Principal Housing Project Officer

Durham County Council; Seaham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the UK is seeking an experienced housing professional to lead and manage regeneration initiatives aimed at returning empty properties to use. Candidates should possess strong negotiation skills and experience with private landlords. Interested applicants can contact the Private Sector Housing Manager for an informal discussion about the role.

Benefits

Competitive salary

27 days holiday per year

Hybrid working arrangement

Excellent pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Experience delivering private sector housing interventions.
• Experience bringing empty homes back into use.
• Experience liaising with private landlords and owners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team responsible for regeneration initiatives.
• Liaise with partners to improve housing stock.
• Provide support within area-based regeneration initiatives.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Team management

Experience with private landlords

Education

NVQ L4 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 L4 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.

Benefits and rewards

We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.


• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.


• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).


• Hybrid working (home and office working).


• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.


• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.


• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.


• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).


• Discounted DCC gym membership.


• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.


• Trade Union membership.


• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits

Social media

Don’t see the perfect role for you right now? Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council!

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dccjobsandcareers/

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Hybrid working

Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.

We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce

Interviews

Interviews will be held on Thursday 16 October 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.

How to apply

In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email on [e-mail] or telephone [phone] – Option 5.

Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered with North East Jobs, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your email after the closing date for notification from donotreply@ne".jobs.org.uk as you will not be notified by any other means. Please ensure you check your junk mail.

We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf

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