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- Tasks: Lead exciting projects to deliver affordable homes in rural communities.
- Company: Join a passionate team at English Rural Housing Association.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, health package, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in rural housing while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in affordable housing development and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35329 - 45090 £ per year.
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £35,329 to 45,090 (depending on experience)
Area of operation: Development
Responsible to: Development Director
Benefits: Bupa Health & welfare package, including salary sacrifice, electric car scheme and generous contributory pension scheme
Annual leave entitlement: 30 days per annum, exclusive of bank holidays
Place of work: Home based, but with regional development area across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. There will be a requirement to attend our London Office (Soho) one day per month (Hybrid Contract)
About English Rural:
English Rural Housing Association is a leading national rural specialist working to provide affordable homes in small villages for local people. We own and manage around 1,600 affordable properties, spread amongst ~200 villages, and have a development programme of between 150 to 200 more homes over the next five years. We are passionate about rural communities and play a leading advocacy role in promoting the importance and urgent need for affordable rural housing.
About the role:
This is an exciting opportunity to join our small but professional and friendly development team to continue the delivery of our high quality new build homes programme. We design our homes to high-standards, incorporating local architectural features. Our fabric first approach to design and construction, coupled with our commitment to renewable energy technologies, aims to reduce environmental impact and running costs for our residents. We build small scale schemes of quality homes that are in keeping with the village. Our approach involves forming a community-led local partnership to research, enable and deliver affordable rural homes.
Working under the leadership of the Development Director and collaboratively with internal colleagues and external consultants and contractors. The role will be to fully coordinate from inception working with Rural Housing Enablers, site acquisition and planning through to completion with the day-to-day project management of rural exception site housing delivery (noting, we do deliver some through selective Section 106 planning schemes with housing developers). Our typical land lead sites are around eight to twelve affordable homes, and may incorporate some open market housing to provide some necessary cross subsidy funding.
About you:
To succeed in this role, you will have a proven track record in working and successfully delivering affordable housing development and preferably rural housing. You will need excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work both collaboratively but also be an independent self-starter. It takes a special person with professionalism, enthusiasm, initiative, tenacity and a great deal of pride in the end product to stay the course and deliver these small, often challenging yet ultimately rewarding community lead housing schemes. The right candidate will also ideally have some technical construction experience, either from formal qualification or direct housing delivery. English Rural is looking to invest in and develop the right candidate to grow with our business.
If you feel excited by the challenges posed by this role, we would love to hear from you!
Closing date for applications: 12pm on Monday 8th June 2026
Interviews: Tuesday 23rd June 2026 (to be held in our London office)
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Please advise if there are any restrictions to your residency in the UK that might affect your right to take up employment in the UK.
English Rural Housing Association is committed to equal opportunities and values diversity in its workforce.
No agencies please.
Development Project Officer employer: English Rural Housing Association
Contact Detail:
English Rural Housing Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Project Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the housing development sector, especially those who work with rural communities. Attend local events or webinars to make connections and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for affordable housing! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your enthusiasm for community-led projects and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching English Rural's projects and values. Tailor your answers to reflect their commitment to quality homes and renewable energy, showing that you're on the same page.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in rural housing.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Project Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Development Project Officer role. Highlight your experience in affordable housing development and any relevant skills that match what we're looking for. This shows us you're genuinely interested and have done your homework!
Showcase Your Passion: We love candidates who are passionate about rural communities and affordable housing. In your application, share why this role excites you and how you can contribute to our mission at English Rural. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just click the apply button and follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at English Rural Housing Association
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the ins and outs of affordable housing development, especially in rural areas. Brush up on English Rural's projects and values, so you can show how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about community and making a difference. Be ready to share why you're passionate about affordable housing and rural communities. Personal stories or experiences can really make you stand out!
✨Prepare for Collaboration
Since the role involves working with various stakeholders, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others. Highlight your communication skills and how you can work both independently and as part of a team.
✨Ask Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, have some thoughtful questions ready. Ask about their future projects or how they measure success in their developments. This shows you're genuinely interested and engaged with the role.