At Berrys, we are all about land and property. Working from four offices across the Midlands, we offer an array of services - planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation and business consultancy - to help our clients make the most of their assets.
You will be part of a multi-disciplinary development team made up of engineers, surveyors, archaeologists, planners and architects. You will be part of a business which is big enough for a varied range of work and opportunities. However, it is small enough to provide autonomy and a chance to really get to know everyone – expanding your skills and building new connections.
Operational Requirements - Commercial Agent/Strategic Land Lead:
- Act as the internal figurehead for our Strategic Land offer within the Towcester office and be the go‑to source for technical and market expertise.
- Cover the Northamptonshire market and surrounding counties
- Lead the identification, appraisal, and securing of strategic land opportunities through promotion agreements, option agreements, JV structures, and freehold acquisition/disposal.
- Undertake development appraisals, land valuation, and high‑level viability assessments to inform strategic decision‑making.
- Work collaboratively with planners, architects, valuers and development specialists to deliver cohesive advice and coordinated strategies for clients.
- Provide expert guidance to landowners, from initial site appraisal through to the promotion, planning and disposal processes.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the evolving planning landscape, local plan reviews, call‑for‑sites and regional housing need.
- Support and mentor junior team members, helping them develop technical understanding of strategic land, planning policy and the development lifecycle.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness, understanding drivers of profitability, efficiency and team productivity.
Strategic Requirements - Commercial Agent/Strategic Land Lead:
- Gain a deep understanding of Berrys’ business model and multi‑disciplinary service offering to promote a comprehensive development proposition to clients.
- Drive business development activity to expand our strategic land instructions across Northamptonshire and neighbouring counties.
- Build and maintain a strong network of landowners, promoters, developers, housebuilders, agents, and local authority contacts.
- Leverage existing relationships to enhance the pipeline of strategic land opportunities and cross‑sell other Berrys services where appropriate.
- Review our current strategic land portfolio, identify strengths and weaknesses, and implement a diversification and growth plan.
- Monitor market trends, land values, planning policy and developer appetite, shaping Berrys’ approach accordingly.
- Represent the company at industry events, maintaining a strong and positive presence within the regional land and development market.
- This is a senior hire and the person must be able to develop and sustain their own book of clients and portfolio of instructions.
Person Specification - Commercial Agent/Strategic Land Lead:
- Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
- A passion for land, planning and development with a friendly, professional manner and strong client focus.
- Strong track record of advising landowners and managing strategic land instructions.
- Ability to set technical and commercial strategy for the strategic land team.
- Exceptional skills in land valuation, development appraisal and planning‑led decision‑making.
- Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making capabilities.
- Strategic thinker with excellent attention to detail.
- Resilient under pressure, adaptable to change and able to prioritise competing demands.
- Commitment to innovation and continual improvement of service delivery.
- RICS‑accredited qualification preferred (Rural, Planning & Development or Commercial routes considered).
- Confident using social media channels such as LinkedIn to support business development.
- Full, clean UK driving licence essential due to site visits and landowner meetings.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, to be worked flexibly Monday-Friday in line with our Agile Working Philosophy.
Benefits - Commercial Agent/Strategic Land Lead:
- The role sits within a friendly and supportive team with opportunities to develop.
- We will offer an excellent salary for the right candidate reflective of your skills, qualifications and experience
- We will pay all the appropriate professional memberships and fund your attendance at relevant CPD events and time off for approved training
- We provide Private Healthcare scheme for all via BUPA
- We have an Employee Assistance Programme, including a health plan and annual flu jab
- We have an agile working philosophy allowing for a mix of remote and office working
- We provide an entitlement of 35 days holiday per annum (pro rata to working hours) inclusive of bank holidays
- An additional day off to celebrate your Birthday
- We give an additional day of holiday for every 3 years of service
- The is potential for discretionary bonus
- We provide an enhanced workplace pension scheme operated through the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST)
- Following successful probation period, access to employee loan and employee discount on Berrys services
- We offer salary sacrifice schemes for Electric Vehicles and Cycle to Work schemes
- Please note that we may close this role early, if sufficient applications are received, therefore it is recommended to apply early if you match the criteria.
