Assistant Director Policy and Corporate Strategy (Housing Association)

My client, a high performing housing association in the home counties is looking for as assistant director to lead on all research and policy work, drive the corporate planning process, as well as devise the wider approach to ESG and sustainability frameworks.
As a pivotal role, reporting to an executive director with close contact with the CEO, this individual will inform the business direction and influence debates with customers, regulators, policy makers and all other stakeholders. They will lead and advise on a broad range of corporate tasks including the development and periodic reviews of the multi-year Corporate Plan and its associated strategies.
They will be charged with leading the development of a full stakeholder engagement strategy which will integrate with development, customer, asset management and social value strategies. They will also ensure the policy framework is up to date, compliant and meets legal and regulatory standards.
Key accountabilities:
· Build collaborative relationships with leaders and managers in order to be aligned on current and future organisational needs, thereby ensuring that business partnering provided by the Strategy team is based on defined business requirements
· Oversee the commissioning, management and/or delivery of research and environmental scanning to provide the evidence base for policy and strategy. Agree the scope of programme or activities with Executive Directors and ensure oversight of specific research and/or analysis/scanning that Directorates may undertake within their specific field.
· Oversee the interpretation of changes in the policy environment and, in close collaboration with leaders across the business, ensure the development of policy positions; prepare or supervise the preparation of reports, background papers and other relevant material
· Oversee the development and delivery of a sustainability strategy which encompasses all areas of the business
· Guide the development of a consistent and compliant policy framework
Qualifications and Experience
Substantial experience of policy development and leading on evidence based research
Experience managing political and stakeholder relationships
Demonstrable understanding of current issues for the social and wider housing sector
Experience of working in the Social Housing Sector in one or more key disciplines
Stakeholder management experience
Change management experience
Senior level management experience leading a strategy/policy function
The client will consider part time applications for interim managers, but would prefer a full time appointment on a fixed term contract.