Director of Partnerships & New Business in Watford

Watford Community Housing is a community-focused housing association with a strong social purpose. We own and manage around 7,700 homes and associated assets across South-West Hertfordshire and North-West London, with a clear commitment to delivering high-quality homes and thriving communities. As a Community Gateway housing association, we place residents at the heart of decision-making, ensuring our services and growth plans reflect local needs and ambitions.

As we continue to grow, strengthen our partnerships and build on our V1, G1, and C1 ratings we are seeking to appoint a Director of Partnerships & New Business. This is a key senior leadership role that will shape our approach to growth, land acquisition and partnership working – particularly with our key local authority partners – ensuring we deliver the right homes, in the right places, in the right way.

It is an exciting time to be joining us. We are currently in discussions with Thrive Homes regarding a proposed merger that would create a new Community Gateway housing association with more than 13,000 homes. Subject to approval, the successful candidate will become Director of Partnerships & New Business Designate for the new organisation, playing a central role in aligning teams, cultures and approaches to partnership working, development and growth.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Partnerships & New Business will lead on identifying, securing and delivering new development and regeneration opportunities. Working closely with colleagues across the whole organisation and with our stakeholders, partners, and customers, you will ensure growth ambitions are aligned with investment priorities, customer needs and long-term sustainability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with local authorities, funders, landowners, joint venture partners and other key stakeholders.
• Leading the strategic vision and delivery of partnerships, new business and development growth across the organisation.
• Identifying, evaluating and securing land, development and regeneration opportunities, including joint ventures and partnership models.
• Playing a pivotal role in aligning cultures, behaviours and ways of working across teams, particularly in the context of a potential merger.
• Building strong collaboration across directorates to ensure growth, investment and asset priorities are fully aligned.
• Leading negotiations and structuring agreements to secure opportunities that deliver value for money and meet business plan objectives.
• Ensuring development and partnership activity meets regulatory requirements, governance standards and consumer expectations.
• Providing clear, data-driven performance leadership, ensuring delivery against targets, budgets and agreed programmes.
• Producing robust assurance and performance reporting for the Executive Team, Board and Committees.
• Building, motivating and empowering high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and values-led culture.
• Representing Watford Community Housing professionally and positively, promoting a strong partnership ethos and reputation in the market.

We are looking for a senior leader who brings:

• Significant experience in partnerships, development, regeneration or new business within a complex organisation.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to balance risk, return, quality and social value.
• A proven track record of securing land, partnerships or development opportunities through negotiation and collaboration.
• Experience of working confidently with Executive Teams, Boards, Committees and governance frameworks.
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style, with experience of leading through change and aligning teams and cultures.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, particularly across organisational and sector boundaries.
• A clear commitment to customer outcomes, place-making and the social purpose of Watford Community Housing.
• A relevant professional qualification is desirable but not essential.

If you are a forward-thinking, partnership-led leader who can help align people, culture and growth ambitions while delivering homes and opportunities that make a real difference, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact our consultants at Neemar Search for a confidential discussion.