Head of Affordable Housing
Meet Our Recruiter
Adaora Onuora
About the Role
Cobalt is working with a leading UK housebuilder known for high-quality homes, regeneration, and strong partnerships with local authorities, registered providers, and government agencies. They are committed to tackling housing shortages and delivering sustainable communities.
Role Purpose
The Head of Affordable Housing will lead to the company's affordable housing strategy and operations. This includes shaping product mix, optimising value across the portfolio, and managing partnerships to ensure high-quality, compliant, and value-driven affordable housing delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead affordable housing activities across portfolio, aligned with group strategy and sustainability goals.
- Build and manage strong partnerships with housing associations, local authorities, Homes England, and the GLA.
- Oversee and maximise value from S106 agreements: pricing, negotiating, and closing deals with internal stakeholders.
- Develop and implement standardised approaches (e.g., HOTs, S106 clauses).
- Provide guidance on affordable housing conditions, design, and product mix.
- Ensure specifications are market-facing and competitive.
- Report regularly to senior management on portfolio progress and issues.
- Represent company at industry events, raising profile and influencing policy.
- Collaborate closely with land, development, construction, sales, and legal teams.
Candidate Profile
- Experience: 10+ years in residential development with a strong focus on affordable housing and a track record in S106 negotiations.
- Skills: Commercial acumen, strong negotiation, ability to build long-term partnerships.
- Education/Qualifications: Degree in housing, planning, real estate or related field (CIH, RICS, or RTPI membership desirable).
- Technical: Experience with ProVal or similar financial modelling tools.
- Other: London-specific experience advantageous but not essential.
Please apply here or give me (Adaora) a call to discuss. My client is looking to find the right candidate as soon as possible - so if in doubt, do get in touch. I also have other clients and roles that may be of interest.
If you do not hear anything back within one week, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion, but I will retain your details for future roles.
