The Award-Winning Housing Development Team is involved in a range of work including the development and delivery of new homes for sale & rent, neighbourhood planning, clearance of obsolete properties and the asset management of our Land and Property portfolio.  This includes the management of diverse major housing projects that need to be coordinated and integrated with other programmes to achieve a range of corporate & strategic objectives of the Council. We have now delivered over 3000 new homes in Birmingham under the Birmingham Municipal Housing Team (BMHT) Banner.

The Principal Housing Development Officer post covers a range of work and requirements within the Housing Development Team including:

Housing Development programme management – requiring an understanding of the principles of how schemes are designed, procured & delivered and the factors affecting programme delivery, including risk analysis, forecasting and monitoring. The post holder will need excellent IT skills and have the ability to interpret & clearly report on complex information at all levels.

A high level of project management skills and a drive to succeed in a fast-moving environment. Projects may range from £400,000 to £20,000,000+ with varying degrees of complexity.

The need to be flexible in continuous learning within an ever changing environment and be willing to move within the service area to support priorities & business need.

The post holder will need to contribute towards the development of new projects and assist the development of Housing Development strategy.

The role requires:

• A high level of attention to detail, IT skills, organisational skills, interpersonal skills and use of initiative. The role also requires the ability to provide information to strict deadlines, while liaising with senior managers, team members, other teams and external bodies.

• The ability to demonstrate a good understanding of project management principles and themes. The ability to work as part of busy project team and lead key project elements with support from Housing Development Managers

• The ability to act as a lead officer across several projects. The ability to offer project and business advice and guidance following research and networking will be key.

• The clear ability to build strong and long lasting internal and external relationships to support project delivery and encourage the sharing of information

Attendance at meetings outside normal office hours may be required and occasionally to work outside normal hours to meet deadlines.

May be required to work from any location and undertake site visits

From time to time will be required to help identify your training needs and, in partnership with your Manager, develop strategies to enable you to meet those needs, in line with the objectives of the organisation.  

All of the duties listed in the job description must be carried out according to health and safety guidelines. 

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the ability to create and maintain excellent partnerships with a range of external organisations, including consultants, developers and specialist contractors to ensure the effective delivery of schemes

Experience/ understanding of contract management is needed in order to ensure performance of contractors, services etc. Some of this can be with private sector partners and involve consultants etc.

Financial management is a key part of the job ensuring that the team deliver a quality product as far as possible to cost.

Undertake option appraisal and site management culminating in procurement and delivery of new housing, where possible, and their letting or sale.

The role requires the ability to manage people and schemes across a range of housing development projects. It also requires an understanding of the principles of how housing schemes are designed, procured and delivered, and knowledge of the factors and timescales that can affect programme delivery. The post holder will need excellent IT skills and the ability to interpret both financial and housing programme delivery data.

Interviews for this post may take place virtually via video conferencing. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further information

For informal enquiries please contact

Cathy Jesson – Housing Development Manager on 07557 287 577 or email Cathy.Jesson@birmingham.gov.uk

Ref: BCC002979

We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) may need to apply for a visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and may require a Certificate of Sponsorship from Birmingham City Council for a skilled worker visa (if the job is eligible).

Supporting documents
JD&PS -GR5 Principal Housing Development Officer.doc