About the role: 

The Group Land and Planning function at Persimmon is central to shaping the company’s long term growth strategy. Securing and promoting the right land is critical to delivering homes, expanding outlets, and sustaining future success.

This team provides expert support to regional businesses and Lone Star Land, advising on planning and land strategy for both immediate acquisitions and longer term strategic opportunities.

Key Focus Areas:

• Planning: Guide regional teams on planning strategy and support planning application sign-o .
• Strategic Land Acquisition & Promotion: Guide regional teams to identify, secure, and promote strategic land opportunities to maintain a strong development pipeline.
• Risk & Governance: Monitor planning and strategic land activity, maintain risk registers, and ensure alignment with corporate governance and sustainability objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

The role will provide support to Directors within Group Land and Planning team, with responsibilities including:

Strategic Land Support

• Undertake research to underpin new strategic land opportunities.
• Assist in preparing planning assessments and providing advice to regional teams. Support the evaluation of new strategic land prospects and contribute to bid preparation.
• Assist with the review of land appraisals, assessing site suitability, brand alignment, revenue potential, and cost assumptions.
• Monitor strategic land activity across the Group and help maintain a risk register for strategic assets.
• Assist in reporting on strategic land performance to track progress against KPIs.

Group Planning Support

• Support Group Directors in their oversight of planning strategy and operations.
• Undertake assessment and due diligence for new land opportunities.
• Work with our regional planning teams to develop and implement planning strategies.
• Contribute to special projects undertaken by the central planning team.
• Help produce/ review design guidance such as our Placemaking Framework.
• Support the review of planning applications as part of submission sign o .
• Review proposed planning reforms and consultations to inform strategy.
• Support the organisation of events such as the Annual Group Planning Conference.
• Assist in group reporting to track progress against key group objectives and KPIs.

Why should you apply?

Here’s what you can expect:

• Variety & Challenge: Work on projects big and small, from local schemes to major strategic developments, gaining exposure to every stage of the land and planning process.
• Experienced Mentorship: Learn from industry leading professionals and collaborate with a team that values innovation and knowledge sharing.
• National Perspective: Gain hands on experience across England, Scotland, and Wales, giving you a unique understanding of regional planning and development strategies.
• Career Progression: A clear pathway to advance within one of the UK’s leading house builders, with opportunities to shape the future of housing and leave a lasting legacy.
• Professional Accreditation: Opportunity to achieve professional accreditation through membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and/or the Royal
• Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

What we look for?

• Strong analytical and research capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret planning policy and assess development potential.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint); familiarity with land appraisal tools is advantageous.
• Forward thinking with an interest in innovation including opportunities for use of AI.
• Highly organised, proactive, and detail oriented.
• Degree in Planning, Geography, Real Estate, or a related discipline.
• Interest in planning, land acquisition, strategic land, planning policy, and/or placemaking.