Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Maple and May team in managing a growing property portfolio and developing new housing models.
- Company: Choice Housing Association, a leading charity in Northern Ireland's housing sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and strong pension contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in housing while leading innovative projects for the community.
- Qualifications: Degree in property or related field and 5 years' senior experience in property management.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth and support for personal development.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 76000 £ per year.
Your new company
The services of Hays have been retained by our client, Choice Housing Association, to recruit a Head of Intermediate Rent who will lead their Maple and May subsidiary business. Choice Housing is a registered charity and one of Northern Ireland's largest independent housing associations. As an organisation, they manage over 13,000 homes and provide services to more than 33,000 tenants. Established in 2018, Maple and May has grown to c. 340 private rental properties. It has worked alongside parent company Choice in delivering several landmark mixed tenure projects in recent years, including the Kings Hall and the former Park Avenue Hotel sites in Belfast. It also delivered 62 private rental and affordable homes in one of NI's largest new-build schemes at Rosses Gate, Derry / Londonderry.
This post has been created following the recent selection (by DfC) of Maple and May as preferred operator for a pilot project to deliver 300 new Intermediate Rent homes at locations across NI. The existing Maple and May team has been working on a pipeline of new projects to deliver this new portfolio, some of which are already on site and due to complete in May / June 2026.
Your new role
Intermediate Rent is a new housing rental model in NI where properties will be offered at a 20% discount to local Market Rents to eligible (lower income) households supported by a low-cost government loan. Intermediate Rent will double the size of the existing Maple and May portfolio in the next 3 years. The value of properties in ownership will grow from c. £40m (current) to around £100m. As Head of Maple and May, you will take the lead in running this Company, which includes the existing portfolio and the new Intermediate Rent portfolio. A further Maple and May subsidiary Company also delivers Affordable Homes for sale, which will also fall within your remit, albeit operating at a much smaller scale.
Key work streams include Tenancy and Portfolio Management along with completion and handover of new-build schemes (on-site delivery led by the Choice Development Team). You will manage a small team that is largely focussed on day-to-day property and portfolio management, with wider group level and external support. Significant preparatory work will be required to enable the launch of the new Intermediate Rent product towards the middle of 2026. This will include the design and delivery of a new Intermediate Rent Lettings Policy and the establishment of a lettings and management platform (working with colleagues in IT) that will allow Tenancy Applications (including household income checks) to be processed efficiently. New marketing and operating / reporting procedures will also be required. Whilst again benefitting from significant Group support, the new Head of Maple and May will take the lead in delivering new approaches and processes in the efficient oversight of the Maple and May portfolio.
A full job description is available on request.
What you’ll need to succeed
- A degree or equivalent in property, housing, real estate or related discipline.
- 5 years’ experience in a senior level role within the property sector, ideally within PRS, residential portfolio management, or housing.
- Proven experience running or overseeing a significant property portfolio of £30m.
- Experience of business planning, budgeting, and KPI management.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to design and secure approval for an intermediate rent lettings policy.
- Ability to maintain long-term accountability and reporting to Dfc over a 25-year period.
- Strong financial and governance discipline to manage £60m of public loan funding.
- Full UK driving licence and access to private transport.
What you’ll get in return
Choice Housing offers a superb range of perks and benefits to complement a modern work-life balance, as outlined below:
- Salary - c. £67,000 per annum
- 28 days annual leave and 12 public holidays
- 12% employer pension contribution
- Essential car user allowance inclusive of car parking
- Hybrid working - currently 3 remote days per week
- Flexible working
- Death in service payment x3 annual salary
- 6 months paid maternity leave, and 2 weeks paid paternity leave
- Bereavement leave
- Dedicated Health and Wellbeing champions/Mental Health First Aiders
- Learning and Development opportunities, including paid membership fees
- Health cash plan.
What you need to do now
Please contact Andrew McLarnon to discuss this position in confidence. Alternatively, please apply using the link attached to register your interest.
Head of Intermediate Rent (Maple and May) in Belfast employer: HAYS Specialist Recruitment
Contact Detail:
HAYS Specialist Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Intermediate Rent (Maple and May) in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Get out there and connect with people in the property sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews like a pro! Research the company thoroughly, understand their projects, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Practice common interview questions and have some thoughtful questions ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, highlight your past successes in managing property portfolios and any innovative strategies you've implemented. Numbers speak volumes, so be ready to share specific results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. So, hit that apply button and let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Intermediate Rent (Maple and May) in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Intermediate Rent role. Highlight your experience in property management and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your background aligns with what Maple and May is looking for!
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 your passion for housing and how your skills can help Maple and May grow its portfolio. Remember, we love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Did you manage a portfolio worth over £30m? Did you implement a successful lettings policy? We want to know how you made an impact!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining the team at Maple and May!
How to prepare for a job interview at HAYS Specialist Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Intermediate Rent, you'll be managing significant portfolios and budgets. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've successfully overseen property portfolios in the past. Be specific about the figures you've worked with, as this will show your capability in handling the £60m public loan funding.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a small team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've managed teams effectively, especially in property management or housing. Highlight any successful projects where your leadership made a difference.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the Intermediate Rent model and its implications for the local market. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing a lettings policy and what innovative strategies you might implement to ensure its success. This shows you're not just knowledgeable but also forward-thinking.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong stakeholder management is key for this role. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated and collaborated with various stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you would maintain long-term accountability and reporting to DfC over the 25-year period, as this will demonstrate your commitment to transparency and governance.
