Head of Affordable Housing

Thriving Investments is a socially conscious fund manager focused on the living sector. We invest across a range of housing tenures that deliver market returns to investors alongside meaningful social impact. We currently manage over 5,300 homes representing £1.1bn of assets under management, with ambitious plans to grow to £5bn+ through the launch of new funds and the expansion of existing portfolios. Thriving Investments is supported by a Board of experienced non‑executive directors and by corporate functions including IT, Finance, HR and Facilities through our parent organisation, Places for People.

Location & working pattern

This role can be based from our London or Bath office, working three days per week on site, with the remaining time working from home. Regular site visits (approximately twice per month) will be required across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

More About The Role

This is not a traditional housing management role. We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded Head of Affordable Rented Housing to play a pivotal role in the growth For‑Profit Registered Provider, ReSI Homes, supporting the expansion of our portfolio into social and affordable rent as it scales from delivery into long‑term operation. You will lead the end-to-end operational housing management of Thriving Investments' growing general needs portfolio within ReSI Homes — from mobilisation of new homes and onboarding of third‑party managing agents, through to regulatory compliance, customer experience and performance oversight at scale. With first homes onboarding from September 2026 and significant growth planned thereafter, you will ensure services are compliant, customer‑focused and effectively mobilised from day one. Operating at the intersection of regulation, operations and commercial delivery, you will work closely with senior colleagues, local authorities and managing agents to ensure services meet the Regulator of Social Housing's expectations while remaining sustainable and scalable within an investment‑backed environment. This includes ownership of tenancy management arrangements, nominations, data quality, customer standards and performance reporting as the portfolio grows. You will provide operational input into investment decision making to help shape the growing portfolio. This is a hands‑on, visible role with real accountability, suited to someone confident operating across the full housing management lifecycle and comfortable managing outcomes through partners rather than in‑house teams. It is an opportunity to help shape how general needs housing is delivered within a modern, commercially disciplined Registered Provider.

More About You

Please note: If we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to use the desirable criteria as part of our shortlisting process.

Essential Criteria

• Senior‑level experience leading general needs housing management within a regulated social or affordable rent environment, with accountability for portfolio‑level service delivery.
• Strong working knowledge of regulatory frameworks and consumer standards, with experience supporting governance, regulatory assurance and audit activity rather than frontline case management.
• Proven experience mobilising and scaling housing portfolios or new developments, including readiness, handover, data quality and customer onboarding.
• Demonstrable experience managing and holding third‑party managing agents to account across performance, compliance, reporting and risk.

Desirable criteria

• Experience working within a For‑Profit Registered Provider or investment‑backed housing model.
• Experience overseeing complaints performance and service standards, including working to the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code.

The Benefits

We are an ambitious and growing business, offering challenge, development and long‑term career opportunity. This role could provide the foundation for a wider career as we grow the affordable housing investment platform. Our benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary
• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Car allowance
• Private pension
• Bonus scheme
• Training and development
• Additional perks including retail and leisure discounts

Inclusivity at Thriving Investments

We believe diversity drives innovation and stronger outcomes. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Armed Forces

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Places for People will guarantee an interview for any candidate who is serving or has formerly served in the Armed Forces, as a reservist, armed forces veteran (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructor and military spouse/partner and who meets the essential criteria for the vacancy.

The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for NI) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to do daily activities. Neurodivergent – Neurodiverse individuals have highly valuable skills, and we recognise that a traditional interview process sometimes works against them and doesn’t allow them to self-advocate. Neurodiverse applicants who meet the criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview.