This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Sussex Community Housing Hub team in providing technical advice and support to communities engaged in rural and community led housing projects.
Community-led housing involves local people playing a leading and lasting role in solving housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and strong communities.
You will be working in conjunction with other members of the Hub to help deliver quality affordable housing schemes that these communities are truly proud of.
The role
This is a senior, externally facing post reporting to the Chief Executive. You'll manage a caseload of community-led housing projects, lead a small team of advisors, and work in partnership with communities, parish councils, housing associations, local authorities, landowners, and developers across East and West Sussex.
You'll also play a part in shaping Druv Homes, AirS's emerging housing association.
What you'll be doing
- Guiding community groups through all stages of the housing development process — from vision and site identification through to planning, funding, and scheme delivery
- Advising on site selection, RP partnerships, planning applications, S106 agreements, and funding strategies (both capital and revenue)
- Building and managing relationships with a wide range of partners — communities, RPs, local authorities, planners, developers, and agents
- Supporting communities to access funding and drafting bids where needed
- Overseeing professional advisers (architects, engineers, etc.) commissioned by community groups
- Leading project team meetings, maintaining project plans, and problem-solving
- Contributing to lobbying and sector advocacy alongside national partners
- Keeping pace with policy and legislative changes in affordable housing and community-led development
What we're looking for
Essential:
- At least 5 years' experience in affordable housing development
- A relevant degree (surveying, building, business management or equivalent experience)
- Proven track record in project management and scheme delivery
- Experience working with local authorities, RPs, and community organisations
- Team management experience
- Strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills
Desirable:
- Experience of rural affordable housing and community-led models e.g. Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
- Knowledge of rural housing policy
- Background in the not-for-profit sector
- Experience reporting to boards or executive teams
Practical
The role is based in Lewes with hybrid working. Regular but infrequent travel across East and West Sussex is required — a driving licence or equivalent transport access is essential.
For more information about the role and the organisation download the Job Description, Person Specification and AirS Prospectus.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
To increase the capacity of rural communities to manage change for the benefit of all their constituents.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
As Philanthropy Officer, you will build strong, lasting relationships with individuals, families and organisations, helping them to achieve their philanthropic goals while increasing charitable income and delivering meaningful impact in communities across Wales.
We’re looking for someone with a strong understanding of social issues and community needs in Wales, who can use that insight to build networks, identify opportunities and develop tailored support for existing and prospective donors. This role will play a key part in securing new funding, growing our donor base and building high-quality, long-term relationships.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Proven experience in a philanthropy or fundraising relationship management role.
- Ability to identify and develop new philanthropic opportunities, including prospecting and converting new donors.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and experience of developing, managing and growing relationships.
- Strong communication, evidencing excellent customer relationship with a focus on trust, respect, confidentiality and attention to detail alongside the ability to juggle multiple relationships simultaneously.
- Confidence speaking publicly to a variety of audiences.
- High levels of motivation, be results-driven and able to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
- Experience of producing compelling reports, narrative and presentations alongside creating tailored donor experiences to inspire donors.
- A strong commitment to your own learning and development.
Read more in the full job pack.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We turn philanthropy into lasting community impact across Wales. We’re a trusted bridge between donors and the grassroots communities they care about.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Context
Childhood First enables children and young people to recover from early life abuse and relational trauma, to enjoy life and to achieve their potential. We do this through the provision of specialist therapeutic residential care and treatment, together with family and network support.
Greenfields House is a specialist residential children’s home providing a programme of care, treatment and education for up to ten children aged between 5 and 13 years.
Role Description
The role of the Placement and Family Support Worker is to directly support, maintain and develop the network around the child, liaising, building relationships and communicating between multiple agencies and multi-disciplinary roles, these include, the local authority, social workers, family members, carers and significant others and the child in placement.
Within the community, the role is closely linked with each child in placement and will closely work with the Community Director and the senior management team to ensure that it meets the therapeutic and educational needs and interests of each child. This will necessarily include working closely with professionals and developing their expertise in a psychoanalytic-systemic approach to care, education and treatment.
Responsibilities include:
- Ensure that plans for the process of assessment, co-ordination and delivery of placement and family support and transition plans are developed and managed on a day-to-day basis to agreed standards.
- Co-ordinate and facilitate contact arrangements, linking with networks and families in a manner which is integrated with the community’s existing relationship and contribute to and develop its professional effectiveness.
- Contribute to the holistic assessment of needs of children, families and networks.
- Devise and develop tailored packages of support based on assessment.
We would like to hear from you if you have a Level 3 qualification or substantial work experience related to social care, social work, family support or early help. The ideal candidate will also have experience working with children, adolescents and families and have knowledge of parenting skills.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro rata)
- Health benefit package and life assurance
- Up to 6% pension contributions
Closing date: Friday, 15 May 2026
Interview Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
To apply Please submit your CV with a covering letter describing your suitability for this role or complete the application questions below.
Childhood First is committed to safeguarding children. We follow safer recruitment guidelines and all appointments will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS and references.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.