At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead housing management services and provide expert guidance during a leadership transition.
- Company: Established London Housing Association with a focus on stability and performance.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working days, and opportunity for impactful leadership.
- Other info: Role offers excellent visibility and collaboration with senior leadership.
- Why this job: Make a difference in housing services while guiding a talented team through change.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in housing management and strong knowledge of housing law.
James Stevens Associates is working exclusively with a well-established London Housing Association to appoint an Interim Head of Housing during an important senior leadership transition.
This is a senior housing management appointment responsible for providing stability, technical expertise and visible leadership while the organisation’s SLT goes through a transitional period.
- Interim Head of Housing
- London
- £400-£500 per day (umbrella, inside IR35)
- Initial six month contract
- Four or five days per week
- The appointment is expected to start as soon as possible, allowing time for a structured handover with the current Head of Housing (start within next 2-3 weeks)
This is primarily a business-as-usual leadership role.
The successful candidate will inherit a well-performing team and maintain the progress already being made across housing services, particularly income collection and void performance.
The role
Reporting initially to the Chief Executive, you will lead the full housing management service, including:
- Tenancy and estate management
- Income collection and income maximisation
- Allocations, lettings and void performance
- Anti-social behaviour and complex tenancy casework
- Welfare, safeguarding and tenancy sustainment
- Resident engagement and tenant scrutiny
- Customer satisfaction and complaints learning
- Estate services contract oversight
- Rent, service charge and budget management
You will directly manage two Housing Services Managers and a Welfare and Safeguarding Officer, while providing senior leadership across the wider organisation.
A particularly important element of the assignment will be providing authoritative housing law and complex casework guidance.
You will be expected to operate independently, advise colleagues confidently and resolve matters that require experience beyond routine housing management.
About you
We are looking for an experienced Head of Housing, Head of Housing Management, Head of Neighbourhoods or senior housing leader who can demonstrate:
- Strong technical knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and complex casework
- Senior operational leadership within a housing association or comparable landlord
- Experience leading housing management, income, ASB, safeguarding and resident-facing services
- The ability to maintain performance while supporting and developing an established team
- Confidence reporting to a Chief Executive and presenting at board or committee level
- A collaborative approach that looks beyond individual service boundaries
- The organisation and self-sufficiency to operate without close day-to-day direction
The role can be delivered across four or five days per week. Approximately half of the working week will involve office or estate-based presence in London.
Tuesday attendance will ordinarily be required due to senior and operational meetings.
The postholder will also attend quarterly evening committee meetings and occasional resident meetings
Interim Head of Housing employer: James Stevens Associates
Join a forward-thinking Social Housing organisation in North London as a Property Disposals and Sales Manager, where you will enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes autonomy and flexibility. With a focus on impactful work, you'll have the chance to drive significant revenue-generating activities while engaging directly with tenants and stakeholders. This role not only offers competitive day rates but also the potential for long-term career growth within a dynamic and supportive environment dedicated to making a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Housing
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like James Stevens Associates, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Interim Head of Housing at James Stevens Associates.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Housing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at James Stevens Associates
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
