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- Tasks: Lead the Maple and May subsidiary, managing property portfolios and new housing projects.
- 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 in a growing company.
- 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 an individual who will head up their subsidiary business, Maple and May. You will be an employee of the Maple and May subsidiary and this will include taking the lead on Intermediate Rent. 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.
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
- 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. Please note, the closing date for applications is Friday 13th February 2026.
Head of 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 Maple and May in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the property and housing sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company thoroughly. Understand their projects, values, and challenges. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in leading Maple and May.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Maple and May. Highlight your achievements in managing significant property portfolios and your strategic vision for Intermediate Rent.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of the StudySmarter community. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Maple and May in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Maple and May role. Highlight your experience in property management and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!
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 achievements in managing significant property portfolios and your approach to stakeholder management.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As the Head of Maple and May, you'll be leading a team. Make sure to highlight your leadership experience in your application. We want to know how you've successfully managed teams and driven projects forward in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at HAYS Specialist Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of Intermediate Rent and how it fits into the broader housing landscape in Northern Ireland. Brush up on the latest developments in property management and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the goals of Maple and May.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Maple and May, you’ll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples from your past roles where you successfully managed teams or projects, particularly in property portfolio management. Highlight your ability to inspire and guide a team towards achieving common goals.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Given the importance of stakeholder management in this role, think about how you’ve effectively communicated and collaborated with various stakeholders in previous positions. Be ready to share specific instances where you navigated complex relationships or secured buy-in for new initiatives.
✨Financial Acumen is Key
With significant public loan funding involved, it’s crucial to showcase your financial management skills. Prepare to discuss your experience with budgeting, KPI management, and any relevant financial governance practices. Being able to articulate how you’ve successfully managed large portfolios will set you apart.
