Acquisitions Manager (or Senior Acquisitions Manager)
Meet Our Recruiter
Kate Peers-McQueen
About the Role
If you know how to uncover hidden gems in the South East property market-and want the freedom to shape deals, not just source them-this is the kind of opportunity that rarely gets advertised.
About the Company
Our client is a privately owned, multi-sector property business with a long-established track record in land, trading, and boutique development. Entrepreneurial, well-capitalised, and fast-moving, the company operates across the Northern Home Counties, Surrey, Hampshire, London, and the South Coast. With a compact, highly capable team of around ten professionals, they combine planning expertise, design-led thinking, and commercial agility to deliver quality schemes and strong returns.
Operating under a trading licence model, at least half of the company's activity is focused on planning gain and site trading-unlocking value through smart acquisitions, strategic planning, and selective development. The business also owns a Registered Provider, allowing it to pursue affordable and mixed-tenure opportunities alongside private projects.
The Opportunity
This is a senior-level role for a confident, self-starting dealmaker-someone who brings something different to the table. You'll take the lead on sourcing, structuring, and appraising land and development opportunities across the South East.
Rather than a standard residential land-buying position, this is a chance to diversify and add value: you might have experience in strategic land, commercial or mixed-use assets, alternative residential (such as PBSA, BTR or co-living) or planning-led deals where gain is driven by consent, not construction.
You'll work closely with the company's leadership team to shape acquisition strategy and drive the next phase of growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, appraise, and acquire land and buildings with development potential across the South East
- Lead due diligence, planning assessments, and financial appraisals
- Operate under the trading licence model, focusing on planning gain rather than delivery
- Build relationships with agents, landowners, developers, and local authorities
- Support diversification into new sectors or deal types
About You
- Proven track record in land acquisition, planning, or development across the South East
- Strong network of agents, landowners, and introducers
- Commercially astute and confident in assessing risk and opportunity
- Hands-on understanding of the planning system (Local Plans, NPPF, etc.)
- Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work autonomously
- You bring a niche-perhaps in strategic land, commercial repurposing, alternative living, or mixed-use regeneration-and the contacts to back it up
Why This Role?
Join a company that can move fast, where your ideas will be heard, and your deals will actually happen. You'll be part of a close-knit, loyal team with real momentum-led by a dynamic, design-minded founder who's built an enviable portfolio by spotting potential others miss.
The environment suits someone who thrives on autonomy and variety-who wants to leave behind a slow, underfunded setup and move to a platform that's acquisitive, ambitious, and genuinely active.
Location:
South West London
Interested?
Curious? Let's talk. Drop us a note or share a few lines about your background-no polished CV needed.
Please get in touch with me (Kate) on 0207 478 2523 to discuss and understand more about the role. If you do not hear back within two weeks, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful, but we will retain your details on file for future roles.
If you do not hear anything back within one week, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion, but I will retain your details for future roles. When applying to any role through Cobalt, your CV will never be shared with a client without your prior consent. Apply in confidence below or get in touch with me for a confidential discussion about the position via kpm@cobaltrecruitment.com.
