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- Tasks: Lead and improve specialist housing services for tenants across the Midlands.
- Company: Midland Heart is a leading housing association dedicated to providing quality homes and services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a pivotal role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful community service.
- Why this job: Shape the future of housing while making a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Extensive knowledge of social housing and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on tenant satisfaction and innovative housing solutions.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Midland Heart is a housing association that delivers homes and services across the Midlands. They own and manage over 35,000 homes and are dedicated to providing high-quality, safe and affordable homes, combined with excellent services to over 70,000 tenants.
This is a unique opportunity to join the organisation at a pivotal time, following their recent achievement of a C1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping the future of specialist housing provision across the Midlands, helping tenants to live independently in high-quality homes which are tailored to their needs.
As Director of Specialist Housing, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership and delivery of a broad range of housing services – including leasehold and mutual housing management, specialist accommodation, and key partnerships with third-party managing agents.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Tenancy Services and sitting as a key member of the Directors’ Group, you will drive forward transformation, performance improvement, and regulatory compliance across the service portfolio, always keeping tenant outcomes at the forefront.
Key responsibilities include:- Lead and shape core services including leasehold, mutuals, and third-party managed housing in alignment with Midland Heart’s Corporate Plan.
- Modernise and continuously improve specialist housing functions, improving TSMs and delivering inclusive, tenant-centred services.
- Act as the strategic lead for stakeholder relationships, ensuring effective contract oversight and service accountability.
- Enhance performance across property compliance, lease enforcement, asset standards, and commercial premises.
- Provide values-led leadership to a multidisciplinary team, encouraging high performance, collaboration, and innovation.
- Manage service budgets and deliver services that offer value for money, sustainability, and measurable benefits for tenants.
Midland Heart is looking to appoint a senior leader who has the following attributes:
- Extensive knowledge of social housing practice, landlord responsibilities, and regulatory requirements.
- Proven ability to deliver strategic outcomes within a complex, customer-driven housing environment.
- Strong commercial acumen, with experience overseeing performance, procurement, and contract management.
- A robust approach to risk and compliance, and the ability to drive forward continuous improvement.
- An unwavering focus on resident satisfaction, particularly for vulnerable and older adults.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills across local authorities, third-party providers, and statutory bodies.
- Articulate, clear communicator able to translate complex issues into understandable forms for a range of audiences.
For more information, please contact Tom Neely (tomneely@neemarsearch.com), or Eliot Jeffries (eliotjeffries@neemarsearch.com).
Director of Specialist Housing employer: Midland Heart
Contact Detail:
Midland Heart Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Specialist Housing
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Midland Heart's Corporate Plan and recent achievements, especially the C1 rating. Understanding their strategic goals will help you align your vision for specialist housing with their objectives during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the social housing sector, particularly those involved with Midland Heart or similar organisations. Building relationships can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven performance improvement and compliance in previous roles. Highlighting your experience with tenant satisfaction, especially for vulnerable groups, will demonstrate your alignment with their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in the social housing sector, particularly regarding regulatory changes and tenant needs. This knowledge will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of specialist housing during your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Specialist Housing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Director of Specialist Housing position. Understand the key responsibilities and required attributes, as this will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experience.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV reflects your extensive knowledge of social housing practice and your ability to deliver strategic outcomes. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your commercial acumen and stakeholder engagement skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly articulates your passion for improving tenant outcomes and your vision for specialist housing. Address how your leadership style aligns with Midland Heart's values and how you can contribute to their goals.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon, making it easy for the hiring team to understand your qualifications.
How to prepare for a job interview at Midland Heart
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Midland Heart's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their recent achievements, such as the C1 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing, and be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Leadership Skills
As a candidate for the Director of Specialist Housing, it's crucial to demonstrate your strategic leadership capabilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams, driven transformation, or improved service delivery in a housing context.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Engagement Experience
Given the importance of stakeholder relationships in this role, be ready to discuss your experience in engaging with local authorities, third-party providers, and statutory bodies. Share specific instances where your communication skills have led to successful partnerships or improved outcomes.
✨Prepare for Questions on Compliance and Risk Management
Expect questions related to risk and compliance, as these are key aspects of the role. Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing compliance within a complex housing environment and provide examples of how you've driven continuous improvement in these areas.
