4795 Development Manager - Gentoo Group

Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy-efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland.

If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we’d love for you to join us and help achieve our vision.

If you have any accessibility needs or require adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support you.

We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a large number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

Salary: £56,000.00
 

Job Description:

Are you passionate about creating homes that make a real difference in people’s lives? Gentoo are looking for a Development Manager to join our Affordable Development Team, based at our head office in Doxford Park, Sunderland.

As part of the Affordable Development Team, you will play a vital role in enabling Gentoo to achieve its growth ambitions, delivering much-needed housing across the north-east. You’ll manage development projects from the very beginning, identifying new opportunities, preparing financial appraisals, overseeing design development, securing planning permission, and appointing contractors. Once the groundwork is complete, you’ll hand projects over to the Delivery Manager to bring construction to life on-site.

You’ll work on a variety of sites, from small 40-home developments to large strategic schemes of over 300 homes. These include land-led deals, Section 106 affordable housing, and bulk acquisitions. You’ll work with housebuilders, contractors and manage consultant teams to ensure every project meets regulatory standards and delivers high-quality, affordable homes for our customers and communities.

This is more than just a development role; it’s a chance to be part of a team that’s transforming neighbourhoods and improving lives. The homes you help create will support families, individuals, and future generations across Sunderland.

We support a great work-life balance with our standard 36-hour working week, Monday to Friday. Plus, enjoy an early finish at 12:30 pm every Friday—giving you more time for the things that matter to you. We are also proud to be certified as a “Great Place To Work”

A full UK driving licence and a basic DBS check (arranged and funded by Gentoo) are required for this position.
 

What you will be doing:

• Identify and secure new land and development opportunities which align with the Group's objectives and ambitions.
• Manage design and planning teams to ensure projects are compliant with planning policy, achieve regulatory requirements and standards.
• Lead planning public consultation to seek feedback and use to inform development proposals, products and delivery plans.
• Complete financial appraisals to inform bids and tenders.
• Negotiate commercial terms and legal agreements to secure proposals which are efficient, competitive, viable, deliverable and achieve value for money for the Group.
• Prepare and submit grant funding bids to achieve project funding requirements.

What we are looking for:

• A full UK driver’s licence.
• A relevant built environment degree OR equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
• A recognised professional qualification aligned to development, planning, or housing.
• Strong knowledge of current and emerging policy, legislation, and sector issues affecting housing and the built environment.
• Experience working in a development or planning role within the housing OR wider built environment sector.
• A solid understanding of Homes England requirements.
• Proven credibility and professional standing within the housing sector, with the confidence to influence and collaborate effectively.
• A clear understanding of the key planning and development challenges facing housing delivery, alongside a proactive and solutions focused approach to working with local authorities, consultants, contractors, and development partners.
• Sound awareness of the commercial and financial drivers and pressures associated with housing development in the region.
• Strong knowledge of design standards, with evidence of successfully managing and delivering their implementation across development projects.
• Highly developed communication skills with a proven track record in managing colleagues and external teams, providing effective and engaging communication.
• Self-motivated and able to manage multiple projects, meeting conflicting demands.
• A confident and effective influencer with excellent negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

It would be great if you also had:

• Extensive experience in planning and/ or development, with a strong track record of delivering residential led schemes.
• Demonstrable experience in the procurement of residential and mixed use development sites.
• A strong background in legal and commercial negotiations, with the ability to secure and progress residential development opportunities.
• Proven credibility and professional standing within both the housing and commercial development sectors.
• The ability to lead and deliver complex residential led developments, including estate regeneration projects and partnership based delivery models.

Some of our great benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.
• Early finish on Fridays
• Flexible and hybrid working.
• Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover.
• Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan.
• Competitive Aviva pension scheme - Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution.
• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme
• Enhanced family-friendly leave
• Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary

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