HIGHTOWN HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Head of Development
DEPARTMENT: Development
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Development
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Development Manager
JOB CONTEXT
Hightown (HHA) is a charitable housing association operating principally in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. We believe everyone should have a home and the support they need, so our aim is to build new homes and to provide excellent housing and support.
We currently manage over 5,500 homes and employ over 900 full and part time staff from our head office in Hemel Hempstead. We have an annual turnover of £60 million and a development programme that will deliver over 350 new affordable homes each year.
Hightown Homes
Once our houses are built, they are let to people who cannot afford to buy or rent at full market values. The majority of our properties are offered to people on local authority housing lists to rent. We also manage homes to let at intermediate rents, for people saving for a deposit, and shared ownership homes, which help people make their first step on the housing ladder.
Hightown Support
Within our care and supported living schemes we work across a diverse range of client groups. These include people with Learning Disabilities (including Autistic Spectrum Disorders), people with Mental Health problems, Young people and adults experiencing Homelessness and women who have survived Domestic Violence.
Our aim is to help them develop independent living skills, to be involved in decisions regarding their lives and to participate in their local community.
JOB SUMMARY
To support the Director of Development in managing the department. To manage the work of a development team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy:
To assist the Director in ensuring that HHA’s development programme meets both its Strategic Plan and other corporate objectives, and the department’s Operational Plan; to identify and analyse new business opportunities; and to report on the achievement of the Operational Plan objectives. Funding: To take overall control of each formal bid to the Homes and Communities Agency; to manage, monitor and control the department’s delivery of its HCA programme, initiating corrective action where necessary; and to be the main contact with the HCA on programme issues.
To liaise with each local authority and maintain an overall picture of grant availability, feeding this information into the selection of areas of activity; to maximise capital grants from LA’s and be the main contact with the LA’s on funding issues. To represent the Association at LA liaison meetings.
Continuous Improvement: To manage the development and implementation of the department’s policies, procedures and systems, and to assist the Director in reviewing them; to chair the Quality Circle, and manage its programme of improving processes and service delivery; to review development quality standards from time to time; to take overall charges of the Development Manual; and to liaise with internal stakeholders especially the Operations Department.
Housebuilder Liaison: To maintain good relationships with housebuilders and promote a steady flow of opportunities.
Leading The Team: To lead a development team and to support the Development Manager to develop, train, motivate, a team that gives a high standard of service to internal and external customers; to appraise, support and supervise the Development Manager; and, in consultation with the Head of Projects, to manage staff workloads.
Land and Project Management: To find and evaluate new development opportunities, both housebuilder and land led schemes, that meet local housing need and the Association’s objectives; to assess the financial viability of prospective schemes; to record offers, track outcomes, and do deals to buy land; and to get deals into contract.
To ensure that the team instructs appropriate consultants; follows relevant procedures; maintains appropriate records and forecasts; delivers a quality product that meets the Association’s own standards, those of funders, and with statutory and regulatory requirements; and deals with defects.
Standards: To make sure all developments comply both with the Association’s internal standards, with those of the Homes and Communities Agency and other relevant bodies, and with statutory and regulatory requirements. To maintain build quality with assistance of consultants, ensuring standards comply with the Association’s Design Brief, any funding standards, and other relevant standards
Miscellaneous: To undertake any duties of a similar nature requested by the Director of Development; to deputise for the Director wherever needed; to promote the Association’s Equality and Diversity Policy; and to participate in the review of this job description as necessary. PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Desirable Qualifications Educated to degree level or equivalent experience Relevant professional qualification Knowledge and skills Comprehensive knowledge of RPs current operating environment
Thorough understanding of technical aspects of development and building
Thorough understanding of HCA/Local Authority funding procedures Excellent verbal and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills Ability to adapt to change Ability to assess development risk and mitigate it Ability to organise own workload and that of the team Experience Maintaining relationships at a senior level with public or private organisations Staff supervision experience Acquisition and project management at senior level Preparation of financial viability and risk appraisal reports Strategic planning and policy making Personal Characteristics Highly numerate and literate with good attention to detail Well organised and motivated Able to work on own initiative but good team worker Car driver Ability to attend evening meetings Commitment to aims of the Association, including Equality & Diversity Commitment to the values of Hightown to put our residents and service users first and deliver excellent levels of service. Show a strong work ethic and demonstrate extra effort when required. Take ownership for resolving problems, demonstrating courage and resilience in dealing with difficult situations. Work co-operatively with others to get things done, willingly giving help and support to colleagues Treat people with respect and dignity, dealing with them fairly and without prejudice regardless of their background or circumstances.
Candidates are reminded that the shortlisting process is based on the evidence provided on the application form of the skills demonstrated above.