Principal Empty Homes Officer

Durham County Council; Seaham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Seaham is seeking an experienced housing professional to lead regeneration initiatives aimed at bringing empty properties back into use. The role requires excellent negotiation skills and strategic thinking, overseeing a team responsible for housing projects. A competitive rewards package is offered, including a generous annual leave entitlement and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous annual leave of 27 days, rising to 32 after five years

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experienced housing professional needed to manage regeneration initiatives.
• Direct line management responsibilities for Housing Project Officers.
• Ability to deliver on Council’s objectives regarding empty properties.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with partners, contractors, and landlords to improve housing stock.
• Provide support in area-based regeneration initiatives.
• Deputize for the Team Leader as required.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Experience in private sector housing interventions

Experience liaising with landlords

Education

NVQ L3 or equivalent in a Housing Related Subject

Formal HHSRS qualification

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an experienced housing professional to lead and manage a team responsible for regeneration initiatives to bring empty properties back into use. You will have good negotiation skills and the ability to adopt a strategic view and relate strategy to action including enforcement where needed, to deliver on the Council’s objective to bring long term empty properties back into use.

What is involved?

You will be responsible for liaising with partners both internal and external, contractors, Registered Providers, residents, private landlords and property owners to improve stock in the private sector through a number of regeneration activities, partnership working, property improvement, management practices and bringing empty properties back into use.

You will provide assistance and support within area-based regeneration initiatives in identified areas and linked to the wider economic regeneration of County Durham.

You will have direct line management responsibilities for a team of Housing Project Officers and Housing Project Support Officers and will deputise for the Team Leader as required.

We encourage you to contact Victoria Hall, Private Sector Housing Manager via email at [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

What will I need?

You will have:-

• NVQ L3 or equivalent in a Housing Related Subject


• Formal HHSRS qualification


• Experience of delivering private sector housing interventions


• Experience of bringing empty homes back into use


• Experience of liaising with private landlords and owners

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

Interviews

Interviews will be held on Thursday 20 November 2025.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

Our offer to you

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the contributory Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

How to apply

Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted. For guidance on completing your application, visit our website. Applications should be submitted via the Northeast Jobs portal.

If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email [e-mail]

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from [e-mail]. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.

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