Housing Strategy Officer (Development)

Buckinghamshire Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the United Kingdom seeks a Housing Strategy Officer to enhance affordable housing delivery. You will evaluate planning applications, lead the Housing Strategy implementation, and engage with stakeholders to improve community housing solutions. The ideal candidate will possess a planning background and strong data analysis skills. The position offers training opportunities and is essential in shaping the future housing initiatives. A proactive approach and effective communication skills are vital for this role.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Discounts on Cafés and gyms

Generous Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Solid background in planning and development.
• Knowledge of affordable housing delivery and temporary accommodation is desirable.
• Strong data analysis skills to interpret and present insights.
• Proactive approach to learning with willingness to grow.
• Effective communication skills across platforms.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate planning applications and advise on affordable housing.
• Lead and implement the Council's Housing Strategy.
• Provide insights on housing trends to inform decisions.
• Maintain stakeholder relationships and represent the Council.
• Engage with development scheme management.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Planning and development

Stakeholder management

Adaptability

Education

Background in planning and development

Job description

We are looking for a proactive Housing Strategy Officer to join our newly restructured Housing Development Team. Our primary goal is to help increase physical housing stock (primarily affordable housing) within Buckinghamshire to meet the needs of our residents.

This is an exciting time to join the Council as we are in the midst of change and transition, with a new Local Plan being developed, and the Housing Strategy being adopted last year. This role will therefore be integral to shaping the future affordable housing delivery in Buckinghamshire through a wide selection of projects.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively neworganisation that combines the strengths and expertiseof the previousfive councils in the countytocreate positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to providestronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

About the role

As a Housing Strategy Officer working in Housing Development, you will be involved in a wide range of enabling activities such as providing advice to colleagues on planning applications and liaising with critical third party partners. The role offers a unique opportunity to understand legislative impacts, shape strategies, work practically with housing providers and see physical delivery of properties on the ground. We are able to offer you training opportunities to grow into the role.

Key responsibilities:

• Evaluate planning applications and advise on affordable housing provision in line with policy.
• Lead, develop, monitor and ensure implementation of the Council’s wider Housing Strategy and its associated delivery plans. This includes collecting KPI monitoring data from Registered Providers.
• Provide insight on housing trends, risks, and best practices in a data-driven manner to inform decision-making.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships and represent the Council in forums and partnerships.
• Support the management team in working across the Council to ensure homelessness and housing delivery are core elements to other relevant strategies.
• Engage with development scheme management and the governance processes.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

The ideal candidate will have:

• Essential: A solid background in planning and development.
• Desirable: Knowledge of Registered Provider operations, affordable housing delivery and/or an understanding of wider housing services such as temporary accommodation.
• Analytical mindset: Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret and present insights clearly.
• Adaptability: A proactive approach to learning, with a willingness to grow and develop on the job.
• Communication skills: Confident in communicating effectively across a range of platforms and audiences.

Other information

Please see the attached job summary for further information on this role and person specification.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.