Local Housing Manager in Southampton

Location: Hampshire

Contract: Temporary

Salary: £17.65 per hour

Hours: 28 per week or 2 x 14 hours.

Are you passionate about supporting older people to live independently and enjoy a vibrant community life? We are seeking a dedicated Local Housing Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of a Retirement Living scheme, ensuring residents receive high-quality, person-centred housing and support service. This is a varied, hands-on role at the heart of the scheme. No two days are the same - from tenancy sustainment and building safety to community engagement and resident wellbeing.

Your new role

• Property & Compliance
  • Complete, record and act upon all required health and safety checks and audits.
  • Manage reactive repairs, identify issues and raise works orders.
  • Oversee planned maintenance in partnership with internal departments.
  • Procure and manage local contractors such as cleaners, gardeners and window cleaners.
  • Ensure communal areas and the wider scheme remain safe, accessible and well presented.
  • Manage void properties, ensuring timely turnaround and allocation.
  • Provide short-term 'buddy cover' for neighbouring schemes when required.
  • Manage permission and alteration requests in line with policy.
  • (If leasehold) Support with viewings, sales queries and leaseholder communications.
• Performance & Administration
  • Support the Operations Manager with annual budgeting and review monthly/annual accounts.
  • Manage rent accounts, take proactive arrears prevention actions and support higher-level cases.
  • Manage waiting lists, nominations and void targets.
  • Ensure timely processing of repair orders and contractor invoices.
  • Maintain accurate, GDPR-compliant records across all systems.
  • Contribute to quality assessments such as Housing Quality Standards and Quest.
• Residents, Community & Wellbeing
  • Create a lively, inclusive community through events and activities to reduce social isolation.
  • Promote the use of communal facilities and encourage involvement from local groups.
  • Build strong relationships with residents, families and external agencies.
  • Respond to ASB issues, complaints and concerns in line with policy.
  • Coordinate support services, encourage income maximisation and assist with benefit access.
  • Carry out resident welfare checks and support new residents with settling in.
  • Maintain safeguarding standards and liaise with relevant agencies.

What you'll need to succeed

• Essential

• Experience in the social housing sector, ideally supporting older people.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a busy and varied workload.
• Confident with ICT, spreadsheets, emails and databases.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred services.
• Understanding of GDPR, safeguarding and professional boundaries.

• Knowledge of issues affecting older or vulnerable people (e.g., Dementia, mental health, substance misuse).
• Experience supervising or managing contractors or staff.
• CIH Level 3 or 4 (or willingness to work towards).

Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS (or ability to obtain).
• Ability to access all areas of the building, including stair access.
• Willingness to travel for meetings, training and occasional scheme cover.

What you'll get in return

• A rewarding role making a real impact in residents' lives.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Supportive management and a positive working culture.
• A varied, community-focused role with autonomy and flexibility.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.