Head of Development

But we're far more than a housebuilder.\n\nAs part of Orbit Group, our purpose is to build thriving communities. Every decision we make, every partnership we form and every home we create contributes towards that purpose.\n\nThe role\n\nThis is a genuine leadership opportunity.\n\nAs Head of Development, you'll lead a talented team responsible for identifying, acquiring and progressing development opportunities from land acquisition through to start on site. You'll influence the future shape of our development programme, balancing commercial performance with social impact, while working alongside senior colleagues across Orbit Homes and the wider Group.\n\nYou'll negotiate complex land deals, build strong partnerships across the industry and ensure every opportunity aligns with our ambitious growth plans, sustainability commitments and long-term investment strategy.\n\nThis is a role for someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking with commercial delivery and who thrives on seeing opportunities become places that people will one day call home.\n\nThis role is part of Orbit Homes where you'll help us to build 7,000 new affordable homes by 2030 in a sustainable way.\n\nWhat you'll achieve\n\nYou'll provide leadership to a high-performing development team, creating an environment where people can perform at their best while delivering an ambitious pipeline of land and new business opportunities.\n\nWorking closely with colleagues across planning, technical, commercial, finance and construction, you'll:\n\nLead the identification, appraisal and acquisition of strategic land and development opportunities.\nDrive projects through planning, legal and internal governance to achieve timely starts on site.\nNegotiate commercially successful land and development agreements that maximise value while effectively managing risk.\nBuild and maintain influential relationships with landowners, developers, Homes England, local authorities, agents and professional partners.\nLead investment approvals and present significant development opportunities to senior leadership and governance forums.\nEnsure robust financial appraisal, forecasting and programme management across your portfolio.\nChampion continuous improvement, sustainability and high standards across every development.What you'll bring\n\nEssential skills\n\nYou'll already be operating in a senior development leadership role within housebuilding, residential development or the affordable housing sector.\n\nA strong track record of securing and delivering successful land and development opportunities.\nExtensive knowledge of the planning and development process.\nExcellent commercial judgement with experience negotiating complex development agreements.\nStrong financial and analytical capability, including development appraisals and investment decision making.\nThe ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.\nOutstanding relationship-building skills with the credibility to influence at executive level and across external partners.\nA passion for creating places and communities that make a lasting difference.Desirable skills\n\nKnowledge of Homes England funding and Registered Provider development would be advantageous, together with relevant professional qualifications such as MRICS or MRTPI.Why Orbit?\n\nChoosing us means being rewarded in every sense.\n\nHere’s what you can expect to enjoy with us.\n\nA rewarding experience that works for you \n\nWe strive to create an inclusive experience with benefits and wellbeing programmes designed to help you, and your loved ones, to thrive.

For a better work life balance, we offer flexible working opportunities for many roles.\n\nA place to progress \n\nFrom training programmes to professional qualifications, we provide opportunities to learn and develop at every stage of your career. Whether you’re a student, graduate or experienced professional we’ll support you to grow.\n\nFor leaders, our tailored development journeys are designed to stretch and strengthen your leadership skills. As well as practical training, we give you access to renowned business schools and experiential programmes for greater breadth and depth of learning.\n\nA purpose to feel proud of\n\nWe’re proud to make a difference to people together.

We’re values-driven with a commercial focus on performance - because the more profit we make, the more we can achieve for people.\n\nWhat brings us together is a passionate belief in progress and people.\n\nRead more about the values and purpose that drive us on our careers website. \n\nHow we hire\n\nWe aim to make our hiring process simple and fair:\n\nOnline application\nInterview(s)\nDecision and offerWe put the safeguarding of our customers, colleagues and contractors at the heart of everything we do and as such, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check