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- Tasks: Lead the housing improvement and licensing services to ensure safe homes for all residents.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a vibrant community recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and support for diverse abilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a culturally rich area while driving positive change in housing standards.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in regulatory services and managing grants is essential.
- Other info: The role requires a basic DBS check and offers support for applicants with disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Lewisham Council’s Housing Service is seeking a newHead of Private Sector Licencing and Home Improvement as part of our senior leadership team in the Housing Services Directorate.
The role
It’s an exciting time to join us. Lewisham is a vibrant and rewarding place to live and work –full of ambition, energy and a huge amount of potential. Our people are passionate, diverse and engaged in the work we do. We are proud of our strong, welcoming communities and of being recognised as the UK’s first borough of Sanctuary.
It’s also a challenging time for us, with significant financial pressure and increasing demand for our services. We are meeting this challenge head on, with a radical and bold change agenda underway across the organisation.
Here in the housing service, we are passionate about our vision that everyone has a safe, stable and genuinely affordable home where they can live an independent and prosperous life. Maintaining high standards and ensuring safety in the private rented sector is essential. To support this, we operate Selective Licensing, Additional HMO Licensing, and Mandatory Licensing schemes. The Housing Improvement and Assistance Team works to support vulnerable residents who need aids and adaptations to enable them to continue to live independently in their homes as well as providing a range of capital grants to support landlords to bring empty homes back into occupation and ensure homes are free from hazards.
We are ambitious with a clear strategy to deliver on our vision. This role is a critical part of delivering our vision.
What we’re looking for
Reporting to the Director of Housing Strategy, the Head of Private Sector Licencing and Home Improvement will lead a service area that provides strategic direction for the Council’s housing improvement and assistance service and the property licensing and enforcement function. This is an area of the division with big ambition, as we have recently expanded our property licencing schemes and have seen an increase in applications from residents for support from our grants, specifically the Disabled Facilities Grant.
Managing a service of up to 100 staff the post-holder will lead our ambitions to work proactively within the private rented sector to drive up standards and safety for Lewisham’s residents. With expertise in the legal framework of regulation and licensing, you’ll be at the forefront of operationalising our new licensing scheme, and will maximise their impact through innovative new approaches to engaging with our residents.
You will also be responsible for utilising a home assistance grant of £2million a year to support our most vulnerable residents to live in safe and secure homes from which they can live independent lives.
We’re looking for a strategic and inspirational leader, communicator and manager who can demonstrate strong experience of delivering an operational income-generating service, ideally with a background in commercial or regulatory and enforcement services as well as a strong background and experience in managing Disabled Facilities Grants services. If you are excited by this challenge, we want to hear from you.
Location
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Salary
N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Special conditions
- The job is subject to a basic DBS check
- The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs.
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Closing date: 22 August 2025
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Head of Private Sector Licensing and Home Improvement employer: London Borough of Lewisham
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Lewisham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Private Sector Licensing and Home Improvement
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Lewisham's housing policies and the specific licensing schemes they operate. Understanding the local context and challenges will help you demonstrate your commitment to improving housing standards in the area during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the housing sector, especially those involved in regulatory and enforcement services. Engaging with others in the field can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to valuable connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss innovative approaches to engaging with residents and driving up standards in the private rented sector. Think about examples from your past experience where you've successfully implemented similar strategies, as this will showcase your leadership capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your experience with managing grants, particularly in relation to Disabled Facilities Grants. Be ready to share specific outcomes from your previous roles that demonstrate your ability to support vulnerable residents effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Private Sector Licensing and Home Improvement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of the Head of Private Sector Licensing and Home Improvement. Highlight key skills and experiences that align with the role.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your application to reflect your relevant experience in housing services, regulatory frameworks, and leadership. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to manage teams and drive improvements.
Showcase Your Vision: Articulate your vision for the role and how you plan to contribute to Lewisham's goals. Discuss innovative approaches you would implement to enhance safety and standards in the private rented sector.
Follow Application Guidelines: Ensure you adhere to the application process outlined by Lewisham Council. Remember, they do not accept CVs, so focus on providing a well-structured application form that highlights your qualifications and motivations.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Lewisham
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Head of Private Sector Licensing and Home Improvement role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as leading the housing improvement service and managing licensing schemes. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this position involves managing a team of up to 100 staff, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and past experiences. Highlight examples where you've successfully led teams, driven change, or improved service delivery in a similar context.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Regulatory Frameworks
Since expertise in the legal framework of regulation and licensing is crucial, brush up on relevant laws and regulations. Be ready to discuss how you would operationalise new licensing schemes and ensure compliance within the private rented sector.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges in the housing sector. Think about potential issues related to safety standards or resident engagement, and prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate your strategic thinking.
