Housing Strategy and Development Manager

About Us:

Based in the heart of Warwickshire, the beautiful district of Stratford-on-Avon is, without doubt, one of the most scenic and historical regions in the UK. Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s headquarters are located in the heart of William Shakespeare’s hometown. In the District, you will find thriving market towns, home to over 135,000 residents and a tourist destination for millions of visitors each year, from across the globe. We are proud to provide public services to residents, businesses and visitors across this magnificent region, making it a great place to live, work and visit.

At the Council, our people are our superpower and by choosing to bring your talents to our organisation, you will be joining a great team where everyone feels that they truly belong, full of dedicated people all working with passion and purpose, across a dynamic portfolio of work providing high-quality services.

Benefits:

As part of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Flexibility:

• A minimum of 25 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays.
• Hybrid working arrangements with the flexibility to work from home for up to 60% of your hours (dependent upon the role)
• Flexi-time scheme for a better work-life balance.

Lifestyle:

• Health Cash Plan Scheme for medical and dental expenses.
• Eye test voucher scheme
• Everyone Active Gym Membership discount

Professional Development:

• Training and Development opportunities.
• Payment of one professional subscription fee

Financial Planning:

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme to secure your future.
• Access to free Will writing services.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Salary Sacrifice schemes e.g. Cycle to Work etc.
• Free town centre parking

What to Expect in the Role:

You will oversee the delivery of the Council’s affordable housing enabling programme and lead the review of the Council’s housing strategy and development functions to ensure that the authority is successful in working in partnership with registered providers and other organisations in understanding and tackling the housing challenges facing the District.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities (Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details):

• To oversee the delivery of the Council’s affordable housing enabling programme, including working with Registered Providers as appropriate.
• To lead on the delivery and review of housing development policy and strategy, including the Stratford-on-Avon Housing Strategy, and to assist in the preparation of other related documents e.g. South Warwickshire Local Plan.
• Oversee the effective delivery and monitoring of any action plans and delivery of investment projects, including delivery of relevant actions of the Housing Strategy.
• To work effectively and positively with key businesses, partners and stakeholders to deliver housing development. This will include representing the Council at key meetings and events.
• To work effectively with the Council’s Housing Service to fulfil the Council’s statutory responsibilities in respect of housing and homelessness.
• To assist in preparing advice and responses to policy consultation documents from other local authorities or planning bodies, government departments and other agencies.
• To lead on, and contribute to, as appropriate, the preparation of any funding bids and to effectively monitor targets and report outcomes of any programs
• To undertake research, both empirical or from existing sources, to assist in the formulation and or monitoring of housing policy and to measure the effectiveness of policy against identified objectives.
• To liaise effectively with, and provide policy advice and information to, Elected Members, officers of the council, the public, committees, the development industry and other agencies and organisations.
• To oversee the work of the Council’s Rural Enabler which is a post that sits outside of the Council but which is funded by the Council.

What You’ll Need (Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details):

• Degree level qualification in a housing strategy & development related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience of preparing housing strategies and working within a housing strategy & development related field.
• Able to deal with contentious and confidential matters with diplomacy and tact.
• Enthusiastic, positive and can-do approach and ability to use initiative and build strong relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Jo Bozdoganli, Policy Manager on 01789 260473 or joanne.bozdoganli@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Applications will close at midnight on Wednesday 22nd October 2025

Interviews will be held w/c 3rd November 2025

The Council is committed to equality of opportunity and aims to create a welcoming, inclusive workplace where we are all able to bring our whole selves to work and perform at our best.