Head of Development

50225_1767783192
  • Negotiable
  • Birmingham, West Midlands

Head of Development


📍 Location: Midlands (Frequent Travel Across England & Wales)
💰 Salary: Dependent on Experience
🎁 Benefits: Car Allowance, Bonus, Private Healthcare, Pension, 30 Days Holiday, and More!

About the Role:


We are seeking an experienced Head of Development to lead the full lifecycle of property development projects for a growing specialist education provider. This pivotal role is responsible for delivering three new education facilities per year, representing an annual capital investment of approximately £10 million.


The successful candidate will design and embed a structured development process, ensuring all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and fully compliant with regulatory and safeguarding standards. In addition to new developments, you will oversee the property strategy, maintenance, and improvement of the existing estate across England and Wales.

Key Responsibilities:

  • End-to-End Development Management: From site identification and acquisition through planning, design, build, and operational handover.
  • Strategic Leadership: Shape and implement a structured development framework aligned with organisational growth plans.
  • Planning & Compliance: Manage planning applications and ensure compliance with DfE, Ofsted, CIW, building regulations, and health & safety requirements.
  • Estate Management: Oversee refurbishment and optimisation of existing sites.
  • Financial Accountability: Manage an annual capex budget of c£10m, ensuring projects meet cost and quality standards.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners including local authorities, contractors, and consultants.

Candidate Profile:

  • Proven track record in cradle-to-grave property development, including new build and refurbishment projects.
  • Strong client-side experience, ideally within education, healthcare, retail, hospitality, leisure, or similar multi-site environments.
  • Deep understanding of planning processes, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Experience managing high-value capital projects and complex stakeholder landscapes.
  • Ability to embed structured development processes in a growing organisation.


✅ Interested?



Apply now or contact Lucy Wynn at for a confidential discussion about this exciting opportunity to shape the future of specialist education environments.

At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.

By applying you will be registered as a candidate with Gleeson Recruitment Limited. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website and explains how we will use your data.

Lucy Wynn
Lucy Wynn Associate Director

Apply for this role