Persimmon Homes · Healthcare

Persimmon Homes Development Manager (Organisational) Interview

Complete guide to the Development Manager (Organisational) interview at Persimmon Homes — real questions, insider tips, salary data, and stage-by-stage preparation.

Recruitment ongoing. Application-to-offer typically 4-8 weeks.

5 stages

14 questions

Practise this interview free

Overview

Interviewing for Development Manager (Organisational) at Persimmon Homes

Interviewing for a Development Manager (Organisational) position at Persimmon Homes is a distinct experience from applying to the same role elsewhere. Persimmon Homes with 5,500+ employees, has built a structured hiring process that reflects both the demands of the Development Manager (Organisational) role and the company's own values and culture. The process is designed to assess not just whether you can do the job technically, but whether you'll thrive in Persimmon Homes's specific working environment.

For Development Manager (Organisational)s at Persimmon Homes, the assessment process puts significant weight on values, safeguarding awareness, and your commitment to the people you serve. Technical knowledge matters, but interviewers are equally focused on whether you demonstrate the empathy, professionalism, and resilience the role demands. Expect scenario-based questions that test how you handle real-world pressure.

Understanding what Persimmon Homes values — and how that translates into their interview expectations for a Development Manager (Organisational) — gives you a significant advantage. This guide breaks down the full process, the specific questions you're likely to face, and how to prepare effectively.

Process

How Persimmon Homes interviews Development Manager (Organisational)s

Persimmon Homes's interview process for Development Manager (Organisational) roles typically runs 4-8 weeks and involves 5 distinct stages. The process begins with application screening and progresses through increasingly focused assessments. Each stage is designed to evaluate different aspects of your suitability — from baseline qualifications through to cultural alignment and role-specific capability.

For Development Manager (Organisational) candidates, the process is structured to assess both your technical competence and your fit within Persimmon Homes's team. Expect a mix of competency-based questions testing relevant experience, scenario-based discussions probing your judgement, and conversations about your career goals. Persimmon Homes looks for candidates who can demonstrate impact from previous roles and articulate how they'd contribute here.

Application Screening

CV and application reviewed for relevant development or property experience

Tailor your application specifically for the Development Manager (Organisational) role at Persimmon Homes. Highlight experience with Strategic planning and thinking, Change management and leadership, Project and programme management and use language that mirrors their job description. Persimmon Homes receives high volumes of applications, so a generic CV will be filtered out.

Telephone Interview

Initial conversation with recruiter covering background and motivation

Research Persimmon Homes's approach to this stage. Prepare specific examples from your Development Manager (Organisational) experience that demonstrate the qualities they value: development knowledge, commercial acumen, project management.

First Interview

Interview with a development professional or manager

Second Interview

Interview with a senior manager or director

Offer Stage

Final offer confirmation and background checks

Format

Interview format and logistics

As a mid-size organisation, Persimmon Homes's interview process for Development Manager (Organisational) roles tends to be more personal and direct than at larger employers. Expect fewer formal stages — typically 2-3 rounds rather than 4-5 — with earlier access to the hiring manager or team lead. Interviews may be conducted via video call or in person depending on location. The format is less rigidly structured than at enterprise companies, which means you'll have more opportunity for genuine conversation, but the expectations are equally high. Come prepared to discuss your experience in depth rather than delivering polished, rehearsed answers.

Qualities

What Persimmon Homes looks for in Development Manager (Organisational)s

Development Knowledge

Persimmon Homes values development knowledge because Understanding of residential development, planning, and construction processes. Knowledge of housebuilding and land strategy..

For the Development Manager (Organisational) role, show this by sharing examples where you used Strategic planning and thinking or Change management and leadership to deliver measurable results.

Commercial Acumen

Persimmon Homes values commercial acumen because Ability to assess site viability and understand development economics. Financial and business thinking..

For the Development Manager (Organisational) role, show this by sharing examples where you used Strategic planning and thinking or Change management and leadership to deliver measurable results.

Project Management

Persimmon Homes values project management because Ability to manage development projects and coordinate stakeholders. Delivery-focused approach..

As a Development Manager (Organisational), demonstrate this through Plans thoroughly; manages timelines and budgets; tracks progress; delivers results.

Quality Focus

Persimmon Homes values quality focus because Commitment to delivering quality homes and customer satisfaction. Attention to standards and continuous improvement..

For the Development Manager (Organisational) role, show this by sharing examples where you used Strategic planning and thinking or Change management and leadership to deliver measurable results.

Change leadership

For Development Manager (Organisational) roles specifically, change leadership is essential because Manages change thoughtfully; involves stakeholders; communicates clearly; supports teams.

Prepare 2-3 examples from your experience that clearly demonstrate change leadership. Persimmon Homes's interviewers will probe this in behavioural questions.

Questions