Director of Development

Director of Development

The Calico Group
Salary: £105,000 and Car allowance
Hours: 36.25 hours per week. We would also consider applications from candidates seeking part-time working arrangements.

Make a real difference through development

At The Calico Group, our purpose is simple: to make a real difference to people’s lives.

We’re looking for an experienced, values-led and commercially astute Director of Development to lead our development function and shape the future delivery of high-quality, affordable homes.

This is an exciting senior leadership opportunity for someone who wants to do more than deliver numbers. You’ll help us make the right investment decisions for our customers and communities, ensuring our development programme balances housing need, quality, social impact, risk and long-term financial sustainability.

What you’ll be doing

As our Director of Development, you’ll lead the development function across The Calico Group, establishing and delivering a viable, high-quality programme of new affordable homes.

• Working collaboratively with Calico Homes, Ring Stones, Syncora and colleagues across the wider Group, you’ll use local insight and expertise to identify opportunities that respond to the needs of the people and communities we serve.
• Shape and lead our Development Strategy and maintain a strong, viable pipeline of future opportunities.
• Lead the appraisal, acquisition, funding, planning and delivery of new affordable homes.
• Ensure development decisions are underpinned by customer need, local insight, financial viability, quality, sustainability and effective risk management.
• Maximise grant funding and other appropriate external investment.
• Build trusted relationships with Homes England, local authorities, funders, developers, contractors and other strategic partners.
• Provide high-quality advice and assurance to Executive Teams, Boards and Committees.
• Ensure our development investment creates wider benefits for local communities wherever possible, including employment, skills and social value opportunities.
• Lead, develop and inspire our Development Team, creating an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for a credible and experienced development leader who combines strong commercial judgement with a genuine commitment to customers, communities and social purpose.

You’ll bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within affordable housing development, construction, property or a related sector.
• A strong track record of identifying, appraising and delivering housing development opportunities from concept through to completion.
• Experience of development appraisal, financial planning, investment decision-making and securing external funding.
• Strong knowledge of affordable housing development and the wider social housing environment.
• Experience of advising Executive Teams and Boards and working within robust governance arrangements.
• The ability to develop effective relationships with local authorities, funders, developers, contractors and strategic partners.
• Excellent leadership, communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• The ability to balance commercial considerations with customer need, social purpose and long-term sustainability.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in Housing, Construction, Development, Surveying, Planning, Property or a related discipline.

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who shares our values and understands the difference that great homes and thoughtful investment can make to people’s lives.

Why Calico?

We might not have the biggest development programme in the sector, but that’s part of what makes this opportunity different.

Our Group brings together housing, construction, support, care, health and wellbeing, skills and employment. We’re locally rooted and work alongside our customers, communities and partners to understand what is really needed.

For our Director of Development, that creates an opportunity to see the impact of the decisions you make and to help create homes that genuinely improve lives.

What we offer

Alongside a salary of £95,000, you’ll benefit from:

• 36 days' annual leave, including Bank Holidays and three days between Christmas and New Year.
• 36.25-hour standard working week, with part-time applications also considered.
• SHPS Defined Contribution Pension Scheme, with employer contributions based on employee contribution levels.
• Health cash plan and health insurance benefits from the sixth month of employment, subject to terms and conditions.
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing learning and development through our Calico Campus.

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re motivated by purpose, passionate about creating high-quality affordable homes and excited by the opportunity to shape a sustainable development programme with real community impact, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement of no more than two pages outlining your most relevant professional skills and experience.

Closing date: 19 October 2026
Final interviews: 30 October 2026

If you’d like an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact Chloe Pinder at cpinder@calico.org.uk.

The Calico Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people. Successful candidates will also need to demonstrate that their values and behaviours align with ours throughout the recruitment process.