Overview
First Garden Cities Homes is looking for a proactive and organised Development Officer to support the delivery of our new-build affordable housing programme, with a strong focus on construction delivery, practical completion, handover and new-build aftercare.
Working to the Head of Development & Sales and other Development Team members, you will help manage schemes through the construction and completion stages, coordinating with developers, contractors and consultants to support successful project delivery. The role will involve attending site meetings, monitoring progress, supporting handovers, organising compliance checks, and helping manage the defects and aftercare process to ensure residents receive a high standard of service in their new homes.
We are looking for someone with experience in housing development, residential construction or a related property environment who has strong organisational skills and a practical, delivery focused approach that are aligned to First Garden Cities Homes values. Experience of affordable housing, the delivery of Section 106 schemes or new-build aftercare would be advantageous.
A full UK driving licence is essential.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Scheme Delivery
- Assist the Head of Development & Sales in the delivery of allocated development schemes from contract exchange through construction to practical completion and handover.
- Support the monitoring of programme, cost, risk and key delivery milestones across projects.
- Coordinate day to day liaison with developers, contractors and the consultant team on selected projects to support progress in line with target programmes.
- Attend site progress meetings and monitor construction progress alongside the Quality Control Surveyor (Clerk of Works)
- Identify and report emerging delivery issues or risks and support the Head of Development & Sales and consultant team in progressing appropriate solutions.
- Prepare and provide updates on scheme progress to support internal monitoring and reporting.
2.Contract and Project Support
- Assist in monitoring compliance with development agreements, building contracts and associated project documentation.
- Support the Head of Development & Sales in managing contractual relationships with developers and contractors.
- Ensure key approvals, variations and project changes are properly recorded and authorised.
- Identify emerging project risks during construction and support the Head of Development & Sales and consultant team in agreeing appropriate mitigations.
3. Financial Monitoring
- Support the monitoring of scheme budgets, expenditure and development cashflows, assisting the Head of Development & Sales in ensuring projects remain within approved financial parameters.
- Assist with the review and processing of contractor and consultant payments in line with agreed procedures.
4. Working with Colleagues
- Act as a link between the development team and other departments including housing management, finance and asset management
- Ensure relevant internal teams are kept informed of scheme progress and are involved in preparation for occupation and handover.
- Work with the Home Ownership Officer to coordinate sales and handover arrangements for Shared Ownership and other home ownership products.
5. Completion and Handover
- Assist with coordinating practical completion inspections and ensure relevant certification and documentation is obtained.
- Support the handover of completed homes to housing management, asset management and the sales team.
- Ensure any outstanding works are properly recorded and monitored.
6. Aftercare and Defects Management
- Support the management of the aftercare process for new homes during the defects period.
- Act as a day to day contact with developers and contractors during the defects period to help ensure issues are addressed promptly.
- Monitor defects performance and report progress to the Head of Development & Sales.
7. Sales
- Maintain accurate project records and development programme information.
- Contribute to the improvement of development processes and procedures based on lessons learned from completed schemes.
- Carry out any other duties reasonably required to support the delivery of the development programme.
Are you the right candidate?
It is essential you have:
- Experience working in housing development, construction, or a related property environment.
- Experience supporting the delivery of residential development projects or construction schemes.
- An understanding of the residential construction process and the key stages of project delivery.
- Awareness of affordable housing development and the role of registered providers.
- Experience working with a range of stakeholders including contractors, consultants or local authorities.
- Competent in the use of Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel to different development sites.
It is desirable you have:
- Experience working for a housing association, local authority or residential developer.
- Experience of affordable housing delivery, including Section 106 and rural housing schemes.
- Experience supporting schemes through construction, completion and handover (and attendance of site progress meetings)
- Understanding of defects management/aftercare for new homes.
- A degree or professional qualification in housing, construction or property related discipline.
Essential Values:
- Respect and integrity
- Open and accountable
- The best you can be
How to apply:
Please provide a separate written statement or covering letter explaining how you meet all the essential criteria, as this is required for shortlisting. Applications that are not accompanied by the statement/covering letter will not be considered.
Pay: £38,577.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free flu jabs
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
