Housing Engagement and Inclusion Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to join Runnymede Borough Council as we continue our positive work in the Housing Service. Runnymede Borough Council is a social landlord to 3,000 households. Our Housing Engagement and Inclusion Officer plays a key role in ensuring tenants have a strong voice in shaping our services. They make sure tenant feedback is actively considered and that we clearly communicate how this has influenced housing services. This is an exciting time to join Runnymede as we build on the strong progress already made in developing tenant-led engagement.

The Engagement and Inclusion Officer is responsible for:

• Increasing the level, channels and quality of meaningful opportunities to influence and scrutinise the Council’s Housing strategies, policies and services.
• Assisting tenants who wish to implement tenant-led activities to influence and scrutinise our strategies, policies and services.
• Identifying opportunities, and providing support, so all tenants have opportunities to make their views known.
• Good understanding of the use of digital engagement.
• Identifying service improvements from tenants’ feedback and for updating tenants on how their views have made a difference.
• Assisting with evidencing compliance with regulatory standards by maintaining accurate records, evidence and performance information relating to tenant engagement and influence.

We would prefer a minimum of one year working with customers in a Housing or public service organisation, preferably with an understanding of the regulatory requirements of the registered provider of social housing. However, we would welcome applications from anyone with transferable skills.

The Council is committed to meaningful engagement with our customers and keen to demonstrate how we embrace the expectations of the Regulator of Social Housing to treat tenants with fairness and respect, to take tenants’ views into account in decision-making and to show how tenants' views have been considered.

The Housing department staff are friendly and hard working. Following our regulatory judgement, we are accelerating our Improvement Plan and committing additional resources to deliver demonstrably excellent services for our tenants and to evidence our improvement journey.

Benefits:

• Hybrid working: 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home.
• Flexible working and Flexi-leave.
• 29 Days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Excellent Pension Scheme.
• Free Parking.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Payment of one professional membership per annum.
• Cycle to work further related discounts.
• Season ticket loan.
• Health insurance plan after 1 years’ service/ Dental after 3 years' service.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Mileage allowance.

Interview Date: 29th July 2026

Salary: Please note that Runnymede Borough Council is currently undertaking a pay and grading review, which is expected to be implemented during the summer. The successful applicant will be appointed under the Council’s current grading and salary structure and, following implementation of the new framework, will be assimilated into the revised pay structure in line with all existing employees. The grading in the new pay structure for this role will be RBC5 with a salary range of £38,434 - £42,012.

We are looking for exceptional candidates with a range of skills, including:

• Great interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with residents, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with others to achieve goals.
• Confident using Microsoft Office packages such as Co Pilot, PowerPoint, Teams, Word, Excel and Forms.
• Skilled at using surveys, focus groups and other methods to gain meaningful feedback and customer insight.
• Good understanding of best practice in producing newsletters and other effective customer engagement methods.
• Good understanding of the use of digital engagement methods and of good practice in increasing digital inclusion.
• Minimum of one year working with customers in a Housing or public service organisation, preferably with an understanding of the regulatory requirements of a registered provider of social housing.

Runnymede is an ambitious, passionate, and progressive council with a forward-thinking attitude and award-winning departments. As a Borough Council, we are committed to our core values which we demonstrate through our ongoing policies and projects. We continually strive to improve our services and welcome innovative and proactive individuals who are open-minded and have a positive approach in supporting our vision.

From March 2027, Runnymede Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey Unitary Council as part of the Local Government Reorganisation across Surrey. West Surrey will bring together the full range of local government services under one organisation, creating simpler, more efficient and more responsive services for our communities. As one of the largest unitary authorities in the country, West Surrey will serve a diverse population across a region with a strong economy, vibrant communities, and significant opportunities for growth and innovation. The scale and variety of our work will provide a wide range of career pathways, professional development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to shaping an ambitious, modern, resident-focused council. It is an exciting time to join us as we build West Surrey together.

Runnymede Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults with care support needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be requested to present your identification at the interview stage and there will be several checks conducted during the onboarding process inclusive of an enhanced DBS check for specified roles. All applications are handled in compliance with our privacy policy.

We understand that some applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with preparing their applications. All submitted information whether supported by AI or not must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience, and qualifications. Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.