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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: Hybrid work model 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 in Kent 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 in Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people 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
Prepare for interviews by researching English Rural and its projects. Show us you’re passionate about affordable housing and have ideas on how to contribute to our mission. Tailor your responses to reflect our values!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role requires excellent interpersonal abilities, consider mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine how you present your experience and ideas.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at English Rural.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Project Officer in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Development Project Officer. We want to see how your skills can contribute to our mission of providing affordable homes in rural communities.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for rural housing shine through! We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in local communities, so share your motivation and any relevant experiences that showcase this passion.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the team!
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 gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at English Rural.
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.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Development Project Officer, you'll need to work collaboratively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated and built relationships in past roles, highlighting your interpersonal skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Initiative
This role requires a self-starter attitude. Think of instances where you've taken the lead on projects or solved problems independently. Be ready to discuss how your initiative has led to successful outcomes in previous positions.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the company's future projects, community engagement strategies, or their approach to sustainability. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.