At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead building safety and compliance for council housing, ensuring high standards and safety.
- Company: Join Sheffield City Council, a major social landlord with 40,000 properties in a vibrant city.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey in housing services, making a real impact on community safety.
- Qualifications: Strong background in building safety, especially in social housing; experience with regulatory bodies is essential.
- Other info: Applications close on 20th July 2025; diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 78000 - 84000 £ per year.
Client: Sheffield City Council
Salary: £78,484 to £84,067 per annum (pay award pending of 3.2% increase)
Length of Contract: Permanent
Introduction to Sheffield City Council
Thank you for your interest in this Assistant Director post in our housing service. This is an opportunity for an outstanding housing professional to take on one of the biggest, most challenging, and most rewarding jobs in the sector.
Sheffield City Council is one of the UK’s biggest social landlords, with a housing stock of around 40,000 tenanted and leasehold properties. At the heart of our growing and vibrant city, our housing service has a big role to play in the continued flourishing of the city. Central to that role is the safety, quality and long-term stewardship of the city’s housing stock.
We’ve created three brand new Assistant Director roles covering asset management, repairs and maintenance, and building safety and compliance, to lead on this objective. With a new ambitious Council Plan for the city launched earlier in 2024 laying out how we ensure Sheffield achieves its potential, and a new Housing Strategy freshly signed off in October articulating the role housing has to play at the heart of council services and a housing growth plan being finalised, there is a clear sense of momentum towards change and improvement - we are a city on the move, at the start of an exciting new chapter.
We have recently undertaken a thorough review of how we deliver housing services across all areas which has helped us see exactly what is working well and where we need to look again at how we do things. We recognise that there is significant room for improvement in how we manage and deliver services in some areas to provide a high quality, joined-up service for our residents. So as a result of the work done to date, we now have a clear view on where change needs to happen and a clear direction of travel. As a member of the Council’s Housing Leadership Team, you’ll shape this change collaborating with residents, colleagues and stakeholders.
About the Role
- As Assistant Director of Building Safety and Compliance, you will be the Council’s senior accountable officer for all aspects of building safety and compliance issues in our council housing stock, as well as overseeing the Council’s private sector housing service.
- Working closely with the Assistant Director of Asset Management, the Assistant Director of Repairs and Maintenance and with the wider Housing Leadership Team, the role will ensure the Council’s commitment to safety and compliance is delivered.
- We’ve recently invested in an expanded fire safety team, and we have several high-profile investment programmes underway or in planning, including a £40m refurbishment of 20 tower blocks.
- The Council is also preparing for Awaab’s Law, addressing a historic electrical safety testing backlog, and working to improve our gas safety processes to achieve full compliance. The role will work closely with our Housing Transformation Programme team to ensure the operating model for building safety and compliance supports the Council’s objectives.
- You will have a strong background of expertise in building safety matters for residential buildings and specific experience of the social housing sector (from either a local authority or housing association).
- Experience of working with the Building Safety Regulator, the Regulator of Social Housing and fire and rescue services is vital.
Indicative Timetable
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 20th July 2025
1st Stage Technical Interview (via MS Teams): Week Commencing 28th July 2025
Stakeholder Meetings: Week Commencing 11th August 2025
Final Stage Interview: Week Commencing 25th August 2025
How to Apply
If you are ready to lead with purpose and make an impact, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining how you meet the essential criteria to by Sunday 20th July 2025 at midnight.
Sheffield City Council are investing in their workforce and are promoting opportunities to under-represented groups. They value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of their workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that their teams reflect the communities in the city they serve.
Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance employer: Greenacre Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Greenacre Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Sheffield City Council's recent initiatives and housing strategies. Understanding their goals and challenges will help you demonstrate your alignment with their vision during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the building safety and compliance sector, especially those who have experience with local authorities or housing associations. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed building safety issues in the past. Highlight your experience with regulatory bodies and any relevant projects that showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current legislation and best practices related to building safety and compliance. Being knowledgeable about Awaab’s Law and other relevant regulations will show your commitment to the role and the sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in building safety and compliance, particularly within the social housing sector.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should clearly outline how your skills and experiences align with the essential criteria mentioned in the job description. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your expertise in building safety matters and your ability to lead change.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on your experience working with the Building Safety Regulator and other relevant authorities. Include any specific projects or initiatives you've led that relate to building safety and compliance, especially those that showcase your leadership skills.
Showcase Your Commitment to Diversity: Given Sheffield City Council's emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusion, consider including a statement in your application that reflects your commitment to these values. Mention any initiatives you've been involved in that promote diversity within teams or communities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Greenacre Recruitment Ltd
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Building Safety & Compliance. Familiarise yourself with Sheffield City Council's recent initiatives and challenges in housing safety and compliance, as this will help you demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your background in building safety, particularly within the social housing sector. Highlight specific experiences where you've worked with regulatory bodies like the Building Safety Regulator or fire and rescue services, as this will be crucial for the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in the past. Discuss your approach to teamwork and how you can contribute to the Housing Leadership Team's objectives.
✨Align with Council Values
Sheffield City Council values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you can support these values in your role. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to fostering an inclusive environment within housing services.