Interim Head of Service and Housing Needs in London

We are working with a local authority in Sussex that is seeking an experienced and highly capable Interim Housing Service Manager to provide senior leadership across Housing Services during a temporary management arrangement.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced housing professional to lead housing needs, homelessness prevention, housing allocations, housing solutions, rough sleeping initiatives and housing development activity within a high-performing district council.
You will work directly with the Director of Resources, providing strategic and operational leadership across a broad housing portfolio while ensuring delivery of statutory housing duties and maintaining excellent outcomes for residents. The majority of the work will require independent action, initiative and problem solving.
Contract: Until September 2027
Rate: £650 per day inside IR35
4 days per week
Location: Sussex
Key duties:
Provide strategic leadership across Housing Services, acting as the Council's principal adviser on homelessness, housing needs, allocations and housing policy
Lead the delivery of homelessness prevention, housing advice, temporary accommodation, rough sleeping initiatives, resettlement programmes and housing register services
Ensure the Council meets its statutory obligations under housing and homelessness legislation, with legally compliant and robust decision-making
Oversee complex homelessness cases, safeguarding matters and high-risk housing situations
Lead and develop Housing Needs and Housing Solutions teams, driving performance, customer service excellence and continuous improvement
Monitor service performance, statutory targets and customer outcomes, implementing improvements where required
Support affordable housing delivery, housing growth initiatives and programmes that increase housing supply and reduce homelessness pressures
Build strong relationships with Registered Providers, developers, local authorities and key strategic partners
Manage service budgets, contracts, commissioning activity and performance reporting, ensuring value for money and strong governance
Prepare and present reports to Members, Committees, Corporate Leadership Teams and external stakeholders
Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, equality, complaints and wider regulatory requirements
Represent the Council at regional housing forums, partnership boards and multi-agency meetings
The successful candidate will have:
Significant senior leadership experience within local authority housing
Extensive knowledge of homelessness, housing needs and allocations legislation
Strong experience of service improvement and performance management
This role would suit an experienced Head of Housing, Housing Operations Manager, Housing Needs Manager or Assistant Director seeking a high-impact interim assignment during a period of organisational change.
Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and welcomes applications from all candidates.
#J-18808-Ljbffr