At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of affordable homes and collaborate with various stakeholders.
- Company: Maldon District Council, part of an award-winning Housing Service.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse workforce committed to equality and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in affordable housing provision in your community.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience in housing development.
The predicted salary is between 41946 - 47266 £ per year.
Maldon District Council, in partnership with Essex Shared Services, is recruiting for this role within its award‑winning Housing Service, part of the Place, Planning & Growth directorate.
Role Purpose
- Lead on 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.
- 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.
- Work independently, exercising professional judgement to assess development proposals and negotiate affordable housing outcomes that align with Council policy and priorities.
- Collaborate closely with internal services, members, developers, registered providers and external funding bodies to progress affordable housing schemes from concept to delivery.
- Contribute to the development, review and implementation of housing and affordable housing policies, ensuring they reflect local need, national policy and funding frameworks.
- Represent the Council in meetings, negotiations and, where required, public inquiries or hearings relating to the delivery of affordable homes.
- 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 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 role offers hybrid working, competitive pay, opportunities to work within a supportive and collaborative team, and the chance to impact affordable housing provision in the Maldon district.
Equality & Diversity: Maldon District Council is an equal opportunities employer. We seek to maintain a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified candidates.
Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer - Maldon Council in Witham employer: Essex County Council
Maldon District Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on affordable housing provision in the district. With competitive pay, hybrid working options, and opportunities for professional growth, employees are encouraged to develop their skills while contributing to the community's needs. The council values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that all qualified candidates feel welcome and valued in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer - Maldon Council in Witham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing development sector, especially those connected to Maldon Council. Attend local events or webinars to make connections and show your enthusiasm for affordable housing.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of planning processes and affordable housing policies. We want you to be able to discuss how you can contribute to the council's goals confidently!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with real-life examples during interviews. Talk about specific projects you've worked on that relate to affordable housing delivery and how you navigated challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Housing Development Enabling Officer - Maldon Council in Witham
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 work history, focus on your experience in housing development and planning processes. We want to see how you've successfully navigated similar challenges in the past, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can process your application smoothly.
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 and the planning process. Familiarise yourself with Maldon District Council's current projects and challenges in housing development, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience in housing development and negotiations. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders, like developers and local authorities, to secure affordable housing outcomes.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about the council's future housing strategies or how they measure success in affordable housing delivery. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the role.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
Since you'll likely need to represent the council in meetings and negotiations, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable discussing your ideas and experiences.
