Cobalt is working with an established real estate consultancy seeking to appoint an Associate Director or Director to strengthen its affordable housing valuation and development advisory capability.

This appointment offers the opportunity to take ownership of technical valuation and viability instructions, advise clients independently and contribute to the continued growth of the team.

With an established client base and scope to develop new relationships, you will combine technical expertise with commercial judgement, helping shape the consultancy's affordable housing advisory offering.

The Organisation

Our client is a real estate consultancy advising developers, lenders, local authorities and other stakeholders on development, regeneration and valuation. Its work spans public and private sector clients, including major residential-led and mixed-use projects.

The business offers a collaborative environment where senior professionals can influence client strategy, contribute to the direction of the team and play a visible part in its expansion.

You will join an established team with developing junior talent, providing opportunities to share your expertise, support colleagues and strengthen its technical capability.

The organisation operates a hybrid working policy, with three days in the office and two days working from home.

The Role/Responsibilities

Working alongside senior colleagues, you will take responsibility for affordable housing valuation and development advisory instructions, providing technical and commercial advice to clients across the development lifecycle.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading affordable housing valuations and financial viability assessments for residential-led and mixed-use developments.

• Providing technical advice on affordable housing requirements, Section 106 obligations and their implications for development viability.

• Preparing and reviewing Red Book valuation reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with professional standards.

• Advising developers, landowners and public sector clients throughout feasibility, design, planning and viability negotiations.

• Assessing development appraisals, funding considerations and commercial deliverability across major regeneration schemes.

• Managing client instructions independently, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.

• Identifying and securing new business through existing relationships, tenders and prospective client engagement.

• Supporting the development of junior colleagues through technical guidance, mentoring and quality assurance.

• Contributing to the growth and market positioning of the affordable housing valuation and wider Development Consultancy offering.

You will have direct client exposure and the autonomy to manage commissions from instruction through to completion, while helping expand the consultancy's presence in the affordable housing market.

The balance between technical delivery, client management and business development will reflect whether you join at Associate Director or Director level, with greater emphasis on strategic growth and fee generation at Director level.

The Skills Needed/Requirements

We are interested in speaking with established affordable housing valuation professionals who can combine technical expertise with the commercial awareness and client relationships required at Associate Director or Director level.

You should bring:

• MRICS qualification.

• RICS Registered Valuer status or extensive valuation experience where this forms a central part of your work.

• Working knowledge of affordable housing valuation, including the impact of tenure, Section 106 obligations and planning requirements on development value.

• Experience undertaking financial viability assessments and development appraisals for residential-led and mixed-use schemes.

• Proficiency in Argus Developer and Excel financial modelling.

• Experience preparing and reviewing technical valuations and Red Book reports.

• Exposure to major regeneration or development projects, with an understanding of their commercial and planning considerations.

• The ability to manage complex instructions independently and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.

• Experience advising public and private sector clients, with established relationships across the property and development market.

• A track record of client development, fee generation, tender submissions or securing new instructions.

• The ability to provide technical oversight, support junior colleagues and contribute to wider team development.

At Associate Director level, you should demonstrate independent ownership of valuation instructions, established client relationships and evidence of contributing to business development.

At Director level, we would expect a more developed track record of fee generation, senior client management and the ability to influence the strategic direction and growth of the service line.

A consultancy background would be particularly relevant, especially where you have combined affordable housing valuation with wider development viability and advisory work.

Salary is open to discussion and will reflect your technical experience, client relationships and contribution to business growth.

For an established affordable housing valuation specialist looking for greater influence over client work and the direction of a growing advisory team, this appointment offers the opportunity to build on an existing platform while developing your own client portfolio.

Interviews are expected to progress quickly, so we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Due to the volume of applications received, if you don't hear back from us, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

If you require any adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process for any reason whatsoever, please let your Cobalt consultant, Adaora, know.