At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a housing team to deliver excellent management services.
- Company: Hundred Houses Society, a charitable housing association with a rich history.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, private health insurance, and a strong focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a collaborative organisation committed to inclusivity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing management and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced housing leader who combines strong technical knowledge with confident, values-led people leadership? This is an opportunity to lead a key customer-facing service, shaping how we deliver housing management services and create meaningful outcomes for our customers.
About us
Hundred Houses Society is a charitable, not-for-profit housing association with a proud history dating back to 1933. We own and manage over 1,500 homes across Greater Cambridgeshire. Our mission is to provide good quality homes and services in Greater Cambridge that people value. Our aim is to provide great value, low-cost homes for the people of Greater Cambridge and continuously strive to deliver better customer service.
About the role
As our Head of Housing, you will be accountable for leading the delivery, performance and continuous improvement of housing management services. This is a key strategic leadership role with accountability for building relationships and working closely with key stakeholders, focusing on a positive and motivating culture within the team while ensuring housing services are legally compliant, cost-effective, value for money and aligned with our values - ensuring our customers are at the heart of our service development.
What you'll be doing
- Lead and inspire our Housing Team
- Shape strategy and ensure regulatory compliance
- Deliver excellent core housing management services
- Put customers at the heart of what we do
- Drive service improvement, assurance and professional standards
About you
We are looking for a confident housing professional with strong leadership, management and people skills. To succeed in this role, you'll need:
- Substantial experience of housing management within a social housing provider, with strong technical knowledge across tenancy management, rent and service charges, leasehold services, allocations, voids, estate management and anti-social behaviour.
- Strong understanding of housing legislation, regulation and professional standards, with the ability to work in a legally compliant, customer-focused and risk-aware way.
- Experience of managing risk, safeguarding, customer wellbeing and tenancy sustainment issues, with the ability to make sound, evidence-based decision making that reflects organisational values and legal responsibilities.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop employees, creating a positive and accountable team culture, supporting the delivery of high-quality services.
- Confidence in using housing systems, data, performance information and numerical insight to manage risk, improve services and support decision-making with a structured and organised approach.
- Experience in coaching employees and excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust and manage complex situations, work collaboratively and handle sensitive, complex situations.
- High levels of personal integrity, accountability and self-motivation, committed to delivering effective outcomes in line with organisational values.
- CIH Level 4 or 5 qualification in housing is an essential requirement and a condition of the role. This post is a relevant senior manager role under the Competence and Conduct Standard (Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023). We are willing to speak to candidates who do not already hold the qualification, provided they are willing and able to achieve it within the regulatory timeframe.
Why join us?
We've held Investors in People Gold accreditation since 2020, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity, wellbeing, learning and professional growth. Joining us means being part of a collaborative organisation focused on continuous improvement and making a real difference.
What we offer you
- 28 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
- Option to buy/sell up to 5 days annual leave
- Private health insurance
- Employee discount scheme
- Defined contributions pension scheme, matched from 4% to 10%
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Life assurance
- Strong focus on learning, development and wellbeing
- Plus, more when you join!
We encourage early applications and may close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications from candidates who meet the essential criteria. Please note that Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role.
Inclusion and Diversity
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, and are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and accessible workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment regardless of protected characteristics, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Head of Housing in Cambridge employer: Hundred Houses
Hundred Houses Society is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With a strong commitment to delivering high-quality housing services in Greater Cambridge, we provide our staff with opportunities for growth, competitive benefits including private health insurance and a generous leave policy, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Housing in Cambridge
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Hundred Houses.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Hundred Houses.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Hundred Houses.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Hundred Houses. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Housing in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Hundred Houses. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Housing, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hundred Houses
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Hundred Houses. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!