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.
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.
Bible Society is on a mission to increase Bible confidence in the Church and change the conversation about the Bible in culture. We are ambitious to see the Bible ‘translated’ into every part of life and society.
We see a huge mission opportunity in England and Wales and increasingly our attention is focused on growing Bible confidence in the Church and inviting the spiritually open to engage with what the Bible has to say in their own lives.
As Director of Domestic Mission you will be responsible for:
- Leading and implementing programmes to mobilise the domestic Church for Bible mission, and to enable spiritually open people to discover and engage with the Bible.
- Embedding a mission culture marked by prayerful humility, relational partnership and inter-confessional collaboration.
If you are content with the state of contemporary Christianity in modern society and the place of the Bible in popular culture, then this is not the role for you. On the other hand, if you are provoked and stirred by the confusion, misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about the Bible in society; if you know the transforming power of Scripture to bring us into an encounter with Jesus by the Holy Spirit and change our lives and relationships; and if you want to harness your excellent leadership, relationship-building and missional vision-casting skills to help mobilise a Bible movement in our generation, then we are excited to be talking to you.
We believe the Bible is God's gift to the world. We want everyone to discover its message for themselves.


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!
Rural Housing Enabler
Hours: up to 34 hours per week
Location: Office base Brightspace, Ipswich or Kirkley Centre, Lowestoft with blended working
Term: Fixed Term to 31 March 2027 (potential to extend subject to funding)
Salary: £31,295 Fulltime (pro rata £28,374.13)
Start date: As soon as possible
About us
Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the county’s infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We exist to ensure our sector, and its volunteers are supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient.
Our values of collaborative, enabling, person centred, responsive and trusted are the golden thread which runs through who we are and how we operate, and we aim to make them real every day.
About the role
We are seeking a Rural Housing Enabler to join our friendly team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Suffolk. You will engage with communities and provide a range of support, from raising awareness of the need for affordable housing, facilitating initial discussions, gathering of evidence of need and liaising with other stakeholders. You will assist them throughout the journey of developing their own local housing schemes.
In this role, clear communication is essential. You’ll be presenting to a range of audiences, and working in partnership with communities / community leaders, parish councils, district and county authorities, landowners, developers, housing organisations, and other partners to bring forward affordable rural housing projects in Suffolk. Good IT skills, and the ability to build strong relationships are crucial.
The ideal candidate will have the following experience/skills:
· Excellent working knowledge of the issues affecting housing in Suffolk, and other issues affecting rural communities
· Experience of working in supporting rural communities thorough consultation for affordable and/or community led housing
· A good knowledge and understanding of the principles of quality community consultation.
· Working with local authorities, parish councils, housing associations and similar organisations
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
If you are interested in the role and would like to learn more, please visit our website for more information on who to contact.
We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post.
What we offer
You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include:
· Blended working where role allows
· Flexible working options to support work/life balance
· 33 days (FTE) increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays
· Up to 4% matched pension contribution
· 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk
· Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities
· Company Sick Pay Scheme
· Continued Professional Development for job related development
· Family Friendly policies and practices
· Tailored induction
For more information and an application pack please visit our website.
Applications for this role will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis until the role is filled. Interviews will be arranged according to availability.
We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment, as we reserve the right to close this job listing once a successful candidate is appointed.
Community Action Suffolk’s mission is to strengthen and champion community action in Suffolk by supporting the VCFSE sector
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.