Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer – Maldon District Council in Essex

Maldon District Council is working in partnership with Essex Shared Services to support the recruitment of the role of Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer, a full time position offering hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week.

Role Purpose: To lead on the enabling and delivery of affordable homes across the district, securing the maximum reasonable level of affordable homes through the planning process, Council-led development and partnership working. To act as the Council’s specialist officer on the delivery of affordable homes, providing expert advice on planning applications, viability, Section 106 agreements and funding opportunities. To work independently, exercising professional judgement to assess development proposals and negotiate affordable housing outcomes that align with Council policy and priorities. To collaborate closely with internal services, Members, developers, registered providers and external funding bodies to progress affordable housing schemes from concept to delivery. To contribute to the development, review and implementation of housing and affordable housing policies, ensuring they reflect local need, national policy and funding frameworks. To represent the Council in meetings, negotiations and, where required, public inquiries or hearings relating to the delivery of affordable homes. To support continuous improvement in the supply of affordable homes by identifying risks, opportunities and emerging trends affecting delivery across the district.

Accountabilities – Service Delivery:

• Secure the delivery of affordable homes by maximising opportunities through the planning process, Council-led development and partnership working.
• Provide specialist affordable housing advice on pre-application proposals and planning applications, informing decision-making, negotiations and committee reporting.
• Assess development proposals to optimise the provision of affordable homes, considering tenure mix, unit size, layout, funding availability and viability constraints.
• Work collaboratively with planning, legal, and external advisers to scrutinise viability information and negotiate appropriate outcomes.
• Support the negotiation and implementation of Section 106 agreements, nomination agreements and related mechanisms to secure the delivery of affordable homes in line with policy.
• Maintain oversight of affordable housing schemes, monitoring delivery, tenure mix and compliance with agreed obligations and funding conditions.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with developers, registered providers, landowners and external agencies (for example, Homes England) to progress schemes and strengthen delivery partnerships.
• Responsible for the MHCLG Delta returns relevant to the subject area.
• Contribute to policy development, service improvement and reporting by identifying risks, opportunities and trends affecting affordable housing supply across the district.

The Experience You Will Bring:

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience (e.g. Housing, Environmental Health, Public Protection, Regulatory Services or similar).
• Member of a relevant professional body, or working towards membership, where appropriate (e.g. Chartered Institute of Housing or equivalent).
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) relevant to housing delivery, planning or local authority service delivery relevant to housing, regulatory services or leadership.
• Significant knowledge and experience of working within the specialist subject area.
• Experience of working in housing development, affordable housing delivery or housing enabling within a local authority or similar public sector environment.
• Experience of supporting or securing affordable housing through the planning process, including engagement with planning applications and development proposals.
• Experience of working with external partners such as developers, registered providers, landowners, consultants and statutory agencies.
• Experience of assessing or contributing to discussions on development viability, funding arrangements or delivery constraints to inform negotiations or recommendations.
• Experience of preparing reports, briefings or written advice for senior officers, Members or other decision-makers.
• Experience of representing an organisation in meetings, negotiations or forums with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of managing multiple pieces of work concurrently, prioritising effectively and meeting deadlines within a complex service environment.

Benefits:

• The Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Flexible and agile working
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Discounted local gym membership
• Free parking
• Payment of one annual professional subscription

Maldon District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Disclosure and Barring checks will be undertaken according to the responsibilities of the role. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, culture and experience. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, sex, disability or marital status. Maldon District Council is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. To demonstrate our commitment, we have been accredited as a Disability Confident Employer. As a Disability Confident Employer we take various actions in order to successfully employ and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.