At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of social and affordable housing projects, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Fast-growing developer focused on high-quality, energy-efficient homes.
- Benefits: Competitive executive package, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a strong pipeline of exciting projects.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities by delivering sustainable housing solutions.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in social housing and strong leadership skills required.
Location: Midlands
Salary: Competitive Executive Package + Benefits
Our client is part of the wider group and is a fast-growing developer and contractor delivering high-quality social, affordable and mixed-tenure housing across the UK. With a strong pipeline of new-build schemes, regeneration projects and strategic partnerships, our client is now seeking a proven Operations Director to lead delivery, strengthen operational performance, and support the next phase of growth.
Our client is the dedicated social and affordable housing arm of the group, focused on delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of local authorities, registered providers and communities across the UK. The business has built a strong reputation for regenerating brownfield land, unlocking complex sites and delivering mixed-tenure schemes that blend commercial viability with genuine social value. With the backing of a well-capitalised parent group and a pipeline of multi-site developments, our client combines the agility of a specialist contractor with the governance, capability and ambition of a major developer, positioning it as a key delivery partner in the region’s housing landscape.
The Opportunity
This is a pivotal leadership role for an individual who understands the complexities of social housing delivery, can drive operational excellence, and can build trusted relationships with local authorities, registered providers, funders and supply chain partners. You’ll take full accountability for programme delivery, construction operations, commercial performance, compliance, quality, and customer outcomes across multiple live schemes. Working closely with the Managing Director and Group Board, you’ll shape operational strategy, embed best practice, and ensure the business continues to deliver safe, compliant, sustainable homes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end operational delivery of social and affordable housing schemes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget and to specification.
- Oversee construction, technical, commercial and customer functions, ensuring alignment and accountability across all teams.
- Strengthen operational governance, compliance and risk management in line with building safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with RPs, local authorities, JV partners, consultants and supply chain.
- Drive continuous improvement across programme management, reporting, procurement and supply chain performance.
- Lead, mentor and develop operational teams, creating a high-performance culture with clear expectations and measurable outcomes.
- Support strategic planning, pipeline development and bid activity, ensuring operational input is robust and commercially sound.
- Champion health & safety, sustainability, MMC adoption and customer experience across all schemes.
About You
- Senior operational leader with a strong track record in social/affordable housing, residential development or mixed-tenure delivery.
- Experience operating at Head of Operations / Operations Director / Construction Director level within a developer or contractor.
- Deep understanding of RP frameworks, compliance standards, building safety legislation, and affordable housing delivery models.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance programme, cost, risk and quality.
- Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage multiple schemes simultaneously.
- Collaborative, credible and relationship-led, with the ability to influence at board level and across partner organisations.
- Passionate about delivering high-quality homes and improving outcomes for communities.
For more information, please feel free to forward your up to date CV.
Operations Director – Social & Affordable Housing in Birmingham employer: Smart City Recruiters Ltd
Contact Detail:
Smart City Recruiters Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director – Social & Affordable Housing in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the social and affordable housing sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or industry peers, make sure to highlight your experience in operational delivery and compliance. Share specific examples of how you've driven success in previous roles – this will help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your passion for delivering high-quality homes. This will not only help you answer questions but also show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got a range of opportunities that could be perfect for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, as it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team and contributing to the future of social housing.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director – Social & Affordable Housing in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Operations Director role. Highlight your achievements in social and affordable housing, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about social housing and how your leadership style can drive operational excellence. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable results. Did you deliver projects on time and within budget? Did you improve operational performance? Numbers speak volumes, so make them count!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smart City Recruiters Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of social and affordable housing. Brush up on relevant legislation, compliance standards, and the latest trends in the industry. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex projects. Think about times when you’ve driven operational excellence or improved performance. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that same energy to their organisation.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with local authorities and partners, be prepared to talk about your approach to building and maintaining strong relationships. Share specific instances where your relationship-building skills have led to successful project outcomes.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss your strategies for driving continuous improvement in operations. Whether it’s through innovative procurement methods or enhancing supply chain performance, be ready to share your ideas on how you can contribute to their mission of delivering high-quality homes.