A monthly look at the reality behind the job title.
I've never heard of them.
That's probably because you work down South or for a district council. Large northern councils and London boroughs are more likely to employ principal strategy officers.

What do they do?
A principal strategy officer is a middle to senior management position. PSOs, as they're known, head a team of officers and are in charge of research and development into all housing issues.

The brief usually includes being responsible for housing strategy, preparing the annual housing investment programme submission and housing revenue account business plan, preparing reports for senior management and council members and taking charge of updating statistical records.

They will work closely with registered social landlords, social and health services and community schemes such as Sure Start.

A PSO will often help with the review of existing housing policies and procedures, providing guidance on surveys and research projects and assess the needs for additional housing in the council area. A major part of the job is to prepare development briefs to secure social housing sites.

What kind of person does that?
A PSO needs people and project management skills, plus the ability to influence and take others with them. Being able to balance priorities and absorb and identify the implications of new policies is also important.

Stuck in the office all day, then?
Mainly, yes. But mixing with the private sector is an essential element, so a PSO will have to represent the housing department at working groups and meetings with external bodies.

Do they earn a lot?
£27,000-£29,000 on average, £5000 more in London.

You always have to take the bigger picture into account while scrutinising detail – and we work to very short deadlines

Pippa Hack, principal strategy officer, Greenwich council

Long hours?
A PSO would expect to work at least 35 hours a week and have about 30 days' holiday.

What's the best part of the job?
"The breadth of work: areas from housing needs, investment options to Supporting People in a large, diverse borough," says Pippa Hack, principal strategy officer at Greenwich council in south-east London.

And the most challenging part?
"You always have to take into account the bigger picture while constantly scrutinising detail," says Hack. "We also sometimes have to work to very short deadlines and do several different tasks at once."

How would I become a PSO?
You'd need a BSc in housing, a postgraduate MSc in housing or a conversion course, Chartered Institute of Housing Level 2 certificate or NVQ equivalent.

Then you would move to the job from a senior post in an authority, RSL or consultancy that involved influencing strategic policy.

Any tips?
Work on your tangential and lateral thinking. "It's not about who you know," says Hack.

Source

Housing Today