At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of affordable homes and collaborate with various stakeholders.
- Company: Maldon District Council, committed to community welfare and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, pension scheme, and employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community by enabling affordable housing.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience in housing development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Maldon District Council is working in partnership with Essex Shared Services to support the role of Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer, a full-time position offering hybrid working with an expectation of attending the office 2 days 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 judgment 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.
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
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.
Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer in Maldon employer: Essex County Council
Maldon District Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, generous benefits including a Local Government Pension Scheme, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community through their roles. The Council's dedication to continuous improvement in affordable housing delivery ensures that staff can engage in rewarding work that aligns with local needs and national policies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer in Maldon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing development sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's recent projects and policies. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about affordable housing and how it impacts the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves a lot of discussions around planning applications and Section 106 agreements, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer in Maldon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on your work in housing development and affordable housing delivery. We want to see examples of how you've successfully navigated planning processes or collaborated with external partners.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right place and helps us keep track of all submissions. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of affordable housing policies, planning processes, and Section 106 agreements. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about making a difference in the community.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience in housing development and collaboration with external partners. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see how your skills align with their needs.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Council's current projects, challenges in affordable housing delivery, or their vision for the future. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this role is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
While it's important to be professional, don't forget to let your personality shine through. The Council is looking for someone who can build relationships and work collaboratively, so being genuine and approachable can set you apart from other candidates.
