Housing Development Manager

CIH Scotland; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Modern working environment

Free parking

Electric pool cars

Generous annual leave

LGPS

Learning & development

Benefits package

Job summary

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is seeking a Housing Development Manager to lead a portfolio of affordable housing projects from feasibility to delivery. You’ll work with registered providers and partners to maximise affordable housing in the borough, secure homes via Section 106 and other delivery models, and provide expert development guidance.

The role emphasizes building partnerships, overseeing timelines and governance, and representing the council at consultations and events.

Qualifications

• A degree, professional housing qualification (CIH or RICS) or equivalent relevant experience.
• Proven experience managing housing or property development projects.
• Experience in local government (preferred but not essential).
• Up-to-date knowledge of housing development processes, planning and legal requirements.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• The ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively across multiple organisations.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and make informed decisions confidently.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel to sites and meetings both within and outside the borough.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a portfolio of affordable housing development schemes from feasibility through to delivery.
• Work collaboratively with registered providers and development partners to maximise affordable housing provision across the borough.
• Secure and oversee the delivery of homes through Section 106 agreements and other innovative delivery models.
• Provide expert advice on housing development matters and contribute to strategic housing objectives.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, external organisations and community stakeholders.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, risks and governance arrangements to ensure successful delivery.
• Represent the council at meetings, public consultations and stakeholder events.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Partnerships

Organisational skills

Driving licence

Education

Degree / CIH or RICS

Job description

Help deliver the affordable homes our communities need. Are you passionate about creating high-quality affordable housing and making a lasting difference to local communities? Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is looking for an ambitious and experienced Housing Development Manager to play a key role in delivering our Affordable Housing Programme. This is an exciting opportunity to influence housing delivery across the borough, working on schemes that will provide much-needed homes for residents both now and in the future. As part of our Housing Development Team, you will lead a varied portfolio of development projects from concept through to completion, working with registered providers, developers, consultants and internal stakeholders to maximise affordable housing opportunities. If you are looking for a role where you can shape projects, build partnerships and see the tangible impact of your work, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

• Lead and manage a portfolio of affordable housing development schemes from feasibility through to delivery.
• Work collaboratively with registered providers and development partners to maximise affordable housing provision across the borough.
• Secure and oversee the delivery of homes through Section 106 agreements and other innovative delivery models.
• Provide expert advice on housing development matters and contribute to strategic housing objectives.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with colleagues, external organisations and community stakeholders.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, risks and governance arrangements to ensure successful delivery.
• Represent the council at meetings, public consultations and stakeholder events.

Salary: Starting at £47,907 per annum, with progression to £51,246 per annum through annual increments, subject to satisfactory performance (inclusive of outer fringe allowance).

Hours: 37 hours per week.

About You

We’re looking for someone with a strong understanding of housing development and project management who is motivated by delivering positive outcomes for communities.

You Will Have

• A degree, professional housing qualification (such as CIH or RICS membership), or equivalent relevant experience.
• Proven experience managing housing or property development projects.
• Experience in local government (preferred but not essential).
• Up-to-date knowledge of housing development processes, planning and legal requirements.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• The ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively across multiple organisations.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and make informed decisions confidently.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel to sites and meetings both within and outside the borough.

Why join us?

At Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, our CORE values underpin everything we do: Collaborative, Open, Responsible, Excellent.

In Return, We Offer

• Hybrid working with an expectation of approximately two office-based days per week (subject to service needs). This will be more frequent during your training period.
• A modern working environment in the heart of Welwyn Garden City.
• Free parking.
• Access to electric pool cars.
• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – to work out how much it is worth, click on the pension calculator.
• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
• A comprehensive employee benefits package – for more information, click here.

This role may occasionally require attendance at evening meetings and public consultation events.

Closing date: 23 November 2026.

Remote assessments: 30 November 2026.

Face-to-face interviews: 7/8 December 2026.

Please note that we do not provide sponsorship for employment in the UK.