Land Graduate / Land Assistant

About the role: 

We’re recruiting a Land Graduate / Land Assistant to support our Land & Partnerships Team within Esh Living, working across our land led and partnership led affordable housing developments.

You’ll develop a strong understanding of the regional housing and planning landscape while supporting the Land & Partnerships team in identifying new land opportunities, progressing early stage feasibility work, coordinating multi disciplinary inputs, and helping move schemes towards planning.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their career who is eager to build a future in land, planning, or housing development.

Location:

Bowburn 

What we will expect from you:

• ​Assist with site evaluations, due diligence, and early stage research
• ​Record, manage and maintain land opportunities via our development pipeline systems
• ​Collate, coordinate and review information from internal teams and external partners
• ​Support the preparation of development proposals, feasibility summaries and land bids
• ​Work with pre construction teams — including design, technical, estimating and commercial — to gather and update project information
• ​Liaise with external consultants, architects, engineers, land agents and planning specialists
• ​Build relationships with clients across the affordable housing sector, including registered providers and local authorities
• ​Support planning progression by helping prepare documentation, coordinating inputs and tracking key actions
• ​Contribute to maintaining accurate project files, trackers and governance information
• ​Work to agreed deadlines, ensuring tasks, information requests and submissions are completed on time and to a high standard
• ​Communicate effectively with colleagues and external partners, ensuring information is shared clearly and promptly
• ​Uphold Esh’s commitment to high standards of Health & Safety and compliance
• ​Participate in personal development, training and appraisal processes
• ​Treat everyone with dignity and respect, supporting fairness and equality in the workplace
• ​Flexibility to undertake additional duties as required, in line with the role’s level of responsibility
  

The successful candidate will be measured on:

• ​Administering, recording, managing and maintaining all land pipeline information and project documentation
• ​Quality and timeliness of development proposals, feasibility summaries and land bid support
• ​Effective coordination of information from internal teams and external partners
• ​Contribution to progressing schemes through feasibility and early planning stages
• ​Strong communication and relationship building across clients, consultants and colleagues
• ​Meeting agreed deadlines for tasks, submissions and information coordination, ensuring work is completed on time and to a high standard

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What to Expect from us:

At Esh, our values shape the way we work every day — and you can expect to see them in action from the moment you join us.

Care: We prioritise your wellbeing and development, offering a supportive environment where you’re encouraged to grow, learn, and bring your best self to work
Trust: You’ll have the autonomy to take ownership of your work, with managers who believe in your abilities and are there to support you when needed
Integrity: We do the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest option. You can rely on open, honest communication and fair decision making
Respect: We value diverse perspectives and create a workplace where everyone is listened to, valued, and treated with dignity
Working Together: Collaboration is at the heart of how we operate. You’ll join a team that celebrates shared success and supports one another to achieve great results

Together, these values create a workplace where people feel welcome, trusted, appreciated, and proud to be part of the team.

Qualifications: 

• ​A relevant degree (e.g., planning, geography, housing, property, construction) or strong transferable skills
• ​Around 1 year’s experience in land, development, planning or property (desirable but not essential)
• ​Competent in Microsoft applications and willingness to learn our land appraisal tools
• ​Experience with Land Registry information or planning policy (desirable)
• ​A full, clean UK driving licence is preferable

​Attributes & Skills:

• ​Strong organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail
• ​Excellent communication skills — written, face to face and telephone
• ​Self motivated, proactive and able to use your own initiative
• ​Friendly, approachable and confident engaging with colleagues and clients
• ​Ability to manage competing demands and remain focused under pressure
• ​Good planning and time management skills
• ​Willingness to learn, develop and take on new challenges
• ​Ability to work effectively as part of a team

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