Regional Land & Planning Director

Are you a strategic planning leader with the vision to unlock large-scale development opportunities and shape the future of communities?

We are 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.

This is a highly influential leadership role requiring a combination of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, stakeholder management expertise, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through complex planning environments.

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.

• 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.

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.