The Opportunity
Saxon Weald is seeking an experienced and strategic Executive Director of Assets and Development to lead its long-term approach to asset management, property safety, sustainability and growth. Managing approximately 7,000 homes across Sussex and Hampshire, Saxon Weald is a charitable community benefit society with a clear purpose: to enable positive life chances by providing safe and secure homes. Through its 2026–2029 Corporate Plan, Delivering Better Together, the organisation is focused on providing better homes, better services and stronger communities.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and joining the Executive Leadership Team, the Executive Director of Assets and Development will take overall responsibility for Saxon Weald’s property portfolio, ensuring homes are safe, compliant, well maintained and able to meet the changing needs of customers. This is a broad executive leadership role spanning strategic asset management, property safety, investment, sustainability, development and sales.
The Role
The successful candidate will lead the development and delivery of Saxon Weald’s Asset Management Strategy and long-term investment plans, while ensuring absolute compliance with landlord health, property and building safety legislation and regulation. They will also develop and deliver the organisation’s asset data strategy, driving continuous improvement in data quality, and will oversee disposal, land management and portfolio optimisation activity.
A key priority will be ensuring homes meet required regulatory standards, including Decent Homes, while supporting Saxon Weald’s ambition to achieve EPC C by 2030 and decarbonise its existing homes by 2050. The role will also provide strategic leadership across development and redevelopment, ensuring opportunities are supported by robust financial and risk management.
The Executive Director will identify and evaluate growth opportunities and strategic partnerships that support organisational objectives and deliver value for money, while maintaining a strong focus on customer outcomes. They will ensure customers are appropriately informed and engaged on building safety, compliance and planned investment in their homes, and will continue to improve the customer experience associated with asset programmes.
About You
Saxon Weald is looking for an established senior leader with significant experience across asset management, property safety, development or a closely related area within social housing. Candidates will need to demonstrate executive or senior strategic leadership experience, including reporting to Boards or Committees, alongside strong knowledge of property safety legislation, the statutory compliance framework for registered providers, asset management principles and investment planning.
The successful candidate should also have a good understanding of the financial, legal and regulatory requirements affecting social housing, as well as housing development, regeneration and commercial approaches to new housing delivery. They will bring experience of managing organisational risk, financial viability and value for money, together with a track record of developing and delivering asset management, property safety or development strategies.
Strong leadership capability will be essential, including experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, delivering organisational change and continuous improvement, interpreting complex financial and operational information, and communicating clearly with a wide range of audiences. You will bring high levels of emotional intelligence and self-awareness, with a reflective leadership style and a genuine commitment to learning, personal growth and continuous improvement. Strong influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills will also be important.
A relevant professional qualification or chartered membership, such as RICS, CIOB or equivalent, would be advantageous but is not essential. Experience of large-scale development or regeneration, strategic partnerships, land acquisition, disposal strategies or portfolio optimisation would also be welcomed.
Package and Benefits
Alongside a competitive salary, the role offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, pension contributions matched up to a maximum of 12%, a healthcare cashback scheme, access to a virtual GP and additional health and wellbeing services, an electric vehicle car lease scheme via salary exchange, cycle to work scheme, gym and local supplier discounts, life assurance at four times annual salary and payment of one professional membership subscription each year.
How to Apply
For more information please reach out to Tom Neely at Neemar Search () or Eliot Jeffries at Neemar Search ( or ).
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Saxon Weald is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and values-led organisation. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Our recruitment process is fair and accessible, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please let us know if there’s anything we can do to support you.
By submitting your application, you consent to Neemar Search sharing your details with relevant third parties as part of the recruitment process.
Executive Director of Assets and Development in Crawley employer: Saxon Weald
Saxon Weald is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults in West Sussex. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer a supportive work culture that values compassion and teamwork, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a flexible work schedule and a commitment to safeguarding our residents' independence.
