At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive the development of new supported living units across the Southeast region.
- Company: Join a growing, values-led health and social care group making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, mileage allowance, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and travel.
- Why this job: Shape housing strategies and make a positive impact in supported living.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing development within health or social care is essential.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
Salary: £65,000 per annum + mileage (45p per mile)
Hours: Permanent, Full-Time
Location: Hertfordshire (South England)
Setting: Supported Living – Learning Disabilities, Autism and Complex Needs
For this role you need experience within CQC regulated environments.
Overview: Compass Associates is working in partnership with a growing, values-led health and social care group to appoint a Housing Development Manager within their Supported Living division. The organisation operates across multiple specialist care divisions and has an ambitious, well-funded growth strategy. They are expanding their supported living footprint into the South of England and need someone who can drive that pipeline from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to join a business at a pivotal point in its development, with genuine scope to shape the housing strategy across a defined region.
The Candidate: The successful candidate will be someone who is energised by identifying and securing new housing opportunities, building relationships with registered providers, landlords, developers, and commissioners, and converting those relationships into high-quality supported living schemes. You will be values-driven, commercially sharp, and comfortable working at pace across a wide geography. You will need to demonstrate a track record in housing development within supported living or a closely related field, with hands-on experience of lease negotiation, SLAs, Housing Benefit structures, and working with registered social landlords. You will be confident representing the organisation externally, holding your own in meetings with commissioners, ICBs, local authorities, and housing agents alike. Crucially, you will understand that growth done well means working closely with operational teams, not ahead of them. The ability to bring internal colleagues on the journey, maintain transparency, and ensure every new scheme is operationally ready before handover is just as important as the ability to spot and progress opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Housing and Service Development
- Deliver an agreed pipeline of new supported living units across the Southeast region
- Identify, source, and secure housing opportunities through agents, developers, online platforms, and partner networks
- Develop bespoke housing solutions as part of capital-funded projects
- Ensure all new homes are developed to meet supported living specifications
- Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with registered providers, social landlords, housing developers, housing agents, and private landlords
- Work closely with commissioners, local authorities, and ICBs to align growth plans with local demand
- Liaise with the Business Development Manager to secure and progress new opportunities
- Keep the stakeholder and housing opportunity database accurate and up to date
- Commercial, Governance and Reporting
- Develop robust business cases for new opportunities
- Review and negotiate SLAs, leases, and related housing documentation
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of Housing Benefit, rent structures, and financial viability
- Produce monthly progress reports covering pipeline activity, delivery progress, risks, and opportunities
- Project Delivery and Compliance
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress, quality, and timelines
- Liaise with contractors, obtain quotes, and oversee works where required
- Arrange and oversee compliance checks including gas, electrical, and fire safety
- Ensure structured handover of new services to operational teams
- Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with Operations, Quality, People, Finance, and IT teams to ensure new schemes are delivered compliantly and sustainably
- Ensure internal stakeholders are informed and briefed ahead of mobilisation
- Maintain oversight of the existing housing portfolio, flagging lease expiry risks and reprovision needs early
Essential Requirements:
- Proven experience developing supported living services within health, social care, or supported housing (CQC)
- Strong working knowledge of commissioners, local authorities, and ICBs
- Lease negotiation experience is a priority; candidates must be able to review, negotiate, and progress lease agreements with confidence
- Experience with SLAs and working with registered providers and landlords
- Solid understanding of Housing Benefit, rent structures, and financial viability
- Experience developing business cases and managing pipelines through approval processes
- Confident stakeholder communicator at all levels, internal and external
- Highly organised with strong time management and reporting discipline
- Willingness to travel regularly across the South of England
- Values-driven approach with a genuine commitment to person-centred supported living
Salary and Benefits:
- £65,000 per annum
- Mileage allowance at 45p per mile
- 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Monthly team meeting in Stevenage; otherwise flexible and field-based
Application Process:
To apply or find out more, please contact Andy at Compass Associates for a confidential discussion. Andy Munyimi 0161 527 9632 amunyimi@compassltd.co.uk
Recommendations:
Compass Associates Ltd acts as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy. Successful referrals receive £500 in vouchers or a £500 charity donation.
About Compass Associates:
Established in 2009, Compass Associates is an award-winning, UK specialist Health and Social Care Recruitment Consultancy providing tailored, high-quality recruitment solutions across permanent assignments.
Housing Development Manager – Supported Living employer: Compass
Compass Associates is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a meaningful impact in the supported living sector. With a strong focus on values-driven care, employees benefit from a supportive culture that encourages professional growth and collaboration across teams. Located in Hertfordshire, this role provides the unique opportunity to shape housing strategies while enjoying competitive benefits, including a generous salary, mileage allowance, and flexible working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Development Manager – Supported Living
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Compass.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Compass!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Compass, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Compass or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Development Manager – Supported Living
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Compass:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Compass! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
