At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver high-quality housing and services for older people.
- Company: Join a leading not-for-profit provider committed to social impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, and support for your career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values your contributions.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of older people while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a passion for improving community living.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Due to the mobile nature of this role, candidates must live within a reasonable commuting distance of South London and Surrey. Want to make a positive difference to society whilst accelerating your career in Housing? Looking to grow your career while making a meaningful social impact? Join us in delivering high-quality housing and services for older people. We’re a leading not-for-profit provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care housing, committed to helping people live independently in safe, welcoming communities.
With an ageing population and increasing demand, we are investing in our services and expanding, and we need passionate leaders to help drive this forward. Retirement Living is a unique housing service with residents’ wellbeing at the heart. We have one overarching aim – to provide high quality housing that is welcoming, comfortable, modern, safe and secure and has the right amount of support to help people live independently. Covid-19 has magnified the strengths and benefits of Retirement Living, showing the positive effect of community living in supporting individuals and reducing isolation. We want to be able to offer this service to more older people, and have ambitious plans for growth. We’re committed to significantly investing in Retirement Living to make sure we have the right structure to provide the best service for residents, as well as providing opportunities for internal and external candidates.
To help us achieve our ambitions we are recruiting for an Operations Manager who shares our passion for good quality homes for older people.
The Role
As an Operations Manager, you will lead a team of approximately 10–11 Local Housing Managers, ensuring our services are safe, compliant, and consistently deliver an excellent resident experience. This is a highly visible and impactful role where you will:
- Lead, support and develop front-line housing teams
- Drive high levels of resident satisfaction (currently 91%)
- Ensure schemes meet all legal and safety compliance standards
- Improve performance by minimising voids and supporting tenancy sustainment
- Foster a strong customer-focused culture across your region
- Contribute to organisational performance and continuous improvement
You’ll spend around 60% of your time on-site, building relationships with your teams and residents, with flexibility to work remotely when appropriate.
About You
You don’t need a formal housing qualification—we’re more interested in your leadership style, values, and ability to make things happen. We’re looking for someone who is:
- A confident and proactive leader with strong people management skills
- Comfortable challenging the status quo and driving improvements
- Able to build relationships with people at all levels
- Organised, transparent, and solutions-focused
Experience in housing, care, supported living, or property management environments is highly desirable.
The benefits
At Housing 21 we’re proud to be actively recognising the importance of our employees and rewarding them accordingly. You will receive:
- Occupational Maternity/Paternity Pay
- Blue Light Card (offering discounts across retail, hospitality and leisure)
- Car lease scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Support to progress and develop
As part of our commitment to our employees and offering flexibility, Housing 21 now offer a nine‑day fortnight, providing employees with the opportunity to work their hours across nine days. Further details on how this works, will be discussed with successful candidates upon on offer being made.
If you require more information before applying for this role, please see the attached job profile.
Closing Date for Applications 10 May 2026
Interviews Interviews are scheduled to take place on 19th May. Due to the nature of this role this advert may close earlier than the closing date listed and once sufficient applications have been received. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.
About us
At Housing 21 we pride ourselves on being passionate about people and are committed to investing in those who work for us to help them to be the best they can be. When you work for us, you will be joining an organisation that holds the Investors in People Platinum standard and was rated the UK’s third Best Place to Work in 2024 by Glassdoor. Our people are our foundation, and we know how important it is to support them to do what they do best, whether through flexible working, learning new skills or being part of a friendly and supportive workplace culture. We are incredibly proud of the culture we have created and celebrate the positive difference we make to society. If you think you’re ready for a new challenge and able to make a difference, then come and join us!
Operations Manager- Retirement Living (South London & Surrey) employer: Housing 21
Housing 21 is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact on society while fostering employee growth and satisfaction. With a strong commitment to providing high-quality housing for older people, we offer a supportive work culture that values flexibility, professional development, and employee wellbeing. Our Investors in People Platinum standard and recognition as one of the UK's Best Places to Work highlight our dedication to creating a rewarding environment where passionate leaders can thrive and make a meaningful difference in their communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager- Retirement Living (South London & Surrey)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing and care sectors, especially those who work at Housing 21. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by researching our values and mission. Show us how your leadership style aligns with our commitment to providing high-quality housing for older people. We love candidates who are passionate about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your situational responses! Think of examples from your past where you've led teams or improved services. We want to hear how you’ve made a positive impact in your previous roles.
✨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 us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Housing 21.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager- Retirement Living (South London & Surrey)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for making a positive difference shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission to provide high-quality housing for older people.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience in housing, care, or property management. We’re looking for leaders who can drive improvements, so share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Personable:Remember, we value strong relationships! Use your application to showcase your people management skills and how you’ve built connections with teams and residents in previous roles.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the advert early if we receive enough applications, so get yours in through our website as soon as you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Housing 21
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the core values and mission of the organisation. Familiarise yourself with their approach to Retirement Living and how they support older people. This will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in making a positive impact.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Operations Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to foster a customer-focused culture and drive improvements, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Compliance
Given the importance of safety and compliance in this role, brush up on relevant regulations and standards in housing and care. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you would approach it in this position.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the organisation's future plans for Retirement Living and how they measure resident satisfaction. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values and career aspirations.
