At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic housing management team and enhance lettings services for our community.
- Company: Join Southway, a community-focused housing association in Greater Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent pension scheme, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive organisation committed to equality and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and communication skills with a passion for community service.
Location: Didsbury, Manchester
Salary: £54,711 - £57,590 (Starting salary £54,711)
Full time: 35 hours per week
Fixed term contract: 18 months
About Us
Southway owns over 6,500 homes in Greater Manchester and is a community-focused housing association with a vision to provide excellent customer service and quality homes, where communities thrive. Southway strives for continuous improvement led by customers, communities and colleagues. It is a member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter and is guided by its REACH values of Respect, Equity, Ambition, Compassion and Honesty.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity to join our Housing Management and Support team as a Housing Manager (Lettings Lead) to lead our housing management team including responsibility for lettings across social and affordable rented homes. You'll manage and support a team of Housing Officers and Assistants, helping them deliver a consistent, high-quality service. You'll also play a key role in improving performance, reducing void loss and making sure our service is efficient, compliant and customer focused.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead housing management and lettings services, including voids, allocations, new developments and changes of tenancy
- Oversee all housing and tenancy management activities, ensuring services are delivered in line with policy and good practice
- Make decisions across tenancy management processes, including tenancy sustainment, breaches and terminations
- Manage team performance across housing management and lettings, improving outcomes and addressing underperformance
- Monitor performance data, including void turnaround, rent loss and tenancy outcomes
- Ensure services are efficient, compliant and deliver value for money
- Work with colleagues and partners to provide joined-up support for customers and communities
- Manage budgets, compliance and risk within the service
About you
We're looking for someone with strong leadership and communication skills, able to work confidently with customers, colleagues and partners. You will be calm under pressure, able to make sound decisions and handle complex or sensitive situations. You'll be an effective people leader, able to support and motivate a team, manage performance and drive improvement. You'll take a collaborative approach and be committed to delivering high-quality services and positive outcomes for customers and communities.
In return, we offer a 35-hour working week, a competitive salary, an excellent contributory pension scheme, and 25 days' annual leave, increasing to 30 days over time. You will be part of a supportive, values-led organisation that is committed to helping its customers and colleagues thrive.
Closing Date: Wednesday 1 July 2026
Interview Date: Friday 10 July 2026
For an informal discussion please contact Claire Davies.
Applications are being reviewed as they are received, and interviews will be arranged for successful candidates in date order. The Trust reserves the right to remove the job advert once vacant positions have been recruited, please do not wait until the closing date to apply.
Strictly no agencies.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from suitably skilled people from all sectors of the community. All applicants who have a disability or are ex armed forces that meet the minimum essential criteria for the post will be invited to interview. If you have a disability or are ex armed forces, please tell us about this on your application form and please let us know about any special arrangements you would like us to make if you are invited in for an interview.
Housing Manager employer: Southway Housing Trust
Southway is an exceptional employer located in Didsbury, Manchester, dedicated to fostering a supportive and values-driven work environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and a contributory pension scheme, all while prioritising community engagement and customer service excellence. Join us to be part of a team that values respect, equity, ambition, compassion, and honesty, ensuring that both our employees and the communities we serve thrive together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Manager
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Southway Housing Trust.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Southway Housing Trust? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Southway Housing Trust's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Housing Manager role at Southway Housing Trust, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southway Housing Trust
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Southway Housing Trust operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Southway Housing Trust. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Southway Housing Trust.
