Development Officer

NIFHA - Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Association; Holywood; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established housing association based in Holywood is seeking a Development Officer to enhance the delivery of quality affordable homes. The ideal candidate will possess a level six qualification in a related field or have significant experience in the housing sector. Responsibilities include managing development processes, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring project timelines and budgets are met. This role offers a permanent contract with various employee benefits including flexible working hours, a contributory pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

23 days annual leave (increasing to 29)

Contributory pension scheme

Health cash plan

Cycle to Work scheme

Free employee health checks

Qualifications

• At least 1 year in a related role within the housing or construction sector.
• Experience managing development projects in terms of budget and timeline.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of high-quality homes across various tenures.
• Manage site identification, acquisition, and project management.
• Maintain Development Department procedures and audit systems.

Skills

Stakeholder communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Technical drawing understanding

Computer literacy

Education

Level six qualification (e.g. bachelor’s degree)

Alternatively, 3 years experience in housing development

Job description

• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Job Ref: FHA04394

The Development Officer will support the Development management team in the delivery of high-quality homes across a range of tenures. The role involves all aspects of development from inception to handover and final closure, encompassing:

• Site identification, acquisition, feasibility, design, planning,, project management, marketing and sales, and health and safety regulations.

Location: Holywood and elsewhere as needed

Reference: FHA04394

Who We Are

Radius Housing provides quality and affordable social housing in over 80 towns and cities throughout Northern Ireland. We provide a range of services, from sheltered housing for the over 55’s and general needs housing for families and single people, as well as specialist care and support facilities for the frail, elderly, people with dementia and learning disabilities and other complex needs.

The major developer of homes in Northern Ireland and build and release around 400 homes every year, both properties for rent, and for private sale.

We incorporate design of community spaces that are designed to impact positively on residents and to support healthier lifestyles and create significant employment within the Northern Ireland construction sector.

Our aim is to be an employer of choice and to recruit employees who will embrace our vision and values and fulfil our performance standards within their role.

What we Offer

We offer a range of benefits to employees including:

• 23 days annual leave (increasing to 29 with requisite continuous service) plus 13 additional statutory /customary days per annum pro rata
• Great on-job training and development opportunities
• A contributory pension scheme
• A health cash plan which can provide help with dental, optician and medical costs (including cover for dependent children in full time education up to 18 years of age), and 24/7 access to GPs and Counselling Services
• Membership of Perks – offering deals and discounts from hundreds of big brands
• Free employee health checks
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Flexibility regarding working hours is also offered in some areas of the business.
• This role has been assessed for smart working, which may include a £250 annual remote working allowance.

We are now looking for a Development Officer to operate and maintain Development Department procedures and audit systems in line with quality management systems and external Agency auditing requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

To be shortlisted candidates need to provide evidence of the following as a minimum:

1. Level six qualification (e.g. bachelor’s degree, Graduate diploma) or above in an related discipline such as Building/Property/Design, and at least 1 year in a related role within social / private housing environment or construction arena, i.e. contributing to the delivery of housing / construction projects / property market sales / land & property acquisitions. OR
2. At least three years’ previous experience (within the last 8) of working in a Housing Association / Private/Public Sector property development team, with demonstrable team working experience, contributing directly to delivery of new development projects including residential development.
3. Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, both in person and via written correspondence managing challenging discussions when required.
4. Development project management experience, with demonstrable ability to meet targets in relation to specification, timeline and budget, with the ability to work on a range of projects simultaneously effectively.
5. Computer literate with demonstrable experience and understanding of spreadsheets, cash flows and economic appraisals.
6. Demonstratable understanding and experience of technical drawings and contract documentation.
7. A current full driving licence and access to a suitable form of transport* (where an applicant indicates that a disability prohibits them from driving, this criterion will be waived at the shortlisting stage. In such circumstances, consideration will be given in any subsequent offer of appointment to suitable alternative arrangements that the candidate may be able to put in place that would enable them to meet the travel requirements for the post).

Closing date for applications is 25 th January 2026 unless otherwise stated.

Radius reserves the right to enhance criteria to facilitate shortlisting.

Association wide waiting lists may be compiled for future same or similar vacancies permanent / fixed term which may arise.

Radius is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

• Radius Housing, 3-7 Redburn Square, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9HZ