Director of Development and Building Safety

Thank you very much for your interest in this Director of Development and Building Safety post at Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA).

On this page and in the full recruitment pack for the Director of Development and Building Safety (PDF, 4.3mb) you will find details of the role and the selection process to assist you in completing and tailoring your application. You will no doubt do your own due diligence, but do read this pack carefully as it will provide you with a good overview of the organisation and role. After you have done that, please feel free to get in touch with me so that we can talk through your offer and get a sense of how that aligns with what ISHA is seeking.

To apply, we will need the following from you:

1) A CV

Make sure this confirms your current/most recent roles (you can sum up earlier roles, say before the last 15 years), tell us about your achievements so we get a picture of your skills and experience, and try to keep it to two pages or three at most.

2) A personal statement

In the statement, we want to hear about your motivation, why this role/ organisation, and you will also want to evidence how relevant your offer is to the role profile and person specification; again, ideally in two to three pages.

3) The declaration form

This is accessible via the role on the Campbell Tickell jobs page and includes space to indicate if you cannot attend any of the interview dates.

Submitting your application

Please submit your completed application documents using the online form accessible via the Campbell Tickell jobs page . You will receive an email confirmation and see an on-screen confirmation message after submitting your application, but if you have any issues, you can call 020 3434 0990.

The role closes at 9am on Monday, 2 November 2026. Please ensure we receive your application in good time.

Do contact me if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role and organisation, or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply.

Matthew Carey
Researcher, Campbell Tickell
matthew.carey@campbelltickell.com
07931 432 047

Reports to: Chief Executive
Direct reports: Principal Development Manager (programme delivery), Principal Development Manager (New Business), Principal Sales and Marketing Manager, Commercial Manager, Head of Partnerships, Procurement and Energy, Assistant Director of Building Safety and Compliance and Senior Project Manager.
Team: Development and Building Safety
Directorate: Development and Building Safety

Job purpose

As the Director of Development and Building Safety, you will drive the delivery of quality homes and places, ensuring new and existing homes are safe and compliant and risks are mitigated appropriately. With your Leadership Team colleagues, you will provide strategic direction and drive delivery across ISHA, helping establish a people (resident and colleague) focused, high-performing culture.

Our values

Consistently demonstrate and champion ISHA’s values through your behaviours, decisions, and interactions with colleagues, residents, and partners, whilst always acting as a positive and visible role model for our values of Professional, Motivated to deliver, Compassionate and People focused.

Key accountabilities

1. With the Board and Leadership Team, establish the strategic objectives, business and financial plan and culture for delivery. Motivate and develop employees to implement these and achieve ever higher levels of resident satisfaction, value for money and service improvement.
2. Play a full role in high-quality governance, partnering with ISHA’s Board and its committees with honesty and integrity and delivering timely, quality papers and information to support their role. Be the lead officer for the Property Investment Committee, working closely with the committee Chair. Away days and meetings are weekend/evenings.
3. Oversee a small, centralised procurement function, ensuring adequate engagement and the creation and monitoring of metrics and practices that test compliance and deliver value for money and resident-focused procurement across ISHA.
4. Meet all statutory and legal obligations – and keep abreast of how they are changing.
5. Be responsible for the development, embedding and compliance with a performance framework and indicators for your areas of operation. Report accurately and transparently to residents, the Board and relevant third parties (including regulators) on these.
6. Develop and lead on risk management within your Directorate, ensuring key risks are embedded within ISHA’s risk assurance framework
7. Lead the directorate, ensuring quality people management, and effective delivery of the full range of functions to agreed budgets, from new business to programme delivery, to health and safety and compliance.
8. Deputise for the CEO as necessary, including managing emergency events and liaising with stakeholders, residents and the media.

Development

9. Help keep the communities ISHA exists to serve, mixed and vibrant by securing viable opportunities for and delivering quality social and shared ownership homes.
10. Ensure the homes we build are of a high quality, based on up-to-date and relevant design briefs and employers' requirements, and an asset to the people who live there, and ISHA in the long term.
11. Ensure quality handover to Housing and Neighbourhoods colleagues to provide the best experience possible for colleagues and residents moving in.
12. Deliver an effective sales and marketing strategy for shared ownership homes and disposals.
13. Through leadership of the North River Alliance (NRA) consortium, help other housing associations deliver their development aspirations.
14. Consolidate and build partnerships with local authorities and other anchor institutions who serve our communities, such as the GLA.
15. Work with funders and partners, ensuring compliance with their funding and audit requirements.
16. Oversee the procurement of insurance services for ISHA and its properties.

Commercial and energy

17. Develop and deliver ISHA’s commercial strategy, ensuring properties are well managed and maximise returns. Ensure the commercial strategy and emerging community investment strategy are linked, and synergies maximised.
18. Ensure ISHA is compliant in relation to its provision of energy, including heat networks, CHP and PV/Solar, ensuring value for money and cost-efficiency are maximised for ISHA and residents.

