At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead housing strategy and transformation to improve services for thousands of residents.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a dynamic local authority shaping London's housing future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, commitment to diversity, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to tackling inequality and enhancing community services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on housing services and community wellbeing in a high-profile role.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in housing strategy and a passion for data-driven improvement.
Why Southwark?
Do you want to shape the future of housing services in one of London's largest and most ambitious local authorities? Can you use your strategic leadership, housing expertise and passion for data-driven improvement to influence outcomes for thousands of residents? Does the opportunity to lead housing strategy, insight, transformation and performance across a complex and high-profile environment excite you? If so, we have the perfect role for you.
Southwark Council is seeking an exceptional Assistant Director of Housing Strategy, Insight and Improvement to join our senior leadership team within Housing Needs and Support. This is a pivotal leadership role that will drive strategic direction, service transformation, performance improvement and evidence-based decision making across our housing services.
Working at the heart of the council's housing agenda, you will play a critical role in delivering our ambitions as set out in the Good Landlord Plan, ensuring residents receive high-quality, responsive and continually improving services.
What You'll Be Doing
As Assistant Director, you will lead multidisciplinary teams responsible for housing strategy, policy, performance, governance, data, insight and service improvement.
You will provide strategic leadership and expert advice to senior officers, elected members and partners, shaping the future of housing services in response to changing legislation, housing demand and resident needs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the development and delivery of Southwark's Housing Strategy, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and related housing policies.
- Driving transformation and continuous improvement programmes across housing services.
- Leading the Housing Data and Insight function, ensuring high-quality performance reporting, analytics and business intelligence.
- Embedding a culture of evidence-based decision making, accountability and outcome-focused service delivery.
- Providing strategic advice on housing demand, market trends, supply challenges, risks and opportunities.
- Ensuring strong governance, compliance, statutory reporting and inspection readiness.
- Building influential partnerships with residents, health partners, registered providers, government bodies, voluntary organisations and wider stakeholders.
- Championing innovation and modern approaches, including the use of emerging technologies, data analytics and digital transformation.
- Leading senior managers and developing high-performing teams that deliver excellent outcomes for residents.
What We're Looking For:
We're looking for an inspirational and politically astute housing leader who combines strategic thinking with a strong track record of delivery.
You will bring:
- Extensive senior leadership experience within housing, strategy, policy, insight or transformation functions.
- In-depth understanding of the housing sector, local government and the regulatory environment.
- Experience leading high-performing strategy, performance, data and insight services within a complex organisation.
- Strong knowledge of housing policy, homelessness, housing needs and service improvement.
- Expertise in data governance, performance management, business intelligence and evidence-led decision making.
- A proven ability to influence senior leaders, elected members and external partners.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with experience producing reports and presenting complex information to varied audiences.
- Experience of leading organisational change, transformation and innovation programmes.
- A commitment to customer-focused service delivery, equality, inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Curiosity about emerging technologies, machine learning and advanced analytics, and how these can support public services.
Additional Information:
- Grade 16
- Full-time, 36 hours per week
- Permanent position
- Basic DBS check required.
- Based within Housing Needs and Support
- Senior leadership role reporting to the Director of Housing Needs and Support
- Responsible for leading 3 direct reports and overseeing approximately 25 indirect staff
- Oversight of staffing budgets of approximately £1.9m and project budgets of approximately £7.5m
- Politically Restricted Post under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989
- Occasional evening and off-site working may be required to meet service needs
Benefits and more information
Recruitment Timeline
Advert go live: 24 August 2026
Advert close date: 11:59pm on 14 September 2026
Shortlisting: TBC
Interviews: TBC
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation that is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is
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Assistant Director- Housing Strategy, Insight and Improvement in London employer: Southwark Council
As a leading organisation in public health, we offer a dynamic and inclusive work environment where your contributions directly impact the health and wellbeing of the Southwark community. With a commitment to professional development, our employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, fostering a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that address health inequalities. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in public health through collaboration and innovation.
