At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team managing over 2500 properties and ensure outstanding customer service.
- Company: Join a not-for-profit housing association making a real difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make an impact in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing management and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with great career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 42000 £ per year.
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.
We have an opportunity for an Area Manager within Housing to join our Housing Operations team in the North Region managing over 2500 properties with a Team of 6 Housing Officers. The team provides a housing management function across general needs and homeownership accommodation. The role is responsible for Housing Officers, working across the surrounding region. The Area Manager will be responsible for leading and driving the key functions of the housing team which include:
- Antisocial Behaviour management
- Health & safety
- Compliance
- Tenancy management
The Area Manager will lead in providing outstanding customer service and clear communication to residents and external stakeholders. The role will include:
- Day to day contact with direct reports as required - providing oversight and advice
- Line management tasks, performance/productivity, approvals ensuring we have sufficient service to cover housing management functions
- Reviewing stakeholder communication including MP and Councilor contact
- Assisting in resolving customer concerns and potential risk issues, i.e. repairs and any H&S issues associated
- Liaising with other teams and business areas, Income, Lettings, Case Management Team, Property Services and CSC
- Management and oversight of compliance tasks as well as formal/legal notices received from external agencies
- Contacting customers to resolve concerns and queries, hopefully deflecting complaints with a suitable resolution
- Complaint management
Skills and experiences:
- Institute of Housing qualification or comparable experience is essential
- Proven experience of delivering high quality tenancy services
- Previous experience of managing staff in a similar role
- Working knowledge of relevant regulations and good practice
- Excellent communication and customer care skills
- Basic knowledge of housing management software
- Working knowledge of Microsoft packages including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams
- Travel is a requirement of the role, therefore a full valid driving licence is essential with access to a vehicle insured for business purposes
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.
Our Benefits:
- 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
- Employee discounts
- Wellbeing support and tools
- Employee recognition scheme
- Staff Networks, with a shared interest in inclusion, and who provide invaluable support to colleagues
Role salary is £40,334 (rising to £42,457 after 12 months, subject to satisfactory performance).
Closing Date: 18 February 2026
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 - housing.recruitment@sanctuary.co.uk
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 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.
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.
A basic Disclosure and Barring Service check will be necessary in the event of a successful application which we will pay for.
Area Manager - Housing in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Sanctuary
Contact Detail:
Sanctuary Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Manager - Housing in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Sanctuary through LinkedIn or local events. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common questions for Area Managers in housing. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your communication skills! During interviews, be clear and concise. Remember, you’ll be leading a team and liaising with stakeholders, so let your personality shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Sanctuary.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Manager - Housing in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in housing management and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Area Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of interaction with residents and stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect how you would communicate in the role.
Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities: We’re looking for someone who can handle customer concerns and compliance issues effectively. Share examples in your application that illustrate your ability to resolve conflicts and manage risks in a housing context.
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanctuary
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of housing management and the specific regulations that apply to the role. Familiarise yourself with Sanctuary's mission and values, as well as the key responsibilities of the Area Manager position. This will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Area Manager, you'll be leading a team of Housing Officers. Be ready to discuss your previous management experiences, focusing on how you've motivated teams, handled conflicts, and improved service delivery. Use specific examples to illustrate your leadership style and effectiveness.
✨Customer Service is Key
Since the role involves providing outstanding customer service, prepare to share examples of how you've resolved customer concerns in the past. Highlight your communication skills and your ability to empathise with residents, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so think of insightful questions to ask about the team dynamics, challenges faced in the region, or how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.