At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to tackle homelessness and implement impactful housing strategies.
- Company: Wychavon District Council, dedicated to making a positive community impact.
- Benefits: Generous salary, excellent pension, training opportunities, and health support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of housing legislation.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 49000 £ per year.
37 hours per week, Permanent
Are you looking for an exciting and varied role leading a team to prevent and tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, and make a real and lasting difference to people’s lives? This is a senior role within the shared Housing Service across Malvern Hills and Wychavon districts and offers the opportunity to work at both a strategic level through the implementation of homelessness strategies, commissioning of services, and leading on corporate projects, but also coordinate the operational work of the Housing Options Team working closely with the Senior Housing Officers who will report into you.
About you
We are looking for someone with strong leadership skills who can organise, motivate and maximise the performance of a busy Housing Options Team with high and complex workloads. You will need to be dynamic, have tenacity and possess excellent problem-solving skills to respond to the needs of an ever-changing service area. You will need to think and act strategically to prepare the service for future change e.g. national housing and homelessness policy/strategy implementation and funding, implementation of local homelessness and rough sleeping strategies, commissioning of services, transformation of services to improve efficiency, and Local Government Reorganisation.
You will also take a leading role in delivering on council plan promises to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping, and increase the amount of good quality, self-contained temporary accommodation. We want someone who champions our Leadership Behaviours Framework by inspiring, communicating, collaborating and empowering self and others, leading by example.
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of our statutory housing function (including budgetary responsibility) which means we want to see an eye for detail and a deep understanding of homelessness and housing legislation to ensure the service is compliant. It is important that the Council’s values are upheld and we want to see that the successful candidate demonstrates openness, innovation, fairness, respect and great customer service at the heart of everything they do.
We are looking for someone who has a keen interest in the national agenda and builds strong relationships both internally and externally. We want to ensure a high-quality Housing Options service that is innovative and takes into consideration best practice from across the UK. The Housing Options Team has expanded over recent years with the implementation of the new legislation and policy requirements, which means an understanding of outcomes and quality assurance is a key part of the role.
The successful candidate must be able to embed robust performance management and quality assurance processes and work with the team to ensure that all service initiatives are delivering the outcomes expected. We look forward to receiving applications from strong, inspirational leaders who can ensure the service is delivered to a high standard and that performance is maximised. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for supporting homeless households and be able to inspire their team to ensure each customer gets the best possible service.
What we can offer
Our staff are at the heart of what we do and are key to ensuring we deliver our We are Wychavon District Council plan to make a positive difference to our communities, our economy and our environment. We are always looking to recruit, develop and retain the very best talent we can find. So, as well as a rewarding career, we offer a range of attractive benefits, such as:
- Excellent pension scheme with employer contributions
- Generous annual leave entitlement with options to purchase additional annual leave
- Committed training programme and development opportunities
- Onsite nursery with 20% staff discount
- Discounted Gym and swim membership
- Health and Wellbeing support and a Free Employee Assistance scheme including access to counselling services
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Employee Discounts with a range of companies including EE and the Kaarp discount scheme
We are an employer that values face to face communication, collaboration and connection, therefore all our roles have an office-based requirement with some agile working as part of the role.
Please note: Wychavon District Council does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.
To discuss the post or for further information, please contact Laura Marshall, Head of Housing Services.
Closing date: Sunday 22 March 2026
Interview date: Tuesday 31 March 2026
Please note: If we experience a high intake of applications, we may close the role and interview for the position sooner than advertised.
Principal Housing Officer (Housing Options) in Hopwood employer: Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils
Contact Detail:
Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Housing Officer (Housing Options) in Hopwood
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in homelessness and housing legislation. Show that you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the challenges and solutions in the field. This will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership pitch! Be ready to discuss how you’ve motivated teams in the past and how you plan to inspire others in this role. Use real examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to tackle homelessness.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Housing Officer (Housing Options) in Hopwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: Make sure to highlight your leadership experience in your application. We want to see how you've motivated teams and tackled challenges in the past, especially in housing or related fields.
Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your previous roles, focus on specific achievements that relate to homelessness prevention and housing options. We love seeing concrete examples of how you've made a difference!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, share instances where you've successfully navigated complex issues. We’re looking for dynamic thinkers who can adapt to changing circumstances and find innovative solutions.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of homelessness legislation and housing policies. Brush up on the latest national strategies and local initiatives, as this will show your commitment to the role and your ability to think strategically.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you've motivated others or tackled complex problems. This is a senior role, so demonstrating your leadership style and how you inspire your team is crucial.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations related to homelessness and housing options. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, as this will highlight your problem-solving abilities.
✨Emphasise Your Customer Service Approach
Since the role involves delivering high-quality service, be prepared to discuss how you prioritise customer needs. Share examples of how you've ensured great service in previous roles, and how you plan to uphold the council's values in your work.