Not at all; the regeneration and business development director is a very important person. He or she runs a team that takes on all regeneration projects that have been started by the registered social landlord.
The job involves looking after financial matters, accessing grants from local authorities, writing boardroom reports and working on delivery plans. They also take charge of raising any extra cash.
Phew. Busy life.
"I work on a number of different projects at any one time," says Mike Dalzell, head of regeneration and business development at Leicester Housing Association. "At the moment for instance, I have just finished a draft for a local business award scheme to help regenerate part of Leicester, I am working on a £5m refurbishment programme with my team and finished off a deal for a £250,000 regional development fund made up of European finance, so it is pretty varied.
"Juggling projects and time management is probably the most difficult part of the job. You have to keep up to date with all new programmes and deals that are going on, and that can be quite a challenge."
Good money?
£30,000 is the average but some regeneration and business development directors are paid more.
But isn't regeneration the council's job?
You would mainly find regeneration and business development directors in local authorities but they are beginning to turn up in RSLs as their remit changes. Housing associations are building up their expertise as the number of homes they own grows, and that includes regeneration.
"The stock transfer programme has really caused my job to grow," says Dalzell.
"I started off as a development manager in 1999, but as Leicester Housing Association has taken on more responsibility with regeneration and business development, so have I.
"The range of work has changed. The amount of work I do has extended and I have more activities that before would have fallen under the local authority, but it is now my duty to take care of since the transfer – such as sorting out social and financial exclusion in the most deprived areas or sorting out schemes with local businesses."
What kind of skills do you need?
Negotiation and presentation are very important in terms of making a case for doing certain projects or solving certain problems rather than others. "You have to know what you are talking about if you are getting people to give you money," says Dalzell.
"Some of the knowledge is quite specific and background knowledge about regeneration initiatives are essential. Also, a willingness to find out and learn from those who have done it will help, because if you can use them you will do a better job."
What are the hours like?
Usually, the job involves working at least 30 hours a week. Some evening meetings may also be necessary.
Does that mean lots of travelling?
Most of the job is office-based but, often, regeneration and business development directors will need to visit future regeneration sites or local businesses.
Source
Housing Today
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