At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic housing service tackling complex challenges and making impactful decisions.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, committed to fair and sustainable housing solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a permanent role with competitive pay and a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Be part of a team dedicated to tackling racial inequality and enhancing community representation.
- Why this job: Shape housing policy and improve lives in one of London's most vibrant boroughs.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing services and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 53755 - 60504 £ per year.
Are you ready to lead a service that sits at the heart of some of the most complex housing challenges facing London today? Do you have the leadership experience and ambition to shape decisions that directly impact residents’ lives and deliver fair, sustainable housing outcomes? If yes, we have a great opportunity for you!
Southwark Council is seeking an experienced and driven housing leader to become our next Housing Applications and Assessment Service Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a critical frontline service, influence strategic direction and ensure residents receive a service that is fair, legally robust and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes.
About the Role:
Working in one of London’s most dynamic and high-profile housing environments, you will lead a complex, high-volume Housing Applications and Assessment Service, with responsibility for housing register applications, homelessness assessments, reviews and tenancy-related matters. You will play a key role in ensuring statutory decisions are delivered to the highest standards, reducing legal risk through evidence-based decision making and embedding a culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement.
Southwark is a borough of ambition, diversity and significant housing complexity. With a strong commitment to prevention, fairness and improving outcomes for residents, this role provides an opportunity to influence service delivery at scale and make a visible difference to communities across the borough. As Service Manager, you will be at the centre of this agenda - shaping policy, driving innovation and using data and insight to improve services, strengthen decision making, and enhance the resident experience. You will work across organisational boundaries, building effective partnerships with internal services, registered providers and external stakeholders to deliver a coordinated and effective response to housing need.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Lead and inspire a complex, high-volume housing applications and assessment service, ensuring residents receive timely, consistent and legally sound decisions.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across multi-disciplinary teams covering assessments, reviews and tenancy relations, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Ensure statutory housing decisions are fair, evidence-based, legally compliant and defensible, reducing risk and maintaining robust processes under housing legislation.
- Drive performance management and quality assurance frameworks, using data and intelligence to identify improvements, manage risk and deliver better outcomes for residents.
- Lead service transformation, policy development and improvement initiatives that support Southwark’s wider housing and homelessness priorities.
- Oversee complex casework, complaints, legal challenges and member enquiries, ensuring responses are clear, timely and focused on achieving positive resident outcomes.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external partners, representing the council confidently and ensuring a joined-up approach to meeting housing need.
- Provide strategic insight and leadership on statutory housing matters, contributing to wider organisational priorities and deputising for senior leaders when required.
What We're Looking For:
We are looking for an accomplished housing leader with significant experience of delivering high-quality services within homelessness, allocations and statutory housing assessments. You will bring:
- A strong understanding of housing legislation, statutory duties and the complexities of delivering legally robust housing decisions.
- Proven experience of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary teams within a challenging frontline environment.
- The confidence and judgement to make complex, high-risk decisions, ensuring outcomes are fair, evidence-based and defensible.
- Strong performance management and service improvement experience, with the ability to use data and insight to drive meaningful change.
- Excellent communication and partnership skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders, elected members, residents and external organisations.
- Experience managing complex casework, complaints and legal challenges while maintaining a strong focus on service quality and resident experience.
- A strategic mindset, with the ability to influence policy, shape future service delivery and contribute to wider housing priorities.
Most importantly, you will be a passionate and resilient leader who understands the impact housing services have on people’s lives and is committed to delivering fair, effective and resident-focused services.
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.
Contact Information:
To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact our dedicating Housing Needs inbox via email at HNASapplications@southwark.gov.uk
Additional Information:
- Working hours: 36 hours per week
- Location: 25 Bournemouth Road, Peckham, London, SE15 4UJ
- Type of contract: Permanent
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
Housing Applications and Assessment Service Manager employer: Southwark Careers
Southwark Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that prioritises the well-being of its employees. As a Housing Applications and Assessment Service Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a vital service that directly impacts residents' lives, while benefiting from a strong commitment to professional development, collaboration, and innovation. Located in one of London's most dynamic boroughs, Southwark offers a unique chance to influence housing policy and make a meaningful difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Applications and Assessment Service Manager
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like Southwark Careers, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like Southwark Careers and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
✨Stay Updated with Government Initiatives
Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Applications and Assessment Service Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Southwark Careers and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Careers
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Southwark Careers, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Southwark Careers.
