At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead grant funding programmes and oversee development systems for affordable housing.
- Company: Join SettleParadigm, the largest housing group in the region with a social purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities by delivering high-quality, affordable homes.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in affordable residential development and strong experience with Homes England and GLA funding.
The predicted salary is between 94385 - 94385 £ per year.
The full job description covers all associated skills, previous experience, and any qualifications that applicants are expected to have.
Salary: £94,385 + £4,936 salary supplement + excellent benefits
Location: Wooburn Green, High Wycombe OR Letchworth Garden City
Hybrid working: A minimum of 2 days per week in the office, 3 days per week from home
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday-Friday)
Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose? At SettleParadigm, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 30,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising the number of new affordable homes we build. Through our merger we’ve brought together shared values, skills and ambition, so we can build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve. If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.
Are you an experienced development professional with a passion for funding, systems, assurance and programme excellence? This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of our development pipeline and help deliver the affordable homes our communities need.
About the Role
We’re looking for a strategic, collaborative and commercially minded Head of Programme & Systems (Development) to lead our grant funding programme, development systems and programme assurance activity. This is a core leadership role at the heart of our Development & Regeneration Directorate, ensuring our programme is well-funded, well-managed and delivered with confidence. You’ll be the organisation's expert on Homes England and GLA funding, leading bids, managing grant programmes and ensuring full compliance with regulatory and audit requirements. You’ll also oversee the systems, processes and reporting that underpin our development activity, ensuring our teams have the tools, information and governance they need to deliver high-quality, affordable homes at scale. And you will act as a vital link to our Finance team on behalf of the wider Department. Working closely with the Director of New Business & Partnerships, fellow Heads of Service and your own team, you’ll play a key role in managing risk, supporting strategic decision-making and ensuring our programme of around 500 new homes per year is delivered effectively, efficiently and in line with our Development Strategy. This is a role for someone who enjoys variety, influence and impact, combining programme leadership, financial insight, systems expertise and strong relationship management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead our grant funding programme with Homes England, GLA and local partners, maximising public funding for our development portfolio
- Manage funding bids and compliance, ensuring schemes meet all regulatory and audit requirements
- Act as the organisation's key contact for Homes England, GLA and other funding bodies
- Oversee recycled capital grant fund (RCGF) returns and ensure best use of available funding
- Lead development systems and processes including SDS ProVal, Sequel and integration with corporate systems
- Ensure accurate programme reporting across KPIs, scorecards, financial commitments and risk
- Support financial modelling and investment analysis for new schemes and programme planning
- Provide assurance to the Director, Executive Board and governance forums
- Champion continuous improvement across systems, processes and programme management
- Lead and develop a high-performing team of programme, systems and process specialists
- Act as a senior leader within the Development & Regeneration Directorate
What We’re Looking For
You’re a confident, credible and values-driven leader who brings together commercial acumen, development expertise and a collaborative mindset. You enjoy working with funders, partners and internal teams, and you’re skilled at balancing detail with strategic oversight. You’re someone who:
- Builds trusted relationships with funders and partners
- Brings clarity to complex funding and compliance requirements
- Champions good systems, strong processes and high-quality reporting
- Leads with integrity, openness and a commitment to continuous improvement
- Thrives in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment
Must haves:
- At least 8 years experience delivering affordable residential development at scale
- Strong experience with Homes England and GLA funding, including IMS/OPS
- Proven track record of successful audits and compliance assurance
- Significant experience in development appraisals, risk management and programme oversight
- Strong commercial acumen and contract management experience
- Experience establishing effective systems, processes and controls
- Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams
Nice to haves:
- Experience supporting organisational integration or transformation
- Experience working with regulators, auditors or inspection bodies
- Knowledge of data standards and frameworks across housing services
- Experience in housing, public sector or regulated environments
Benefits
At SettleParadigm, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Our comprehensive benefits and rewards package reflects this commitment.
- Annual salary: £94,385 + £4,936 salary supplement per annum
- 25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
- Generous pension scheme up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
- Family-friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Health cash plan claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids cover)
- Life cover and income protection
- Flexible working hybrid options, modern offices, free parking & EV charging
And that’s just the beginning! We’re also thrilled to provide:
- Mental Health First Aiders available to support
- Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues subject to conditions)
- Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
- 3 paid volunteering days in the local communities
- Peer-recognition rewards platform
- Paid professional subscription (one per year)
Working Hours & Additional Pay
37 hours per week
Monday-Thursday: 09:00-17:30
Friday: 09:00-17:00
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.
Accessibility and Adjustments
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required. Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made. Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.
Closing Date: 28/06/2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.
Head of Programme & Systems (Development) in Bourne End employer: Paradigm Housing
SettleParadigm is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a comprehensive benefits package including generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and flexible working options. With a strong commitment to social purpose and community impact, employees are encouraged to thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment, making a meaningful difference while advancing their careers in the housing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programme & Systems (Development) in Bourne End
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Paradigm Housing.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Paradigm Housing.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Paradigm Housing.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Paradigm Housing. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programme & Systems (Development) in Bourne End
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Paradigm Housing. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Programme & Systems (Development), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Paradigm Housing
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Paradigm Housing. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
