Place Division is part of the Housing and Regeneration Directorate within the Local Government, Housing, Rural Resilience and Sustainability Group at Welsh Government. This post plays a key part in ensuring that everyone in Wales has a safe, affordable place to call home in the community they would like to live in. The work of the directorate is varied, fast paced and keenly focused on delivery for ministers and the people of Wales. Our work spans land acquisition and use, supporting home building, regeneration of our towns, cities and villages, supporting those who live in our homes and communities and acting as system steward to ensure the quality of what we build, the quality of places we build in and of landlord and resident services.

The division's purpose, and therefore the purpose of the post, is to work in partnership across the directorate and wider Welsh Government and with other governments and partners to:

• Lead the establishment of Unnos, a land development body for Wales which enables the delivery of more homes across the country through unblocking barriers, securing private finance and bringing land forward for build.
• Lead and manage the land portfolio to support the government's target of delivering 20,000 affordable homes over four years. The portfolio consists of c27 sites owned by Welsh Ministers with a current book value of c£43m.
• Ensure there are effective delivery systems in place which direct investment toward building the right homes in the right places to meet the nation's needs and improving the vibrancy and viability of town centres.
• Lead on the current Transforming Towns Programme and on the outcome of the Town Centre Taskforce to drive successful regeneration of town centres across Wales, which seeks to unlock more strategic sites/opportunities, tackle empty properties on the High Street, maximise community and cultural assets, take forward more public realm projects and support business infrastructure, and increase the appeal and viability of town centre living for all.
• Lead on the delivery and implementation of Community Right to Buy legislation to improve community rights to buy local assets of community value.

We seek candidates who have proven experience in the property market and built environment sector, including land development. You must be qualified to MRICS. Experience of understanding how government operates, gained through working within, alongside, or engaging with government organisations. We also see candidates who can evidence the following success profile behaviours:

Seeing the big picture

• Create joined up strategies that put into practice and support the government's vision for the future.

Making effective decisions

• Make sense of a wide range of political and national pressures and influences to develop strategies which meet organisational goals

Delivering at pace

• Establish an inclusive culture which allows people space and authority to deliver their objectives whilst ensuring appropriate support is in place when needed

Communicating and influencing

• Influence external partners, stakeholders and customers successfully securing mutually beneficial outcomes

To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.

Documents

Deputy Director Place - Candidate Pack Final (English).pdf

Deputy Director Place - Candidate Pack Final (Cymraeg).pdf

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
4.00pm Friday 16 October 2026

Short listing
Wednesday 12 October 2026

Assessment
Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 October 2026

Final panel
Wednesday 17 November 2026

How to Apply

GatenbySanderson is supporting Welsh Government with this appointment. For a confidential first conversation to explore your suitability please contact Rosanne Sarratt - Rosanne.sarratt@gatenbysanderson.com

To apply please submit your paperwork using this link and following the guidance contained here: https://cais.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/brand-7/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/3/opp/4205-Deputy-Director-Place-Division/en-GB