At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Sanctuary's new Independent Living service, ensuring high-quality housing support.
- Company: Sanctuary is a not-for-profit housing association managing 125,000 homes across England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25-30 days annual leave, pension contributions, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Full UK driving licence needed for company vehicle use; early applications encouraged.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while fostering an inclusive and supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership, project management, and a relevant degree or housing certification required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
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Operation: Sanctuary Independent Living Service
Closing Date: 28/08/2025
Salary: £98,004 / year
Requisition: 225665
Sanctuary manages rented and shared ownership homes and supports community initiatives for thousands of customers across England. Our staff help make a real difference to the quality of people’s lives.
Director - Independent Living
Flexible base location with a balance of home and office working
£98,004 per year plus car allowance of £9,800
35 hours per week
We have an exciting and newly created opportunity for a Director – Independent Living to manage andprovide strategic leadershipto Sanctuary\'s new Independent Living service, working closely alongside leaders in our regions. This role sits within our Housing England team, which manages homes across England, providing general rented housing, housing for older people, market rent properties, shared ownership and home ownership accommodation.
Reporting to the Director of Housing and Customer Services you will provide strategic direction and operational leadership to support the ongoing development and effective delivery of the Group’s Independent Living Housing services while bringing effective and inspirational leadership coupled with a quality-driven ethos. You will sit in the Affordable Housing Senior Management Team (SMT), with decision making ability into the national housing service.
The role of Director - Independent Living will include:
- Providing strategic advice, tactical support and co-ordination to Group Directors, Director of Housing and Customer Services and Senior Managers in relation to the Group’s Business and Strategic Plans for Independent Living
- Leading and delivering on a range of strategic projects
- Managing the development of local budgets and maintaining effective control to ensure compliance with all financial policies
- Ensuring the delivery of high quality and value for money housing services throughout England, including London to meet the needs of customers
- Providing effective leadership of all housing functions in the region(s) by promoting an effective organisational culture, safe working and performance focused environment
Skills and experiences:
- Previous experience of leading a team located across several locations, with the customer at the heart of the business
- Proven experience of implementing regional strategies for a similar type of organisation
- Certificated Member of the Institute of Housing or similar coupled with a relevant degree is pivotal for success in this role
- A knowledge and understanding of the political landscape of regions
- Comprehensive experience of managing projects with strong project management skills
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
- This role will involve driving on company business. In order to drive a company vehicle, drivers must hold a full valid UK driving licence
Why work for us?
We are a not-for-profit housing association, and own and manage around 125,000 homes. We foster a diverse and inclusive culture, and nurture and reward talent. Our customers are at the heart of all we do, and colleagues help make a real difference to people’s lives.
As part of our commitment to making Sanctuary a great place to work, where your wellbeing is of genuine importance, we have developed an attractive employment package. The package recognises your contribution, supports your physical, mental and financial health and gives you the flexibility to tailor your employee benefits by offering:
- 25 days annual leave (rising to a maximum of 30 days) plus public holidays
- A pension scheme with employer contributions from Sanctuary
- Life Assurance
- Employee Advice Service including counselling
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Voluntary health plans
- Wellbeing support and tools
- Employee Networks, with a shared interest in inclusion, and who provide invaluable support to colleagues
- Role salary is £95,325 with an additional policy allowance of £2,678 per annum
If you\'re unsure about any details, have questions about the role or want to discuss a need for adjustments, our fantastic talent team will be happy to help you –
We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.
Inclusion is one of our core values. Our goal is to be a diverse, inclusive organisation where our people thrive and meet our customers’ needs with fairness and empathy. We know having a range of ideas and opinions makes a difference. We encourage and welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds to support this mission. We will make adjustments throughout your application process, in line with Sanctuary’s commitment to our Disability Confident employer status.
Building Equality and Diversity
Sanctuary Group encourages and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds to support our commitment to offering an inclusive environment for our employees and customers.
We work closely with the Home Office in order to prevent illegal working.
Sanctuary Housing Services Limited is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity.
Director - Independent Living in Cheadle Hulme employer: Sanctuary Group
Sanctuary is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where employees are valued and supported. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and various health and wellbeing initiatives. As a not-for-profit housing association, we provide meaningful opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of our customers across England.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Independent Living in Cheadle Hulme
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the housing sector, especially those involved in independent living services. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and leaders who can provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Sanctuary's mission and values, particularly their commitment to diversity and inclusion. This understanding will help you align your leadership style with their organisational culture during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing teams across multiple locations. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully implemented regional strategies that improved service delivery and customer satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in the housing sector, particularly regarding independent living. Being knowledgeable about the political landscape and recent developments will demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Independent Living in Cheadle Hulme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in leadership and strategic management, particularly in housing services. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and implement regional strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for independent living services and how your background aligns with the role. Mention your understanding of the political landscape and how it relates to the organisation's goals.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Clearly state your qualifications, such as being a Certificated Member of the Institute of Housing or holding a relevant degree. This will show that you meet the essential criteria for the position.
Showcase Leadership Skills:Provide examples of your previous leadership roles, especially those involving multi-location teams. Emphasise your interpersonal skills and customer service experience, as these are crucial for the Director role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanctuary Group
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description and the key responsibilities of the Director - Independent Living role. Familiarise yourself with Sanctuary's mission and values, as well as their approach to independent living services.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles, especially those involving teams across multiple locations. Highlight specific examples where you successfully implemented strategies that improved service delivery or customer satisfaction.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since the role involves managing local budgets and ensuring compliance with financial policies, be ready to discuss your experience with budget management. Provide examples of how you've maintained financial control while delivering high-quality services.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Sanctuary values diversity and inclusion, so be prepared to talk about how you've fostered an inclusive culture in your previous roles. Share any initiatives you've led or participated in that support diverse teams and customer needs.
