At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the future of private rented housing in Canterbury.
- Company: Join Canterbury City Council and make a real difference in housing standards.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and employee perks.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of national housing reform and influence positive change.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 48072 - 54994 £ per year.
Location: Canterbury
Salary: From £61,645.19 per annum (plus £3,621 car allowance)
Job type: Full time, Permanent
Hours: 37 Hours per week
Closing Date: 30th July 2026
Do you believe everyone deserves a safe, secure, and good-quality home? Are you an experienced housing or environmental health professional ready to lead, influence, and shape the future of the private rented sector? This is a rare opportunity to join Canterbury City Council in a leadership role at a time of major national reform, including implementation of the Renters' Rights Act.
What's in it for you?
- Annual cost-of-living pay award
- Flexible, hybrid working arrangements
- Generous annual leave starting at 26 days increasing to 31 days after 5 years' service plus 3 additional days over Christmas, with the option to buy more
- Local government pension scheme
- Support for career development, including training opportunities and cover for Professional Body Membership fees
- Employee perks, including multiple retailer and lifestyle discounts
- Free use of Canterbury's Park and Ride, flexi bus tickets, and a cycle to work scheme
- Access to free counselling, advice and webinars through our employee assistance programme, as well as contributions to the cost of Flu Jabs
About this role:
This role provides strategic and operational leadership for Private Sector Housing within Locality Services, reporting to the Head of Locality Services. You will lead a complex statutory service at a time of significant national reform, including implementation of the Renters' Rights Act, by setting clear direction, developing policy, assuring compliance and driving continuous service improvement.
You will lead and support a multidisciplinary team, manage significant budgets and resources, and act as the Council's expert adviser on housing regulation, enforcement, contractor management and policy. A key part of the role will be building strong relationships with stakeholders, government bodies and the wider community, representing Canterbury City Council at officer, member and public meetings to advance housing standards and strategic priorities.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the Private Sector Housing Team
- Delivering statutory housing functions
- Leading implementation of the Renters' Rights Act
- Setting long-term objectives and monitoring service performance
- Delivery of stock condition survey programmes
- Overseeing Disabled Facilities Grants and adaptations within our own housing stock
- Managing the Social Letting Agency
- Partnership working and representing the team at officer, member and public meetings
About you:
Your qualifications:
- Degree or professional qualification in Environmental Health, Housing, Surveying or a related field
- Leadership or management training
- Enhanced DBS check and references will be required for the successful applicant
Your knowledge:
- Demonstrable knowledge of Renter Right Act 2025, Housing Act 2004, Housing & Planning Act 2016, HHSRS and related statutory frameworks
- Understanding of regulatory codes of practice, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
- Extensive knowledge on construction, building engineering services, materials and common property defects
- Understanding of contract and procurement processes relevant to DFG and works in default
Your experience:
- Extensive management experience within local authority housing, private sector housing, environmental health or another regulatory service
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, setting service priorities and driving improvement in a complex statutory environment
- Experience of managing budgets, contractors and commissioned works, including Disabled Facilities Grants, adaptations or works in default
- Experience communicating confidently with a range of audiences and influencing strategic direction across the private rented sector
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at Canterbury City Council:
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in everything we do. We provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is valued, included, and respected. Our diversity strengthens our ability to serve the diverse communities we support through our work.
To demonstrate this through our actions, all applications are anonymised for the shortlisting panel, allowing all applicants to be assessed on merit alone.
Please click the Apply button and you will be redirected to the council's website to begin your application form.
Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of; Housing Manager, Senior Housing Advisor, Lead Housing Manager, Private Sector Housing, Housing Manager, Housing Services, Customer Housing Officer, Supported Housing Officer, Senior Social Housing Worker, may also be considered.
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