Service Development Officer; Projects

Position: Housing Service Development Officer (Projects)
Housing Service Development Officer (PO5) Southeast London (Local Authority) Full-Time | Ongoing Temporary Contract | Immediate Start Hybrid Working – 2 days per week in the office PAYE: £30.33 per hour | Umbrella: £40.93 per hour About the Role A Southeast London Local Authority is seeking an experienced Housing Service Development Officer (PO5) to join their Service Improvement Team on an ongoing temporary basis.

This is a key opportunity to lead impactful transformation and service improvement projects across the Housing Directorate. You will play a central role in analysing current services, designing improved ways of working, and delivering change that enhances performance and customer experience. Working closely with the Housing Transformation Programme Manager , Head of Partnerships & Service Improvement , and senior stakeholders, you will manage projects end-to-end—ensuring delivery is on time, within budget, and achieves measurable benefits.

Key Responsibilities Lead large-scale, complex and high-impact service improvement and transformation projects Analyse existing housing business processes and implement improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness Manage full project life cycles, including planning, governance, risk, dependencies, and delivery Coordinate multiple project teams and work streams using a multi-disciplinary approach Drive the successful implementation and embedding of change across frontline, operational, and support services Monitor project budgets and track savings and benefits realisation Identify, manage, and escalate risks and issues effectively Develop and implement new procedures and process maps in collaboration with Heads of Service Work closely with central services (Finance, HR, Procurement) to support delivery of change Lead workshops, consultations, and engagement sessions with stakeholders Produce reports, briefings, and presentations for senior leadership and Members (DMT) Use data and insights to inform decisions, evaluate performance, and drive continuous improvement Supervise and task manage staff involved in project delivery About You Knowledge & Experience Strong understanding of project management methodologies and service improvement frameworks Proven experience delivering complex transformation and change programmes Experience in business process analysis, redesign, and implementation Track record of embedding sustainable change within operational teams Demonstrable experience working in a large, complex organisation (ideally within housing or the public sector) Strong stakeholder management experience, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively Experience leading, managing, and motivating teams to deliver successful outcomes Ability to work under pressure, managing competing priorities and tight deadlines Skills & Competencies Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal Strong project and programme management capability Ability to build effective partnerships across internal departments and external organisations Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data and provide clear insights Proactive, self-motivated, and highly organised Ability to adapt to changing priorities and environments Creative problem-solving skills with the ability to deliver innovative solutions Strong political awareness