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Job title: Senior Development Officer
Contract term: Full time
Salary scale: £51,205 - £56,963 (plus essential car user allowance)
Work arrangements: 4-day (32 hour) working week (closed Friday) split between home and office (Dalkeith, Midlothian)
Closing date: 12noon on Friday 25 September 2026
Interviews: Tuesday 13 October
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of housing with Midlothian’s largest registered social landlord. In this new role of Senior Development Officer, you’ll lead the delivery of new homes, regeneration projects, and sustainability initiatives that make a lasting difference to people’s lives.
Melville Housing has a keen development programme and owns and manage almost 2,150 properties mainly in Midlothian but with some in South Lanarkshire as well as a small number across central and southern Scotland
With a key emphasis on hands-on project oversight, you’ll ensure our investment programmes are ambitious, financially robust, compliant, and focused on delivering high-quality homes for current and future customers.
In return, the successful candidate will receive sector-leading conditions of service including a 4-day working week (for full pay), hybrid working (2 days in office, 2 at home), a career average revalued earning pension scheme, 25 days annual leave (pro rata for 4-day week) and 13 public holidays per annum.
Key Responsibilities
- Development and Programme Leadership
You will lead the organisation’s strategic development pipeline, including social rent, mid-market rent (MMR), SHIP and early-stage opportunities. Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, the Scottish Government, developers, consultants, and landowners. Support feasibility work, viability assessments, and investment decision-making, and represent the organisation in key strategic forums.
- Project Delivery and Pre-Contract Management
You will oversee all pre-contract activity from feasibility through to contract award, ensuring compliance with procurement legislation and internal policies. Manage consultant and contractor appointments, lead early engagement with stakeholders, and ensure completed projects meet Secure by Design and Housing for Varying Needs standards.
- Delivery and Financial Oversight
Providing end-to-end oversight of live development projects, you will ensure delivery on time, within budget, and to high quality standards. You will monitor performance, milestones, and expenditure, maintaining robust financial control and cross-departmental coordination.
- Funding, Compliance and Reporting
You will lead on funding applications, grant submissions, and drawdowns, ensuring full compliance with AHSP requirements, grant conditions, and audit processes. A working knowledge of the Scottish Government HARP system is essential. You will also contribute to statutory reporting and community benefit delivery.
- Sustainability and Asset Investment
You will lead the organisation’s sustainability and investment programmes, including planned maintenance, retrofit, and decarbonisation initiatives. Ensure compliance with SHQS, EESSH, and building standards, while driving progress towards net zero ambitions. Oversee contractor performance, technical specifications, value-for-money analysis, and asset data reporting.
You will also need to have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.
How to Apply
We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate the skills, experience, and leadership required for this role. If you feel you have the relevant background and are excited by the opportunity to shape our development and sustainability agenda, we’re keen to hear from you.
Please submit your CV along with a covering letter outlining why you are suitable for the role to info@melville.org.uk.
To find out more about this position, please visit the recruitment section of our website (www.melville.org.uk).
No agencies please.
Melville Housing Association is a disability confident employer, an equal opportunity employer and registered charity SC032755.
