Engagement & Partnership Coordinator

The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) is the leading not-for-profit membership body for councils and social housing providers across the North of England, with 50 years of expertise and influence.

What we are looking for:

We have two exciting vacancies for experienced professionals with strong project management and people skills to join our Housing Partnership team. Our members are our priority, and this role is key in supporting our members to create great homes and places and strengthen local decision making. Knowledge of the housing sector is desirable.

We’re looking for self-starters who can demonstrate confidence and excellent project management skills, with the ability to communicate well with people at all levels within our membership and beyond.

Reporting to the Head of Housing Partnerships you’ll take a lead on delivering secretariat support to Housing Partnerships across the North of England, which will include coordinating and managing meetings, working closely with Chairs, Vice Chairs and managing the admin around multiple workstreams across the Housing Partnerships. The roles are a fantastic opportunity for individuals who can build and maintain relationships, identify opportunities and communicate confidently with a wide range of external stakeholders including Combined Authorities, Mayors and their offices and government agencies.

You’ll work closely across the Policy & External Relations Directorate to support the NHC’s influencing work, making sure it is both informed by, and communicated to, the Housing Partnerships in a way that compliments their priorities and reflects member views.

These roles would suit someone with experience of supporting senior leaders within an organisation. You’ll have excellent organisational, time management, interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver secretariat support to Housing Partnerships across the North of England.
• Coordinate and manage meetings, including collaborating with Chairs, Vice Chairs and other stakeholders.
• Operate within multiple workstreams across Housing Partnerships, ensuring effective administrative support.
• Communicate confidently with a wide range of external stakeholders, including Combined Authorities, Mayors, government agencies and member organisations.
• Work closely with the Policy & External Relations Directorate to align influencing work with member priorities and views.

Qualifications:

• Strong project management and people skills.
• Experience of supporting senior leaders within an organisation.
• Excellent organisational, time-management, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of the housing sector is desirable.

The successful candidates will:

• Work in a friendly and flexible environment with excellent benefits.
• Expand your profile across the whole of the housing sector, meet influential people and build your networks.
• Build knowledge and expertise on devolution, net zero, regeneration, development and the wider operating context of the housing sector in the North.

What we can offer:

• The NHC is a small team, but we make a difference. We aim to offer a rewarding, supportive place to work where we invest in people, and they can be themselves and fulfil their potential, celebrating achievements along the way.
• We have always been an agile organisation, and we continue to utilise technology to ensure work is something you do, not just somewhere you go. We are fully committed to supporting our staff to work in a flexible way that allows them to balance their commitments inside and outside of work.
• We want our people to work in a way that lets them be at their best, whether that’s in our hub office in Sunderland or remotely.
• We meet regularly in person to collaborate as a team at various locations across the North, including Newcastle and York. You will also be required to travel to attend meetings and events to carry out face-to-face work with colleagues and our members, in places across the North.
• We have achieved a Gold accreditation for wellbeing through the Better Health at Work awards.
• We value all our staff for the expertise and perspectives they bring to our organisation. We work inclusively, celebrating diversity while coming together as one team. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Flexible working arrangements:

• The ability to work from a location which suits you.
• Workplace pension scheme offering above statutory contributions.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (increases by one day per year to 30 days).
• Access to Benenden Healthcare and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Bespoke training & development opportunities, including payment towards gaining professional qualifications.
• Mental health and wellbeing supportive employer including our Wellbeing hub with discounts to gyms and numerous online stores.

To apply for these roles, please send your CV and cover letter which demonstrates how you meet the requirements to toenquiries@northern-consortium.org.uk by Friday 21st November 5pm. Interviews will take place on 4th December at our offices in Sunderland.