Job description
As the largest social landlord in Reading, we’re passionate about transforming lives and building vibrant, thriving communities. Our Housing and Communities Service is the heart of this mission— striving to deliver high-quality housing services, tackle local housing needs, support safer neighbourhoods, and drive the creation of new, sustainable, and affordable homes.
With an ambitious programme of new developments and innovative service improvements already underway, this is a truly exciting time to join us. We’re looking for fresh talent with energy, ideas, and a commitment to making a difference to help us deliver on our bold vision for the future of housing in Reading.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

ABOUT YOU

We are seeking a dynamic individual with a strong understanding of housing need and experience of working with developers to maximise housing supply. Experience of program delivery with the ability to run services in a cost-effective manner that delivers the best outcomes for our customers is vital. A strategic mindset will be essential as you align with and drive the organisation’s priorities, ensuring customer needs are at the forefront of service improvements.
You should have excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging with a diverse range of customers, clients, and staff. A positive attitude towards change is essential, with the ability to implement improvements that enhance service effectiveness. Analytical skills are key, enabling you to make quality decisions, recommendations and delivery. You should have experience in managing budgets with strong financial monitoring and control, as well as the ability to foster a performance-driven culture.
Strong leadership skills are vital, as you will motivate, empower, and develop staff to achieve their full potential. Collaboration with internal and external partners, teams, contractors, and elected members is a key aspect of this role, as is the ability to negotiate and achieve measurable outcomes.

Are you passionate about shaping the future of housing? In this dynamic role, you will have the opportunity to drive the growth of affordable housing in Reading by maximising the development pipeline with key developers, while playing a leading role in the exciting expansion of the Council’s New Build Programme.
You’ll be at the forefront of crafting forward-thinking housing strategies and policies that make a real difference to our community, ensuring we meet both local needs and national goals. As a key steward of the Housing Revenue Account, you will support the oversight of its 30-year business plan, ensuring financial sustainability while planning for impactful investment.
You will also be responsible for the contract management of the Councils Housing PFI as it enters its final years, and you will also have the chance to shape national housing policy, using your expertise to respond to consultations and ensure our voice is heard. This is your chance to make a lasting impact on the housing landscape!
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed