At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate temporary accommodation services to support vulnerable residents.
- Company: Westminster City Council, dedicated to building a fairer city.
- Benefits: Flexible working patterns, commitment to diversity, and supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to engage with diverse teams and drive meaningful change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community and improve housing outcomes.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in housing or homelessness prevention with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
As Head of Service for Temporary Accommodation, you will make a powerful contribution to Westminster City Council’s vision of building a fairer city. You will oversee emergency and longer‑term temporary accommodation arrangements, ensuring placements are compliant, safe, suitable and delivered with dignity.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership over both emergency and longer‑term temporary accommodation services.
- Ensure placement compliance, safety and suitability while maintaining dignity for residents.
- Drive data‑led decision‑making to improve forecasting, value for money and sustainable response.
- Collaborate with Heads of Service, finance, supply teams and external providers in a political environment.
- Promote high performance, innovation and flexible delivery to prevent homelessness and improve housing outcomes.
- Engage with government agencies, community organisations and residents, responding to issues with empathy and clear reasoning.
Qualifications & Experience
- Senior strategic experience in local authority, government office or voluntary sector focused on housing need or homelessness prevention.
- Proven track record of delivering and improving temporary accommodation or related services.
- Experience managing diverse, multi‑disciplinary teams and leading complex change initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of local government, policy, legislation and advocacy relating to homelessness.
- Financial management experience, including budget and resources planning for sustainability and growth.
- Familiarity with performance metrics, analytics and data‑driven decision‑making.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Westminster City Council is committed to achieving diverse shortlists and will use the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010 to appoint a candidate from a global majority background where a choice exists. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds.
Care Leavers
Care leavers seeking their first job and who wish to be considered under our scheme will automatically be invited to interview if they meet the essential criteria for the role.
Benefits & Working Patterns
Our staff benefit from a range of flexible working patterns and Agile working arrangements.
Head of Service - Temporary Accommodation WCC624176 in City of Westminster employer: CityWest Homes
Westminster City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a fairer city through its commitment to social justice and community well-being. With a strong focus on employee growth, the council offers flexible working patterns and agile arrangements that promote work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional development in a supportive environment. Joining our team means being part of a collaborative culture that values innovation and high performance, all while making a meaningful impact on housing outcomes for residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Temporary Accommodation WCC624176 in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Westminster City Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research the council's recent initiatives on temporary accommodation and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a mate to do a mock interview with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - Temporary Accommodation WCC624176 in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Service role. Highlight your strategic leadership experience and how it aligns with our vision at Westminster City Council.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your proven track record in managing temporary accommodation services. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to drive data-led decision-making and improve housing outcomes.
Emphasise Collaboration Skills:We want to see how you’ve worked with diverse teams and external partners. Share instances where you’ve successfully collaborated in a political environment to achieve common goals, especially in homelessness prevention.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at CityWest Homes
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of temporary accommodation services. Brush up on local government policies, legislation, and any recent changes in homelessness prevention strategies. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also committed to making a real impact.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led diverse teams and managed complex change initiatives. Think about times when you’ve driven innovation or improved service delivery. This is your chance to demonstrate your strategic leadership capabilities and how they align with the council’s vision.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data analytics to inform your decisions in previous roles. Highlight specific metrics you’ve tracked and how they’ve influenced your approach to improving housing outcomes. This will illustrate your ability to make informed, impactful choices.
✨Empathy is Key
Given the nature of the role, it’s crucial to convey your understanding of the challenges faced by residents. Prepare to discuss how you’ve engaged with community organisations and government agencies, and how you’ve responded to issues with empathy and clear reasoning. This will show that you’re not just a numbers person but also someone who cares about the people involved.