Building safety and compliance

19. As ISHA’s designated lead for Health & Safety, carry out the functions as defined in section 126b and 126c of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, as amended by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.
20. Lead the Building Safety and Compliance teams, meeting all statutory and legal obligations for the management of buildings and ensuring compliance with all current and emerging building safety regulations (such as the Building Regula􀀗ons 2010, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021, Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety England Regula􀀗ons 2022, relevant approved documents (par􀀗cularly structural, fire, gas and electrical) and industry standards, including all compliance elements of the regulatory framework.
21. Identify and deliver the remediation programme of buildings with fire and other defects or identified issues, ensuring ISHA is compliant with Fire and Building Safety legislation and maximising cost-recovery from developers and/or other routes. Deliver the programme on a risk- based approach, with timeliness and quality communication with and between all stakeholders, especially residents.
22. Lead a refreshed ISHA approach to emergency planning, including overseeing the production of an updated Business Continuity Plan (BCP). Ensure strong engagement with the Plan and emergency arrangements by necessary departments. Review lessons learned from incidents and embed necessary changes.

General

23. Have a passion for the development of employees across the business, starting with outstanding management, motivation, support and development of your direct reports.
24. Take responsibility for the induction, training and career advancement of the employees in your directorate, ensuring they are managed and motivated appropriately, with performance issues tackled in a fair and consistent manner.
25. Set and manage organisational and directorate budgets.
26. Ensure that health and safety concerns for employees and residents are appropriately addressed.
27. Play an active role in our strategic intent to be a proudly anti-racist and inclusive organisation and deliver our equity, diversity and inclusion strategy.
28. Represent ISHA in relevant internal and external forums.

Essentials

In addition to the principal accountabilities of the role, there are several significant elements that we deem them essential for every role at ISHA:

Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are fully and effectively met by embedding ISHA’s safeguarding procedures into practice and decision-making, and by promoting a safeguarding culture appropriate to the scope and seniority of the role.

Champion equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work, ensuring policies are actively applied, and the principles of fairness, inclusion and respect are positively promoted with colleagues, residents and wider stakeholders.

Maintain a safe, compliant and responsible working environment by ensuring full adherence to health and safety and data protection requirements, and by promoting practices that protect personal wellbeing, organisational data and the safety of others.

Ensure organisational priorities are met through flexible and responsive working, adapting approach and taking on additional reasonable responsibilities as required to support the needs of the team, directorate and ISHA, as and when required.

Personal specification

I am pleased you are considering joining our Leadership Team at ISHA. The recruitment pack has been designed to introduce you to ISHA, the role, and our mission to provide high-quality homes and services and contribute to thriving communities in north and east London.

I joined as Chief Executive in October 2025 and have already seen how ISHA is a special organisation, uniquely placed as a community-based, ambitious, developing association that is well positioned to build on its platform to improve.

Like all housing associations, we’ve had to grapple with how we prioritise building safety, increasing regulation and the need for further investment to improve our existing residents’ homes with our commitment to build the desperately needed housing London needs. We are clear: with the right balance, we can do both. Continuing our development programme is important to us, and we are outwardly focused, constantly looking at new opportunities to build genuinely affordable homes to rent and for shared ownership.

This is an exciting journey for us. You will be joining just as our new corporate strategy has launched, alongside our new values and behaviours. The corporate strategy has a renewed emphasis on service improvement and the scaling up of our community investment activities, improving our operational data and insight and maintaining and improving our business resilience. You will be very much at the heart of this, not just in your area of direct responsibility, but leading from the front across the organisation, instilling the values and behaviours we need in all areas to deliver for residents.

As a key member of our Leadership Team responsible for our development and building safety, you will need to keep us safe and resilient. We have a good base from which to start and need you to bring your vision, skills, and capacity for delivery to take this to the next level.

I hope we’ve inspired you to consider this opportunity further, but please do your own due diligence, ask others what they think of us and speak to our recruitment agency, Campbell Tickell. I am confident you will see and hear good things.

Pippa Fleetwood-Read
Chief Executive

We are excited to be seeking a new Development and Building Safety. A broad portfolio role, this post is responsible for leading development, building safety, and compliance, as well as sales, commercial services, procurement and energy. The successful candidate will guide an active development programme delivering around 50 new homes annually in highly competitive London markets, while also supporting wider sector objectives through ISHA's influential role within the North River Alliance. Responsibility for an established building safety and compliance function will include driving continued improvement, strengthening assurance processes and ensuring resident safety remains at the forefront of service delivery.

An accomplished leader within the social housing sector, you will bring significant experience of building safety and compliance and a solid understanding of development and regeneration activity. This could suit an existing Executive Director seeking a fresh challenge, or a high- performing senior leader with the capability and ambition to step into their first executive-level appointment.

Our purpose

To provide quality, safe, and affordable homes across north and East London.

Our mission

Provide high-quality homes and services and contribute to thriving communities.

Our values

• Professional
• Motivated to deliver
• Compassionate
• People focused

We live our values every day and take pride in the diversity of our communities. We are committed to creating inclusive spaces where residents feel happy, respected, and able to be themselves.

Why join ISHA?

