At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting housing development projects and inspire a high-performing team.
- Company: Join two innovative housing associations dedicated to community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and health support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in providing quality homes for communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing development and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 81500 - 81500 € per year.
We have an incredible opportunity to join us as our Head of Development! This is a very unique role where you will be working across two housing associations; Freebridge Community Housing and Saffron Housing. Your role will be to lead the delivery of an exciting new build programme across Saffron and Freebridge. In this strategic leadership role, you’ll drive the successful delivery of high-quality homes that meet the needs of local communities, while ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with regulatory and funding requirements. You’ll inspire and lead a high-performing team, champion value for money, and play a key role in shaping the future growth and impact of both organisations.
Our Freebridge Community Housing goal is to provide affordable, safe, and quality homes for current and future generations, for those who need a place to call home. Freebridge was set up in 2006, to receive the transfer of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk’s housing stock. We now have over 7500 properties across West and North Norfolk, in addition to building new homes for social and affordable rent, and to support those who want to move into shared home ownership. Saffron Housing Trust was created in May 2004 when 4,345 properties were transferred from South Norfolk Council. Today, we are a housing association with over 6,600 homes in Norfolk, Suffolk and across East Anglia.
Please note, this role will require you to work across offices based in King's Lynn and Long Stratton.
Requirements
- Strategic Leadership & Programme Delivery
- Lead the development programme across both organisations, ensuring delivery of agreed targets and long-term strategic objectives.
- Shape and maintain a viable development pipeline, including pre-contract activity and identification of new opportunities.
- Ensure effective management of schemes from feasibility through to completion and handover.
- Support the Commercial Director in developing and delivering development strategies.
- Ensure development activity aligns with organisational priorities, including customer needs, quality standards, and strategic plans.
- Financial & Commercial Management
- Ensure all development activity delivers value for money and strong commercial outcomes.
- Oversee development budgets, cashflow forecasting, and financial reporting in collaboration with Finance.
- Review and approve financial appraisals, contract documentation, and scheme viability assessments.
- Ensure robust cost controls are in place and expenditure remains within approved limits.
- Maximise grant funding opportunities and ensure compliance with funding conditions and audit requirements.
- Work with Procurement to ensure effective contracting and framework arrangements.
- Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure all development activity complies with statutory, regulatory, and funding requirements, including CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022.
- Maintain effective governance, reporting, and control frameworks across the development programme.
- Identify, assess, and manage operational, financial, reputational, and delivery risks.
- Ensure appropriate approvals are obtained in line with financial regulations and standing orders.
- Oversee audit readiness and ensure compliance with internal and external assurance requirements.
- Ensure effective post-completion processes, including handover, defect management, and learning reviews.
- Stakeholder & Partnership Management
- Act as the primary contact for external funders including Homes England and Local Authorities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, including contractors, consultants, and developers.
- Represent the organisations at committee level and external forums as required.
- Ensure effective internal collaboration across departments to support scheme delivery and operational readiness.
- Promote the parent and subsidiary organisations’ values and reputation externally.
- Leadership & Team Management
- Provide clear, visible leadership to the Development team across both organisations.
- Build a high-performing, inclusive, and accountable culture focused on delivery, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Coach, mentor, and develop team members, supporting succession planning and capability building.
- Ensure clear performance management frameworks, KPIs, and reporting structures are in place.
- Promote a culture of learning, innovation, and professional development.
- Performance, Reporting & Improvement
- Report performance against development programme targets to Executive Teams and Committees.
- Use data and insight to drive performance improvement and operational efficiency.
- Continuously review and improve development processes, systems, and service delivery.
- Champion innovation, including digital tools and modern methods of construction where appropriate.
We are looking for someone who has...
- Experience
- Significant experience in housing development, ideally within affordable housing or social housing sectors.
- Proven track record of delivering complex development programmes from inception to completion.
- Experience managing budgets, financial appraisals, and commercial development decisions.
- Experience working with external funders, local authorities, and development partners.
- Skills & Knowledge
- Strong understanding of development processes, construction delivery, and regulatory frameworks.
- Excellent stakeholder management and partnership working skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple organisations.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Leadership
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
- Strong communication skills with experience operating at executive and committee level.
- Ability to operate strategically while maintaining strong operational oversight.
Benefits
What’s in it for you? We’re appreciative of our team and you can enjoy the following benefits from joining us, among many more:
- An Annual Salary of: £81,500
- Generous Holiday Leave: Enjoy 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service
- Exclusive Employee Discounts: Access amazing deals through our Reward Gateway
- Comprehensive Leave Policies: Enjoy 6 months full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks full pay for paternity leave
- Health and Wellbeing Support: Access physio and counselling services, along with an employee assistance programme
- Charitable Leave: One day per year to volunteer for a cause you care about
- Discounted Gym Membership: Stay fit with discounted membership at Alive Leisure
- Pension Scheme: A great pension scheme with generous employer contributions (up to 12%)
Diversity & Inclusion: Diversity is key to our values and culture. We create a workplace where every voice is heard and respected, embracing diverse perspectives to drive innovation. Our inclusive environment empowers colleagues, ensuring equal opportunities for all. We don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. We’re happy to accommodate reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to enable you to perform your best. As part of this commitment, we also offer accessibility tours for candidates to help ensure an inclusive and welcoming experience from the outset.
Head of Development in King's Lynn employer: Freebridge Community Housing
Join us as the Head of Development and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable homes across Norfolk. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer generous holiday leave, comprehensive health support, and a culture that champions diversity and inclusion. This role not only provides an opportunity for strategic leadership but also fosters personal and professional growth in a supportive environment focused on community impact.
Contact Detail:
Freebridge Community Housing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Development in King's Lynn
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the housing sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching both Freebridge Community Housing and Saffron Housing. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in delivering complex development programmes. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact and approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development in King's Lynn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Development role. Highlight your experience in housing development and how it aligns with our mission at Freebridge and Saffron Housing. We want to see how you can contribute to our goals!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading a high-performing team, so don’t hold back on sharing your leadership experiences. Tell us about times you've inspired teams or driven successful projects. We love hearing about your journey!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate clarity, and it helps us understand your qualifications better!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freebridge Community Housing
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of housing development, especially within affordable and social housing sectors. Familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and funding requirements that impact the role. This will not only show your expertise but also your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams. Think about times when you inspired your team or drove a project to success. Be ready to discuss how you foster an inclusive culture and promote continuous improvement within your team.
✨Understand Stakeholder Management
Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, brush up on your relationship-building skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed partnerships in the past, particularly with external funders and local authorities. Highlight any specific strategies you've used to maintain strong relationships.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role, such as budget overruns or compliance issues, and prepare your thought process on how you'd tackle them effectively.
