Housing Officer

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.
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. 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.
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.
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.
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.
A solid background in planning and development.
Knowledge of Registered Provider operations, affordable housing delivery and/or an understanding of wider housing services such as temporary accommodation.
Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret and present insights clearly.
health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
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
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. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.
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 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.