Goodman Masson are proud to be working exclusively with Swindon Housing Company who are looking for an Associate Director/Senior Planner to lead the organisation at an exciting time as the company go on an exciting second phase of its journey with a fully refreshed portfolio of sites. Making a real difference in communities.
Job Purpose:
Accountable to the company board, this role will lead all activity undertaken by Swindon Housing Company working collegiately with Swindon Borough Council Planning and Property teams to create the right conditions for accelerating delivery of high-quality new homes in Swindon.
The company can deliver units for open market sales and private rentals, which cannot be achieved through the Council’s own social housing programme being as Local Authorities are prohibited from undertaking such activities on a commercial basis (Localism Act 2011).
On a day-to-day basis, be ‘hands-on’ to lead all activity within the company overseeing a small team (initially) taking projects from early inception, through early feasibility, building a detailed business case, securing planning permission through to managing disposal of land parcels or project management of housing delivery.
You will work closely with company Directors and Swindon Borough Council Property Service colleagues to grow confidence in the financial and social outcomes Swindon Housing Company can deliver for residents across Swindon.
Key Accountabilities:
The postholder will oversee strategic budget responsibility and financial performance of Swindon Housing Company. Supported by a finance controller and working in partnership with SBC finance team you will ensure reports for the company boards (and shareholder) on individual scheme finances and company performance are provided in an accurate and timely manner.
Manage all aspects including the purchase of land (prior to planning submission), undertake site investigations, secure planning permission, build and sell the properties or dispose of land with planning permission.
Manage projects from planning approval through construction, ensuring developments progress smoothly and stay on track.
Ensure that each development meets financial targets and remains commercially viable throughout the delivery phase.
Monitor costs, manage budget reviews, and report financial performance to ensure projects stay within targets.
Supplementary Accountabilities:
Through your visibility as the defacto lead for Swindon Housing Company, provide clear direction and a motivational and inspirational environment for your team to develop and excel.
Knowledge & Experience:
Candidates must have substantial knowledge and experience in the following areas of business and will be required to provide evidence of this:
A demonstrable understanding of the development process for residentially led schemes.
Evidenced practical understanding of the English planning system from a development management and planning policy point of view
Managing multi discipline (internal and external) teams within budget and program.
Effective negotiation with professional planning, consultancy partners and construction partners
An ability to think creatively – to see opportunities where others may see challenge and to develop effective options and strategies to take forward programs.
Optimising and value engineering schemes - under
Qualifications:
Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification with considerable relevant planning experience with a desirability of both LA/Consultancy background
Chartered membership of, or eligibility for membership of, a relevant professional body e.g RTPI/RICS
Decision Making:
The postholder with endorsement of the company board, the shareholder & Swindon Borough Council will take all decisions pertaining to Swindon Housing Company aligned to the ‘Decision Making Governance & Reporting’ structure within the interim business plan.
The postholder must take effective decisions quickly and act on their own initiative in order to resolve problems. Effective delegation across the team will be essential to empowering the team and accelerating planning outcomes.
The post holder must be able to quickly get to the heart of issues and accurately assess and manage risk
The postholder must shows creativity in using intellectual capital and resources to deliver cost effective services
Creativity and Innovation:
Constantly reviews ways of working and identifies opportunities to improve the quality of work of the service
Identifies creative solutions to complex development issues and takes action to implement them
Shows creativity in using resources to deliver cost effective services, engaging external experts where relevant, and looking beyond the boundary of current service delivery
Continually identifying, evaluating and implementing innovative new areas of partnership working where it is beneficial to Swindon
Contacts and Relationships:
The Postholder will work in a collaborative manner with Members, Corporate Boards, other directorates, external and internal stakeholders, community members and other bodies that interact with this role to deliver solutions led positive outcomes.
This is a fantastic hands on role to make a real difference and shape the organisation with full autonomy and direction setting.
Please reach out to Jamie Fitch or email (url removed) for more information and to discuss in further detail