At a Glance
- 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 leave.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid work 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.
The predicted salary is between 35329 - 45090 € per year.
Job Summary
- Area of operation: Development
- Salary: £35,329 to 45,090 (depending on experience)
- Contract: Permanent (37.5 hours per week)
- 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)
- Closing Date: 12pm on Monday 8th June 2026
- Interviews: Tuesday 23rd June 2026 (to be held in our London office)
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‑led 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.
Closing Date for Applications
12pm on Monday 8th June 2026
Equal Opportunities
English Rural Housing Association is committed to equal opportunities and values diversity in its workforce.
Development Project Officer in London employer: English Rural
English Rural Housing Association is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including a Bupa health plan and generous pension scheme, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance through a hybrid working model. Join our passionate team in making a meaningful impact on rural communities across Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, while developing your skills in a collaborative environment focused on delivering high-quality affordable housing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Project Officer in London
✨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 show your passion for affordable housing.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching English Rural and its projects. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your project management skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully delivered housing projects in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨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 contributing to the amazing work we do in rural communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Project Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Development Project Officer role. Highlight your experience in affordable housing development and any relevant technical skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at English Rural!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for rural communities and affordable housing. Tell us why you’re excited about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent communication is key for this role, make sure to demonstrate your interpersonal skills in your application. Whether it's through examples in your CV or your cover letter, show us how you can work collaboratively and independently.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at English Rural
✨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 their approach to community-led housing. This will show your genuine interest and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your project management skills and technical construction knowledge. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your tenacity and problem-solving abilities.
✨Be a Team Player
Since collaboration is key in this role, be ready to discuss how you've worked with others in previous positions. Share stories that illustrate your communication skills and ability to work independently while still being part of a team.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the organisation. This could include inquiries about their future projects or how they measure success in their developments. It shows you're engaged and thinking about how you can contribute to their mission.
