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- Tasks: Shape housing strategies and provide expert advice as an Independent Board Member.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority serving 1.8 million residents.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a £6,000 allowance, and support for unpaid carers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on housing in Essex while developing your career in a transformative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience at director level in residential development and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Role involves attending monthly board meetings and requires mobility across the operational area.
The predicted salary is between 5000 - 7000 £ per year.
Job Description
Essex Housing Independent Board Member
Fixed-Term, Part-Time
Allowance of £6,000 per annum + expenses
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
This is a fixed term post for three years, working circa 18 days per year, with an allowance of £6,000 per annum, plus expenses.
As an Independent Board Member, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the housing strategies of Essex County Council and its partners. Through Essex Housing Development LLP, you’ll help address the growing need for specialist, affordable, and market housing across the county.
By offering strategic insight, constructive challenge, and innovative thinking, you will support Essex Housing’s performance and ensure effective, forward-looking decision-making at board level.
Working in close partnership with the existing Board and serving as a trusted advisor, this role will play a critical part in shaping the strategic direction of Essex Housing. It will provide independent counsel to the Chair and Board during a period of profound transformation in local government across Essex.
Over the next three years, the establishment of a new strategic mayoral authority and the creation of unitary authorities will fundamentally reshape the local governance landscape. These changes will replace all existing local authorities in Essex, including Essex County Council—Essex Housing’s current parent organisation. In this evolving context, the role will be instrumental in ensuring Essex Housing remains agile, forward-looking, and aligned with the region’s emerging governance structures.
This role requires you to influence strategic housing delivery by building strong relationships with senior leaders across Essex County Council, central government, and key partners.
Role responsibilities will include:
- Provide expert advice on housing development while upholding high standards for Essex Housing.
- Support the Chair in setting the Board’s strategic direction in line with statutory objectives.
- Offer constructive challenge on current and proposed housing projects.
- Help ensure confidence in Essex Housing’s stability and viability among key stakeholders.
- Provide industry insight and expertise specific to residential development and commercial property transactions and innovative approaches to achieving financial sustainability and viability, e.g. land acquisition and raising capital.
- Attend the Essex Housing Board, which will meet circa monthly and other events as required.
- To further the aims of Essex Housing, making sure that it keeps within its objectives.
- Work with the Chairman and other Board Members to direct and control the affairs of Essex Housing.
- To take part in formulating and reviewing the mission, strategic aims and values of Essex Housing, making sure they remain valid and relevant.
- Working with other Board members to ensure that policies and practices of Essex Housing are in keeping with its aims.
- To monitor the performance of Essex Housing, ensuring it is solvent, effectively run and holding the executive to account.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
With extensive subject matter expertise in residential development, at a senior level, you will have experience of operating at director level or similar for a reputable residential developer or housing organisation, contributing to their strategic aims.
You will be able to demonstrate an ability to work with site appraisals, viability assessments and business cases, considering advice from surveyors, project managers and financial and legal experts. You will also bring skills in understanding and responding to different perspectives and working in a complex environment.
Above all, you will have excellent communication skills, confident in building strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders, politicians, other board members and the development team to oversee, challenge and drive forward the Essex Housing development programme.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
To apply, please click on the apply button.
Closing date: 3rd August 2025.
Interview date: 13th August 2025.
Essex Housing Independent Board Member employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Essex Housing Independent Board Member
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the current housing strategies and policies of Essex County Council. Understanding their objectives will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current and former board members or stakeholders involved in Essex Housing. Building these connections can provide you with insider insights and potentially valuable recommendations that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in residential development and how it aligns with the strategic direction of Essex Housing. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've influenced housing projects or policies in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the local governance changes in Essex, especially regarding the establishment of the new strategic mayoral authority. Showing awareness of these developments will highlight your proactive approach and understanding of the evolving landscape.
We think you need these skills to ace Essex Housing Independent Board Member
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Independent Board Member position. Make sure you understand the responsibilities and expectations, especially regarding strategic insight and housing development.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in residential development and any previous roles at a director level or similar. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise and how it aligns with the role.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, provide examples of how you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders in the past. This could include working with local authorities, government officials, or other board members.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your application materials to reflect the values and objectives of Essex Housing. Mention your commitment to integrity and ethical behaviour, as well as your understanding of the evolving governance landscape in Essex.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of an Independent Board Member. Familiarise yourself with Essex Housing's current strategies, challenges, and the local governance landscape. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Prepare Relevant Examples
Think of specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in residential development and strategic decision-making. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully influenced housing projects or navigated complex environments.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role requires building strong relationships with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated with board members, politicians, and other key figures in previous roles.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about Essex Housing’s future direction, the impact of local government changes, and how they envision the role of the Independent Board Member. This shows your genuine interest and strategic thinking.
