Housing Strategy Officer in Hereford

An exciting opportunity to join Herefordshire Council’s Strategic Housing Team and help shape housing provision, policy and partnerships across the county. The Strategic Housing Team plays a critical role in helping the council meet its statutory duties as a strategic housing authority. We work across the council, with registered housing providers, partner agencies, government bodies and local communities to understand housing need, develop statutory housing policy, secure funding and deliver programmes that improve housing outcomes for people living in our community.

Our work includes:

• Developing strategic housing policy and evidence
• Researching housing need, analysing legislation, preparing strategies and producing high-quality reports and briefings for senior decision makers.
• Building strong housing partnerships
• Working with registered providers, housing services, health and social care, voluntary organisations and other local authorities to improve housing supply, quality and outcomes.
• Delivering programmes that make a difference
• Supporting commissioning, procurement, governance, funding bids and delivery of strategic housing projects for vulnerable people and households in housing need.

This role helps ensure Herefordshire has the right evidence, partnerships and delivery plans in place to respond to complex housing challenges. The overall goal is to:

• Support the council’s statutory housing duties through robust policy, research, analysis and governance.
• Improve housing outcomes for residents by helping to shape services, partnerships and commissioned provision.
• Secure and maximise funding to support housing strategies, accommodation programmes and service improvements.
• Provide specialist advice to senior managers, councillors, cabinet members and colleagues across directorates.

As a Housing Strategy Officer, you will support the development and delivery of key strategic housing projects and programmes, helping the council respond to housing need, improve services and plan for the future. You will work across policy, commissioning, partnership development, governance and project delivery, producing high-quality analysis and advice that informs decisions and supports positive outcomes for residents.

What will you be doing?

• You will research and analyse housing legislation, policy and local data; prepare strategies, briefings, reports and governance documents; support consultation and engagement; and help coordinate delivery of strategic housing programmes.
• You will research and develop funding bids and work with housing providers, council teams and partner agencies to build strong relationships, manage risks, improve services and support the delivery of accommodation and housing-related priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research, monitor and explain housing legislation, policy and practice to inform strategy and decision making.
• Gather and analyse business intelligence about housing supply, need and demand across social, affordable and targeted housing.
• Draft, edit and present strategies, reports, briefings, funding applications and governance documents.
• Convene and support multi-agency meetings, forums and working groups with housing providers and partners.
• Support commissioning, procurement and redesign of housing-related services and programmes.
• Provide advice to senior managers, councillors, cabinet members and colleagues on strategic housing issues.
• Research, develop and apply for internal and external funding to deliver housing strategies and projects.

About You:

• You will have substantial experience of researching and analysing complex information and preparing clear, high-quality policy, strategy or project documents.
• You will understand strategic housing issues, legislation, policy and practice, and be able to apply this knowledge in a complex and changing environment.
• You will be confident working collaboratively across organisations and professional disciplines, building strong relationships and negotiating effectively.
• You will have strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex material clearly to different audiences.
• You will be organised, diligent and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• You will be self-motivated, adaptable and creative, with the ability to take ideas from development through to delivery.
• You will hold a degree-level qualification or have equivalent extensive professional experience, with evidence of continuing professional development.

We Offer:

• A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• The chance to make a tangible difference to the lives of residents across Herefordshire.

Why Choose Us?

• Work within a supportive, knowledgeable and collaborative strategic housing team.
• Make a meaningful contribution to housing policy, partnerships and delivery across Herefordshire.
• Influence strategic decisions that affect residents, communities and vulnerable households.
• Develop your professional skills across strategy, commissioning, governance, funding and partnership working.

Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment which reflects the communities of Herefordshire. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we can provide supportive and welcoming opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.