Housing Strategy Officer

WMJobs; Hereford; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS membership

Annual leave 31 days + bank holidays

Flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme

Professional membership fees

Job summary

Herefordshire Council is seeking a Housing Strategy Officer to support the development and delivery of strategic housing projects across the county. The role is hybrid, based at Plough Lane/Home working, and involves policy development, governance and partnership work.

You will research legislation, coordinate funding bids and work with providers, health and social care partners to improve housing outcomes for residents. A degree-level qualification or equivalent experience is required.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience researching and analysing complex information to produce clear policy or project documents.
• Ability to understand housing policy, legislation and practice and apply it in a dynamic environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication with the ability to present to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Research, monitor and explain housing legislation, policy and practice to inform strategy and decision making.
• Gather and analyse housing data to support housing supply, need and demand analysis.
• Draft, edit and present strategies, reports and governance documents.
• Convene multi-agency meetings with housing providers and partners.
• Support commissioning and redesign of housing-related services and programmes.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Research methods

Written communication

Project coordination

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Herefordshire Council,

About The Role

Housing Strategy Officer

Contract: Permanent

Location: Hybrid, Plough Lane/Home working

Hours: 37 hrs per week

Salary: HC9 (£42,123 - £46,579)

Closing date: Friday 25th September 2026

Interviews: Thursday 8th October 2026

Introduction

An exciting opportunity to join Herefordshire Council’s Strategic Housing Team and help shape housing provision, policy and partnerships across the county.

The Strategic Housing Team play a critical role in helping the council meet its statutory duties as a strategic housing authority. We work across the council, with registered housing providers, partner agencies, government bodies and local communities to understand housing need, develop statutory housing policy, secure funding and deliver programmes that improve housing outcomes for people living in our community.

Our work includes

• Developing strategic housing policy and evidence Researching housing need, analysing legislation, preparing strategies and producing high-quality reports and briefings for senior decision makers.
• Building strong housing partnerships Working with registered providers, housing services, health and social care, voluntary organisations and other local authorities to improve housing supply, quality and outcomes.
• Delivering programmes that make a difference Supporting commissioning, procurement, governance, funding bids and delivery of strategic housing projects for vulnerable people and households in housing need.

Join Our Strategic Housing Team – Make A Real Difference

This role helps ensure Herefordshire has the right evidence, partnerships and delivery plans in place to respond to complex housing challenges. The overall goal is to:

• Support the council’s statutory housing duties through robust policy, research, analysis and governance.
• Improve housing outcomes for residents by helping to shape services, partnerships and commissioned provision.
• Secure and maximise funding to support housing strategies, accommodation programmes and service improvements.
• Provide specialist advice to senior managers, councillors, cabinet members and colleagues across directorates.

About The Role

As a Housing Strategy Officer, you will support the development and delivery of key strategic housing projects and programmes, helping the council respond to housing need, improve services and plan for the future. You will work across policy, commissioning, partnership development, governance and project delivery, producing high-quality analysis and advice that informs decisions and supports positive outcomes for residents.

What will you be doing?

You will research and analyse housing legislation, policy and local data; prepare strategies, briefings, reports and governance documents; support consultation and engagement; and help coordinate delivery of strategic housing programmes. You will research and develop funding bids and work with housing providers, council teams and partner agencies to build strong relationships, manage risks, improve services and support the delivery of accommodation and housing-related priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, monitor and explain housing legislation, policy and practice to inform strategy and decision making.
• Gather and analyse business intelligence about housing supply, need and demand across social, affordable and targeted housing.
• Draft, edit and present strategies, reports, briefings, funding applications and governance documents.
• Convene and support multi-agency meetings, forums and working groups with housing providers and partners.
• Support commissioning, procurement and redesign of housing-related services and programmes.
• Provide advice to senior managers, councillors, cabinet members and colleagues on strategic housing issues.
• Research, develop and apply for internal and external funding to deliver housing strategies and projects.

About You

• You will have substantial experience of researching and analysing complex information and preparing clear, high-quality policy, strategy or project documents.
• You will understand strategic housing issues, legislation, policy and practice, and be able to apply this knowledge in a complex and changing environment.
• You will be confident working collaboratively across organisations and professional disciplines, building strong relationships and negotiating effectively.
• You will have strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex material clearly to different audiences.
• You will be organised, diligent and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail;
• You will be self‑motivated, adaptable and creative, with the ability to take ideas from development through to delivery.
• You will hold a degree‑level qualification or have equivalent extensive professional experience, with evidence of continuing professional development.

To arrange an informal discussion about the role with Hannah McSherry, Strategic Housing Manager, please contact [e-mail]

We Offer

A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:

• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• The chance to make a tangible difference to the lives of residents across Herefordshire
• Salary grade HC9 £42,123 - £46,579
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress
• Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
• Flexible working: including the potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

Why Choose Us?

Work within a supportive, knowledgeable and collaborative strategic housing team.

Make a meaningful contribution to housing policy, partnerships and delivery across Herefordshire.

Influence strategic decisions that affect residents, communities and vulnerable households.

Develop your professional skills across strategy, commissioning, governance, funding and partnership working.

Be part of a council that embodies our THRIVE values: Trust, Honesty, Responsibility, Inclusivity, Value and Empathy.

Don’t meet all parts of the job description?

Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment which reflects the communities of Herefordshire. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we can provide supportive and welcoming opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.

Reasonable Adjustments

Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: [e-mail].

Creating an inclusive workplace

We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.

For more information on our Employee Network Groups please view our dedicated recruitment website: www.spiritofherefordshire.com.

Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:

• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.