At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a Board to drive social change and improve community housing services.
- Company: North Devon Homes, a charity dedicated to providing affordable housing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £7,000 per annum and flexible meeting arrangements.
- Other info: Remote work options with occasional in-person meetings in beautiful North Devon.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing sector boards and strong understanding of customer engagement.
Do you want to be part of a Board and team with a strong social purpose, delivering real change and improvements to the community? North Devon Homes is a successful housing charity based in North Devon, with a turnover of £23 million and 3,300 homes. Our team makes a positive difference to over 8,000 customers across North Devon.
We are looking to recruit a Board Member/Senior Independent Director who can bring real value and experience to our strategic leadership team. We are looking for someone with previous housing sector board experience, a good understanding of business change, innovation and leadership as we refine services in line with customer feedback and respond to the changing regulatory agenda.
A key focus for the organisation is improving the way in which we communicate with our customers and deliver our services. To enhance our current Board’s skills we are ideally looking for someone with a background in one or more of the following areas:
- Customer Engagement and involvement
- Information Technology/Cyber Security
- Finance
- Landlord Safety Compliance
We are always keen to hear from candidates with some of the above experiences who could also bring “lived” experience of being a social housing tenant or as a leaseholder or shared owner.
Our Board is team-focused with a strong sense of collaboration and common purpose of meeting our communities’ needs and fulfilling our vision of ‘creating communities where people want to live’. There are typically 7 Board meetings per year. Currently three of these will be held in person in North Devon, with the remaining four being virtual meetings. In person, meetings tend to incorporate an additional element (e.g. training or strategy away day) to get the most out of the time together.
In addition to main Board meetings, the SID will support the Customer Board Partnership (CBP) by attending their meetings in person, c4-6 meetings per year. As Senior Independent Director (SID), you will support the Chair and Board Members providing independent guidance across the broad spectrum of Board work. As the SID is expected to attend CBP meetings in person, being located within one and a half hours of the organisation’s head office in Barnstaple is advantageous. The Senior Independent Director is also a member of the Group People and Remuneration Committee (4 virtual meetings per year).
As a Disability Confident and Equal Opportunities Employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, including those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups and disabled candidates.
Location: Remote / Barnstaple, Devon
Salary: £7,000 per annum
Closing date for applications: 26th June 2026 @ 10:00am
Interviews: 1st round - w/c 6th July (virtual) Final interview 13th July (in person)
The Company North Devon Homes (NDH) is a registered charity providing affordable homes for people who need them. We are a housing association covering the North Devon district and have over 3,250 homes we are responsible for, providing accommodation to 10,000 total customers.
Senior Independent Director employer: North Devon Homes
North Devon Homes is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community through affordable housing. With a collaborative work culture and a strong focus on employee growth, we offer unique opportunities for Board members to engage with our mission while contributing their expertise in a supportive environment. Located in the beautiful North Devon area, our team thrives on innovation and customer engagement, ensuring that every voice is heard as we strive to create communities where people want to live.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Independent Director
✨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. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that Senior Independent Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research North Devon Homes thoroughly, understand their mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to their community-focused vision will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! During interviews, highlight your previous board experience and any relevant skills in customer engagement or IT. Make it clear how you can bring value to their strategic leadership team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining a team that’s all about making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Independent Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in the housing sector. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission of creating communities where people want to live.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in customer engagement, IT, finance, or compliance can bring value to our Board. We’re looking for real examples that show your impact!
Be Authentic:If you have lived experience as a social housing tenant or leaseholder, share that story! We value authenticity and want to understand how your experiences shape your perspective on our work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you don’t miss any important updates about the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at North Devon Homes
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on North Devon Homes' mission and values. Understand their focus on community improvement and customer engagement. Being able to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals will show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Highlight your previous board experience, especially in the housing sector. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've contributed to strategic leadership or business change in past roles. This will demonstrate your capability to add value to their team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle challenges related to customer communication and service delivery. Think of real-life scenarios where you've successfully navigated similar issues, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and practical knowledge.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Board's current initiatives and future plans. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
