Assistant Director - Development and Sales

We own and manage around 7,500 homes across South-West Hertfordshire, with a focus on providing much-needed homes for lower-income households. As a Community Gateway organisation, we’re committed to putting our tenants at the heart of everything we do. We encourage our tenants to become members so they can vote and make decisions which help to shape what we do.

Do you want to make a difference? We are a dynamic organisation, committed to delivering good quality and much needed affordable homes that help transform communities in South-West Hertfordshire and change lives for the better. We are proud to have built a strong reputation as a trusted partner in the region. We forge successful relationships with other organisations, because we know that partnership working allows us to achieve our goals and do more for the people in our communities. These include our innovative joint ventures with key local authorities, which enable us to develop excellent new affordable homes cost-effectively.

As Assistant Director of Development and Sales, you’ll be responsible for development and commercial activity delivered by Watford Community Housing and its wider Group of subsidiaries and Joint Ventures. You will:

• Ensure the successful delivery of new homes in line with WCH’s Business plan, with a strong emphasis on quality and sustainability.
• Initiate and grow relationships with stakeholders instrumental to WCH’s growth including funders, construction partners, customers, and Joint Venture partners.
• Ensure WCH’s development and commercial activity is delivered in accordance with the Group’s policies, processes, and funding authority requirements, maintaining cost control, alert to risk, and engaging effectively with internal and external customers.
• Lead on achieving commercial and sales income in line with Business Plan and appraisal assumptions.
• Lead the Partnerships Team and play a full role in the Group’s Leadership Team, contributing to business development, achievement of high performance and targets and overall success and growth of business through the application of leadership, business, and professional technical skills.

We’re looking for someone who shares our values and brings the technical and leadership skills necessary to deliver on our growth ambitions. Do you have:

• A strong track record in leading teams to deliver complex development programmes?
• High level of skill in developing and maintaining excellent relationships with stakeholders, including experience of working at senior level with Local Authorities, Boards and Committees?
• Commercial awareness, experience in business and financial planning processes and expert use of appraisal software?
• An open, effective communication style that builds trust in others?

Essential:

• Experience in delivering successful and complex development programmes.
• Experience in bidding for and delivering Homes England funded programmes.
• Expert use of appraisal software.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of housing development and relevant financial, legal, and statutory requirements.
• Experience of working at senior level with Boards and Committees.
• High level of skill in developing and maintaining excellent relationships with stakeholders.
• Relevant experience in business and financial planning processes.
• Degree level education or equivalent through relevant training and/or experience.
• Relevant professional qualification e.g., RICS, CIH, MBA.

Desirable:

• Experience of development through joint ventures.
• Understanding of economic development.
• Experience in sales and marketing of new homes.

We offer a range of benefits including 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata), an employer pension contribution of up to 11%, development opportunities and access to a comprehensive employee rewards scheme.

We are committed to embracing the most positive aspects of agile working. We take a blended approach to how we work, so that colleagues have the flexibility to strike the right balance between working in our communities, in our shared spaces and remotely. With digital technology at the heart of our work, teams and individuals are empowered to decide the best way to meet the needs of their role.

If this sounds like your next role, click ‘apply now’, tell us why you’ve got what it takes and send us a copy of your current CV. Please ensure you refer to the shortlisting criteria. Would like to know more? For an informal conversation about the role, please contact the HR team. The closing date is 15 April 2025, but please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a large response. First round interviews will take place on 25 April 2025.