Director of Regeneration and Development

London Borough of Tower Hamlets; London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets seeks a Director of Regeneration and Development to lead ambitious housing and regeneration projects. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, financial acumen, and a collaborative approach to drive significant community improvements in a diverse and vibrant borough.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in regeneration and development.
• Experience delivering council homes and capital projects.
• Strong financial budgeting and management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of new Council homes and oversee major capital projects.
• Drive economic regeneration spanning from Canary Wharf to Whitechapel.
• Create conditions for local growth and employment pathways.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Acumen

Stakeholder Management

Project Management

Job description

Tower Hamlets is the fastest growing and most densely populated local authority in the UK. More and more people want to live, work, visit and invest in our borough.

We deliver the third largest economic output in the UK with areas such as Canary Wharf and is a prime location for business and residential developments as our borough borders The City, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the River Thames.

Tower Hamlets also has London’s highest housing target and the youngest average age, all within one of capital’s smallest geographical boundaries. Space is at a premium with flats making up more than 80% of properties in our borough. We also have over 20,000 residents on our housing waiting lists.

We are seeking an experienced regeneration and housing development professional with proven strategic leadership qualities and attributes. A deep understanding of housing supply and commercial challenges and development strategies. A collaborator with exceptional interpersonal skills, a track record in innovation, strong financial acumen and passion for delivering exceptional public services.

As our Director of Regeneration and Development, you will lead our ambitious and exciting housing, regeneration and civic building development programme within one of London’s most vibrant and diverse boroughs.

Reporting to the Corporate Director for Housing & Regeneration David Joyce, you will spearhead key strategies and projects to accelerate our affordable housing supply and deliver an exciting programme of leisure, education and other civic building schemes.

You will also drive regeneration and sustainable growth, while optimising opportunities for residents and local SMEs by creating the conditions for growth and employment pathways.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the direct delivery of a significant programme of new Council homes.
• Overseeing major capital projects from inception to completion.
• Driving economic regeneration in the third biggest economy in the country from the City Fringe to the historic Whitechapel Market to Canary Wharf.
• Harnessing our employment/skills and business support functions to ensure our residents and small businesses benefit and thrive.
• Being an active player in area regeneration, spearheading the delivery of transformational and sustainable regeneration in the Lower Lea Valley (jointly with London Borough of Newham), the Olympic Park and South Poplar.

You’ll be working with a newly appointed Directorate Leadership Team, based in our award- winning Town Hall and with committed and talented staff.

About You

We are seeking an experienced regeneration and development professional, with proven leadership skills and attributes, experience of delivering council homes and major capital projects. A strong financial acumen is essential as well as exceptional stakeholder management skills.

You will need to have demonstrable evidence of leading and delivering a wide range of successful overarching strategies within a large complex organisation. This includes the ability to lead organisational and service change at a corporate level in a challenging environment.

We are looking for an individual who possesses a successful track record of working with stakeholders, excellent service planning and performance management to achieve excellent outcomes.

Financial and commercial awareness, highly effective budgeting and financial management skills are essential. As one of the most visited places in the UK, there are significant opportunities to generate much needed income.

You will be politically sensitive and have a strong belief in the value of local democracy and accountability. You will also have a strong commitment to our values, behaviours and equal opportunity policy, and be ready to demonstrate personal leadership on the importance of diversity.

Our council is a beacon for diversity and inclusion. We want a borough where everyone feels valued and included, and we want a council that collaborates to deliver excellence.

That’s why we look for people with our TOWER values of Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respectful.

Technical interviews: Conducted during w/c 28^th July or w/c 4^th August 2025

Final interview date: Tuesday 9^th September 2025

Contact:

To apply please visit https://execroles.penna.com/

For a confidential conversation about the roles, please contact our retained consultants at Penna:

Pete John on 07701 305617 or email: [e-mail]

Julie Towers on 07764 791736 or email: [e-mail]