At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing legal team managing housing disrepair and related claims.
- Company: Join East End Homes, a dynamic organisation focused on social housing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, pension contributions, gym membership, and a medical cash plan.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in social housing while developing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with expertise in housing litigation.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence policy and develop a strong internal legal team.
The predicted salary is between 81412 - 85505 £ per year.
Location: Resolution Plaza, Head Office (with regular travel to local housing offices)
Grade/Salary: £81412 to £85505
Reports To: Chief Executive
Contract Type: Permanent/Full Time/hybrid
Role Purpose
Lead a high-performing in-house service team supporting East End Homes in managing housing disrepair and related claims. Provide expert legal advice across social housing matters—tenancy enforcement, rent arrears, ASB, and leasehold—ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and improving customer outcomes. The role will contribute to policy development by providing legal input, not by drafting or owning policy.
Key Responsibilities
- Disrepair & Housing Conditions
- Develop and implement disrepair strategy to reduce incidence, cost, and reputational risk.
- Oversee case management, ensuring quality pleadings, evidence, and settlement strategies.
- Ensure compliance with Pre-Action Protocols; design templates and workflows to track outcomes.
- Identify root causes and work with operational teams to prevent recurrence.
- Manage external legal providers, driving value through negotiated rates and KPIs.
- Social Housing Legal Advisory
- Advise on tenancy matters, enforcement, and statutory obligations.
- Lead legal action for statutory access, injunctions, and possession claims.
- Support income recovery strategies and ASB enforcement with proportionate remedies.
- Input into draft policies to ensure legal compliance and clarity.
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Set litigation strategy, authorise settlements, and manage costs.
- Prepare for hearings, instruct counsel, and oversee witness preparation.
- Embed learning from cases into policy and process improvements.
- Leadership
- Build and develop an internal legal team; define career pathways.
- Influence stakeholders and provide clear advice to Exec and Board.
- Deliver training to frontline staff on legal processes and compliance.
Person Specification
- Qualifications
- Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales) with current practising certificate.
- Experience
- Expertise in housing litigation and disrepair within social housing or local authority.
- Proven ability to manage complex cases, external providers, and budgets.
- Experience advising senior leadership and drafting policies.
- Skills
- Strong knowledge of UK housing law, litigation strategy, and regulatory requirements.
- Excellent advocacy, negotiation, and risk management skills.
- Data-driven approach to performance and decision-making.
- Values & Behaviours
- High integrity, sound judgment, resilience, and ability to work at pace.
Benefits
- 33 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Pension – up to 10% Employer Contribution
- £200 – Gym Membership contribution
- Medical Cash Plan
Head of Legal in London employer: East End Homes
Contact Detail:
East End Homes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in social housing. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK housing law and recent cases. We want you to showcase your expertise and confidence when discussing tenancy enforcement and disrepair strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Head of Legal position. We love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Legal role. Highlight your experience in housing litigation and disrepair, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in social housing law and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Legal Expertise: In your application, be sure to demonstrate your strong knowledge of UK housing law and your experience with complex cases. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how you’ve successfully managed similar challenges in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at East End Homes
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Brush up on your knowledge of UK housing law, especially around disrepair and tenancy enforcement. Be ready to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact the role. This shows you’re not just qualified but also genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built and developed teams in the past. Think about specific instances where you influenced stakeholders or delivered training. This will demonstrate your ability to lead a high-performing legal team effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to housing litigation or disrepair claims. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies. This will help interviewers see how you approach complex legal challenges.
✨Understand Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the company’s values and behaviours, such as integrity and resilience. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples from your experience that reflect these traits.
