Advert Closes: 22nd January 2026

Shape the Future of Urban Development
We’re seeking a strategic, commercially minded finance leader to join us as Head of Development Finance. In this pivotal role, you’ll take full ownership of the financial strategy behind one of the UK’s most significant and diverse development pipelines. With a proactive, solutions-focused mindset and a willingness to lead from the front, you’ll shape decisions that drive long-term value and impact.

In this pivotal position, you’ll oversee all financial aspects of our Urban development portfolio, ensuring capital is deployed to maximise long-term value, manage risk, and support decision-making at the highest levels. As the senior finance lead for development, you’ll work closely with the Development Leadership Team and Urban Finance Director, providing insight and assurance across the full lifecycle of major projects, from early feasibility and land strategy through planning, delivery, leasing, and stabilisation.

What Makes This Role Unique?

Significant pipeline: Work on a diverse range of developments, commercial, residential, mixed-use, and regeneration projects, across multiple locations, not just London.

Variety and impact: From strategic land to complex urban schemes, you’ll shape projects that define communities and deliver long-term value.

Strong brand, real estate focus: Join an organisation with a strong reputation and a commitment to delivering exceptional real estate projects.

Momentum and opportunity: With projects underway, in planning and in strategy, you’ll be at the heart of a dynamic and growing portfolio.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and grow a high-performing development finance team, mentoring and building capability in commercial thinking and scenario modelling.

• Own the Development P&L and set the standard for financial modelling and appraisal analysis on major developments (£30m+).

• We’re looking for a strategic and commercially minded finance leader to join us as Head of Development Finance. You’ll have a willingness to take ownership and a proactive, solutions orientated approach. You’ll take ownership of the financial strategy behind one of the most significant and diverse development pipelines in the UK.

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing clear, concise insights on viability, IRR performance, and risk.

• Drive consistency and quality in investment papers, quarterly reporting, and governance processes.

• Partner with Development Directors to optimise outcomes, challenge assumptions, and mitigate risks across large-scale projects.

What We’re Looking For

• ACA/CIMA qualified with substantial post-qualification experience.

• Proven track record as a senior development finance leader on major mixed-use, commercial, residential, or regeneration schemes.

• Deep expertise in financial modelling, sensitivity analysis, IRR/NPV, and risk-adjusted returns.

• Excellent commercial judgment and ability to influence at senior levels.

• Experience in technical appraisal, drafting recommendations, and enhancing finance tools (e.g., Anaplan, Agresso, Argus Developer).

• Collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions-focused with excellent leadership and communication skills.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to play a critical role in shaping the financial success of some of the most significant urban developments in the UK. You’ll operate at the heart of strategic decision-making, lead a talented team and influence outcomes that deliver long-term value for communities and stakeholders.

Ready to make an impact?
Apply now and help us build a future that’s financially robust, sustainable and value-driven

Our Offering / benefits:

As well as a competitive salary, pension and performance related bonus offering, we have a wealth of benefits available ranging from flexible working; market leading family policies and shopping discounts in the West End, to private healthcare; life and critical illness cover and 28 days holiday with the option to buy more. We value work life balance and your wellbeing highly, enabling you to be your best self to work.

Disability Disclaimer:

We are a proud disability confident employer and operate the offer of interview scheme Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

We are happy to offer alternative application methods or formats and can be flexible on our process to enable you to have the best opportunity.

If you have any questions about our recruitment process or would like to talk about adjustments, please contact us on careers@thecrownestate.co.uk