At ISHA, community and neighbourhood mean everything to us, and our roots run deep in the areas of North London that we serve. Founded over 90 years ago, we provide around 2,500 homes for over 5,000 people across Islington, Hackney, and Waltham Forest and continue to build on our history of service by offering a wide range of housing choices. With a new corporate strategy, newly crafted organisational values, and a refreshed leadership team, this is an exciting time to join us.

You can find short biographies and more information about Leadership Team and Board members in the About us section of the website and in the full recruitment pack for the Director of Development and Building Safety (PDF, 4.3mb)

Remuneration

£127,305

Annual leave entitlement

30 days annually, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 after five years of service. ISHA is closed between Christmas and New Year, with three days' annual leave automatically deducted.

Working hours

Work-life balance is important to us, and we have a 35-hour working week. However, as a Director there will be times when it is necessary to work flexibly to fulfil the role, including additional hours. This is not, however, a general expectation. Attendance at Board meetings, Committees, residentials and away days is a requirement of the role.

Probation and notice period

Probation is six months, and the notice period thereafter is six months.

Location

At ISHA’s offices, 102 Blackstock Road (Nr Finsbury Park), London N4 2DR.

Non-contractual employee benefits

Pension: Defined Contribution as a salary sacrifice. Starting at employer (ER) contribution of 6% and 2% employee (EE), or match-funded up to a maximum of 10% from ER and EE.

Emergency leave

Up to five days per annum for unexpected emergencies. Day one is paid on five occasions to allow employees 􀀗time to make alternative arrangements.

Financial services

We joined with the London Credit Union that provides employees with fair, ethical, and affordable financial services. You can also access the home contents insurance negotiated for our residents.

Healthcare

Healthcare plan (after probation) to support wellbeing, covering dental, optical and physio, plus access to stress helplines and more.

Working flexibly

Some working from home days per week with prior managerial approval. With monthly designated ‘all in’ days (we don’t offer hybrid contracts at ISHA).

Support for continuous professional development

Everyone has a personal development plan, and we offer opportunities to take qualifications, contributing partial funding and study leave. We also offer study loans repayable over 10 months.

Social opportunities

As a small organisation, we meet regularly as a whole team, celebrate successes and share experiences.

Other

Eye care vouchers, cycle to work scheme, Interest Free Season Ticket Loan (after probation). Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Support for continuous learning and development. Management Academy for managers, social opportunities, staff awards.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) statement

We expect all ISHA’s staff, residents, and stakeholders to be treated equitably and with respect in their dealings with us.

We will be inclusive and reflect the rich and diverse communities we exist to serve.

We will work to earn the trust and confidence of staff, residents, and stakeholders that they can expect – from us and our contractors - respect, fairness, and equitable treatment.

At ISHA, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to thrive. We believe that having a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve helps us make better decisions, deliver better services and create a stronger organisation.

London Living Wage

We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer, and no employee will earn below that level.

Working in partnership

We work in close cooperation with local authorities, the Regulator of Social Housing, Homes England, the Greater London Authority (GLA), the Building Safety Regulator and other local housing associations, including Black and Minority Ethnic, specialist housing associations and co-operatives. Investment in development is provided through our own borrowing, the GLA and local authorities. ISHA leads the North River Alliance (NRA), a consortium of North and East London community-based housing associations.

We have a G1 Governance rating, C2 Consumer Standards rating, and a V2 Financial Viability rating.

Our commitment to inclusion

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We value diversity of thought, experience and perspective, and believe these differences strengthen our team and enrich our culture.

Our address is: 102 Blackstock Road, London, N4 2DR

Getting to the office

Parking: There is very limited parking in the Finsbury Park area, but ISHA can provide a parking permit to staff with a disability who can only commute via car. We have pool cars, and staff can book parking spaces when transport is essential for their role, subject to availability and approval.

Bicycle racks are available outside the back and front of the office.

Tube/Underground: The nearest tube station is Finsbury Park on the Victoria and Piccadilly lines (10 minutes’ walk to our office).

Trains/overground: The nearest train station is Finsbury Park with trains from Moorgate and Kings Cross. London Overground operates a train from Stratford to Finsbury Park.

Buses: Many buses run between Finsbury Park station and our office: 4, 19, 106, 236. Other buses stop on Seven Sisters Road (7 minutes’ walk) 29, 253, 259, 279.

Physical layout and features

Our reception and Repairs Team are located on the ground floor. All other departments are on the first and second floors. There is a lift that serves each floor.

Our office is wheelchair accessible, and there is a disabled toilet on every floor, and one at reception. The height of some desks can be adjusted and would be suitable for wheelchair users or very tall people.

There are soft strip lights throughout with good natural light. Some managers’ offices are further away from windows and rely more on artificial lighting. However, those offices have an air-cooling system to facilitate temperature control.

As the office is mainly open plan, noise levels vary and can, at times, be high. Most employees sit in an open plan office area with colleagues, with computers and printers operating intermittently during the day.

There are audio loop systems in the main meeting room, the tenant interview rooms, and at reception.

You can download or view all this information in a single file.

• Full recruitment pack for Director of Development and Building Safety (PDF, 4.5mb)