Land Manager

Job description

Cobalt is working with Zunikh, a dynamic multi-sectoral real estate developer renowned for its innovative and community-led approach to building high-quality properties nationwide with a particular focus on London and the South East. With a strong track record of delivering sustainable, design-led residential schemes, Zunikh is carving out a niche as a trusted partner in modern urban regeneration. Their close-knit, forward-thinking team fosters a collaborative culture and offers flexible working, unrivalled opportunities for career progression and the chance to join a growing and already successful business on their extensive growth journey.

Zunikh is a privately-owned developer who deliver high-quality, affordable, and design-conscious residential for-sale schemes, as well as schemes across all sectors. Other current schemes include a 489-bed PBSA development, a 30-acre industrial scheme, and a number of PD schemes. Their developments are often recognised for sustainability, with ESG considerations embedded into project planning from the outset.

Known for creating an inclusive workplace culture that champions personal development and employee wellbeing, they donate 50% of their profits to charity and are driven by a genuine desire to “do good” through the power of the built environment. They are also committed to diversity and inclusion – championing a positive gender balance, neurodiversity, and being disability-positive.

Based in their Watford office, you will be travelling to sites as needed, on a hybrid basis.

The Role

As Land Manager, you will focus on the commercial, technical and financial evaluation of development opportunities introduced through Zunikh’s established network. Your primary responsibility will be to rigorously assess, structure and progress opportunities from initial appraisals.

This is a commercially driven role requiring strong analytical capability, technical development knowledge and the confidence to challenge assumptions to ensure robust acquisition decisions.

Key responsibilities include:

Development Appraisal and Financial Analysis

Leading detailed development appraisals, financial modelling and sensitivity analysis to assess viability and risk through Residual Land Value and Cash Flow models.

Interrogating scheme assumptions including GDV, yield, build costs, abnormal costs, planning obligations and exit strategies.

Undertaking full due diligence across planning, legal, technical and commercial workstreams.

Supporting funding and investment committee decision making through submission of due diligence reports on sites determined appropriate to advance.

Land Acquisition

Assist / support the identification of land opportunities (limited sourcing responsibility – c.5% of the role).

Building relationships with landowners, agents and wider stakeholders.

Supporting negotiations with landowners and agents where required to agree HOTs on conditional and unconditional purchase agreements

Contributing to acquisition strategy and investment decision-making at board level.

Planning and Market Research

Reviewing and staying on top of changes to local and national planning policies.

Undertaking market research on sales values, rental values, investment yields, absorption etc for a range of sectors and geographies across the UK.

Due Diligence and Risk Management

Co-ordinating technical, legal and environmental investigations.

Undertaking detailed site due diligence to identify site abnormals and planning risks, working with internal and external teams to evaluate risks.

General

Working closely with internal Development and Project Management colleagues to ensure schemes transition smoothly into delivery while maintaining commercial integrity.

To be proactive in supporting wider business initiatives as the organisation grows.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Have experience within a developer, investor, housing association or consultancy in a Land, Development or Commercial role.
• Will have a minimum of 2 years + PQE.
• Demonstrate strong development appraisal capability, with the ability to build, interrogate and stress-test financial models.
• Possess a strong technical understanding of development metrics, including GDV, yield, profit on cost, IRR, viability and cost planning principles.
• Have a solid commercial background or strong commercial acumen, with the ability to understand risk, structure deals and make financially sound recommendations.
• Have a strong understanding of the planning system, both nationally and locally.
• Have experience coordinating multidisciplinary consultant teams.
• Be highly numerate, analytical and detail-oriented, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Thrive in an entrepreneurial, agile business environment.

Interviews are being scheduled now, with the client keen to appoint in the coming weeks. Apply today to be considered before the shortlist closes.

Due to the volume of applications received, if you do not hear back from us, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

If you require any adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process, please let Adaora know.

Please note – Cobalt and Zunikh are partnered on this recruitment search. Any direct applicants to the business will be directed into our process. Applicants via other agencies will be considered a gift and contacted directly by Cobalt to follow the formal application process.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Watford

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

01-03-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English