Job profile
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Job reference
REQ
Date posted
03/09/2025
Application closing date
14/09/2025
Location
COUNTY-WIDE
Salary
£40,777 £41,771
Package
Contractual hours
37
Basis
Full time
Attachments
Housing Development Officer - WMF2255e
Job description
Location: Voreda House, Penrith; South Lakeland House, Kendal; or Barrow Town Hall
Contract Type: Fixed Term ( Maternity Cover ) until April post)
Hours: 37
About this opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to support the shaping and delivery of the Affordable Housing programme across Westmorland and Furness; through facilitating new development, including through the Council's Affordable Housing grants programmes, as well as overseeing the Council's low cost housing schemes.
A varied and challenging role, working with a range of internal and external stakeholders, to increase the delivery of affordable housing through the planning system, supporting Housing Association development, as well as through maximising the Council's own resources, to bring forward new affordable homes. You will support the development of new opportunities and enhanced housing services, through partnership working, alongside collaborative work across the Thriving Communities directorate.
Who we are looking for…
We are seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic individual to join our Housing Development & Enabling team, within the Thriving Communities directorate. The post is full-time working 37 hours per week; however, consideration will be given to part-time working, as well as agile working and working from home (subject to line manager's agreement).
You will be highly knowledgeable with a strong background in Housing, or a related-field, and appreciative of the complexities and interdependencies across disciplines. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential to further establish and maintain an effective team and develop partnerships.
You will support the development of key housing delivery initiatives, influencing and negotiating opportunities for funding and service development, whilst being highly organised to ensure compliance with changing legislation and regulation. The role also involves supporting and overseeing the Council's low cost home ownership (discounted sale) scheme and Affordable Housing Grants programme.
You should be a team player but be able to organise your own workload and be committed to providing a high standard of customer service. You must have good written and oral communication skills and be competent in IT. You must have the ability to travel around Westmorland & Furness to conduct site visits and attend meetings; a full UK driving licence is therefore essential and access to a car would be an advantage.
You will be part of a flexible and responsive Housing Team where we work collaboratively to deliver out objectives.
For an informal discussion on the role, please contact Jeremy Hewitson, Strategic Lead – Development & Enabling
What can we offer you
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers )
Would you like to find out more?
For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:
* Post Specification
* Role Profile
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 14th September 2025
Interview date: 26th September 2025
We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.
Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website - Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK.
Safer Recruitment
At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.
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