At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead housing operations, ensuring safe homes and positive outcomes for residents.
- Company: Local authority in South London focused on housing management and resident engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact during a period of transformation in housing services.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior leadership experience in housing operations and compliance required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to supporting all applicants.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 126000 £ per year.
Location: South London
Contract: Interim (6 months, with potential extension)
Day Rate: £700 per day (Inside IR35)
Working Pattern: Hybrid – approx. 2 days on site per week
We are partnering with a South London local authority seeking an experienced Interim Head of Housing Operations to provide strategic leadership across Housing Management, Asset Management, Compliance and Resident Engagement. This is a pivotal senior role responsible for delivering safe homes, compliant services, and positive outcomes for residents during a period of significant transformation and regulatory focus.
You will lead senior managers, assure service performance, drive improvement and oversee housing operations in line with statutory duties, regulatory standards and corporate priorities.
About the Interim Head of Housing Operations role:
- Provide strategic leadership and clear accountability for all housing and neighbourhood operational services, ensuring safe, effective and resident‑focused delivery.
- Lead Housing Management, Asset Management, Compliance and Resident Engagement teams, ensuring alignment and integrated service delivery.
- Ensure all operations meet statutory and regulatory requirements, including the expectations of the Regulator of Social Housing and Housing Ombudsman.
- Set the strategic direction for service delivery, translating corporate and housing strategies into operational plans, KPIs and performance expectations.
- Act as the senior responsible officer for building safety and housing compliance, ensuring risks are identified, monitored and mitigated effectively.
- Oversee core housing functions including tenancy management, income, ASB, sustainment, repairs and maintenance, capital investment and resident engagement.
- Lead and strengthen governance arrangements across housing operations, ensuring effective escalation, assurance and decision‑making.
- Provide strategic oversight of safeguarding cases, ensuring responsibilities are embedded across teams and robust oversight is in place.
- Drive performance management across services, taking decisive action where performance falls short of expected standards.
- Lead financial oversight of housing operations including HRA, capital delivery and general fund properties, ensuring budget discipline, value for money and long‑term sustainability.
- Lead major service transformation, organisational development and workforce planning, ensuring services are resilient and future‑ready.
- Build strong, transparent relationships with residents, Members, regulators, partners and stakeholders to enhance trust and accountability.
- Drive service improvement, innovation and transformation using data, insight, complaints and resident feedback to inform change.
- Lead complex, time‑critical change programmes including service recovery, regulatory readiness and operational transformation, maintaining pace and staff engagement.
Your experience as an Interim Head of Housing Operations:
- Extensive senior leadership experience within housing operations, asset management, compliance and/or resident engagement.
- Strong track record of delivering results through Service Managers and multidisciplinary teams in a complex, political or regulated environment.
- Deep understanding of statutory housing requirements, regulatory standards, compliance frameworks and building safety obligations.
- Experience making high‑stakes operational and strategic decisions using financial, performance and risk data.
- Skilled in managing senior stakeholders, including elected Members, regulators, community groups and senior officers.
- Proven experience driving cultural change, service transformation and organisational development across multiple services.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in high‑pressure, high‑risk environments with sound judgement and strong accountability.
- Proven ability to establish clear performance standards, provide constructive challenge and ensure delivery at pace.
- Experience using insight, complaints, performance data and resident feedback to drive improvement and shape strategic direction.
Qualifications:
- Relevant degree and/or postgraduate qualification preferred.
- NEBOSH Diploma, CIH Level 5 or membership of CIH/RICS desirable.
- Exceptional candidates with substantial senior housing leadership experience will be considered without formal qualifications.
If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who may be suitable please contact Melanie Machin or George Batson or apply today.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workforce. Recruitment decisions are based on skills and experience, and reasonable adjustments will be fully supported throughout the process.
Head of Housing Operations in London employer: Baltimore Consulting
Contact Detail:
Baltimore Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Housing Operations in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the housing sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the local authority's recent projects and challenges. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference in their housing operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your extensive experience aligns with the strategic leadership they need. Highlight your successes in driving service improvement and managing compliance effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our mission in transforming housing operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Housing Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in housing operations, compliance, and resident engagement. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the Head of Housing Operations role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about strategic leadership, so don’t hold back! Share examples of how you've led teams, driven performance improvements, and managed complex projects. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their impact in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate clarity and want to quickly understand what you bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Baltimore Consulting
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Head of Housing Operations role. Brush up on statutory housing requirements, compliance frameworks, and the latest regulatory standards. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to delivering safe and effective services.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your extensive senior leadership experience. Think about times when you’ve successfully led multidisciplinary teams or driven service transformation. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed competing priorities and made high-stakes decisions in complex environments.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves managing relationships with various stakeholders, come prepared with strategies for building trust and accountability. Share specific instances where you’ve effectively engaged with residents, elected Members, or regulators to enhance service delivery and drive improvement.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data, insights, and resident feedback to inform strategic direction and operational plans. Highlight your experience in performance management and how you’ve taken decisive action when standards fell short. This will show your analytical skills and commitment to continuous improvement.