At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform housing repairs and maintenance services for a local authority.
- Company: Join a leading local authority with a focus on community and service improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: High-profile role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of housing delivery and ensure quality homes for residents.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing operations and strong leadership skills required.
Panoramic Associates is supporting a leading local authority with the appointment of a strategic and operationally focused Head of Repairs & Maintenance to join their Senior Leadership Team within Housing Services. The successful candidate will play a critical role in driving service transformation, improving operational performance, and ensuring residents have access to safe, sustainable, and high-quality homes.
Working collaboratively with senior leaders, elected members, and operational teams, you will help define priorities, budgets, and service strategies while embedding a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-focused delivery. Leading the Repairs & Maintenance function, you will oversee responsive repairs, voids, planned investment works, compliance, and the operational delivery of a Direct Labour Organisation (DLO). You will ensure services are effectively commissioned, planned, resourced, and delivered in line with agreed quality standards, timescales, and budgets.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership across repairs, maintenance, compliance, investment, and void services
- Leading operational delivery through a high-performing DLO and contractor network
- Driving productivity, performance, quality assurance, and value for money across all housing works functions
- Ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022 and wider regulatory obligations
- Embedding a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous service improvement
- Using operational, cost, and productivity data to inform commissioning and service delivery decisions
- Supporting the organisation in reducing silo working and improving cross-functional collaboration
- Leading workforce planning, logistics, resourcing, and operational performance management
- Working closely with senior stakeholders, customers, and elected members to shape service priorities and outcomes
- Ensuring compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing standards and Decent Homes requirements
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Significant experience leading a large-scale housing repairs, maintenance, or asset management function within local government or social housing
- Strong operational leadership experience across DLO or contractor-led service delivery models
- Excellent understanding of productivity, logistics, workforce planning, and service performance management
- Strong working knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022 and social housing regulatory frameworks
- Experience driving cultural change, service transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives
- CIH Level 5 qualification (or equivalent demonstrable experience and knowledge)
- Excellent stakeholder management and leadership capability across complex operational environments
This is a high-profile leadership opportunity for an experienced housing operations professional to shape the future of housing delivery, compliance, repairs, and investment services across a large and diverse social housing portfolio.
For more information or to discuss the role confidentially, please get in touch.
Next Steps
If the role sounds of interest, I’d be happy to share more details or arrange a quick call. Just reply with your CV or let me know a good time to speak. Even if this role isn’t quite the right fit, I’d still love to hear from you. We have other exciting interim and permanent opportunities in the pipeline, and Panoramic Associates also runs a referral scheme so if you know someone suitable, feel free to share!
Head of Repairs & Maintenance in Southampton employer: Panoramic Associates
Panoramic Associates is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation within the local authority's Housing Services. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company provides opportunities to lead transformative projects that directly impact community welfare, all while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements in the picturesque Hampshire region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Repairs & Maintenance in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the housing sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in repairs and maintenance. Brush up on the Building Safety Act 2022 and be ready to discuss how you can drive service transformation and improve operational performance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams and driving cultural change. They’ll want to see how you can lead their Repairs & Maintenance function.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’ve got loads of exciting roles coming up, so keep an eye out for more opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Repairs & Maintenance in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Repairs & Maintenance role. Highlight your experience in housing repairs, maintenance, and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in service transformation and operational performance.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role is all about leadership, make sure to emphasise your experience in leading teams and driving cultural change. We love seeing how you've improved service delivery and collaboration in past roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Panoramic Associates
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Building Safety Act 2022 and any relevant social housing regulations. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also committed to compliance and safety.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in previous roles, especially in a DLO or contractor-led environment. Highlight specific instances where you drove service transformation or improved operational performance to demonstrate your strategic leadership capabilities.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the local authority's current challenges and priorities in housing services. This will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're ready to contribute to their vision from day one.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach working with senior leaders, elected members, and operational teams. Be ready to discuss your strategies for fostering collaboration and reducing silo working, as this is crucial for the role.
