company’s governance and reporting processes.
- Prepare and submit Life of Site Gateway approvals. Including any necessary archive or legal checks as part of the Triage process for progressing a recovery action.
- To undertake any other duties as deemed necessary from time to time.
Finally, let’s tell you a bit more about us...
We build more than homes, we’re making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award-winning employer means we live each day through our ethos - doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. Shaping all we do; they empower us to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership-led way, and you’ll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation,â¯and the functional support of Vistry Services, we’re a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five-star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach.
Join us in making Vistry.
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