At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead housing operations and community services, driving customer excellence and transformational change.
- Company: Join Stonewater, a leading social housing provider dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant career growth potential and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of housing services for over 90,000 customers and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in housing operations and a passion for customer service.
- Housing and
- Communities
- Director
- Vacancy
Type: Permanent, Full Time (37.5 hours per week) At Stonewater, our customers are at the heart of everything we do.
We're looking for an exceptional Housing and Communities Director to join our Customer Experience Directorate and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of housing services for over 90,000 customers across 40,000 homes nationally.
This is a high-profile leadership opportunity for an experienced housing professional who is passionate about delivering outstanding customer experiences, building high-performing teams, and driving transformational change across a large and complex organisation.
The Role Reporting to the Group Director of Homes and Communities, you will provide strategic leadership across housing operations, ensuring the delivery of customer-centric, tenure-blind housing management services.
You will lead nationally dispersed operational teams and work collaboratively with fellow Customer Experience Directors to deliver Stonewater's strategic priorities.
You will be responsible for
- Leading housing management, neighbourhood and community services, including tenancy management, anti-social behaviour and customer support services.
- Embedding a culture of customer excellence aligned to our Customer Promise.
- Driving service transformation, performance improvement and operational efficiency.
- Ensuring legal, regulatory and governance compliance while supporting our ambition to achieve and maintain the highest regulatory standards.
- Using customer insight and feedback to shape and improve services.
- Leading and developing high-performing teams that are empowered to deliver exceptional outcomes.
- Managing significant operational budgets and contributing to strategic business planning.
- Representing Stonewater with key stakeholders, partners, regulators and sector bodies.
About You We're seeking a strategic and inspirational leader with significant senior-level experience within housing operations or neighbourhood services.
You will bring
- Extensive leadership experience with a proven track record of developing and motivating high-performing teams.
- Deep expertise in housing management and neighbourhood services.
- Strong experience leading large-scale services within a customer-focused environment.
- A successful track record of business transformation and delivering measurable improvements in customer outcomes.
- Excellent knowledge of the social housing sector and regulatory landscape.
- Strong commercial, financial and risk management skills.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management capabilities.
- The ability to translate strategy into action and drive change across complex organisations.
Appointment to this role will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (if applicable), satisfactory references and possession of a valid Right to Work document.
This role may require specific qualifications, skills, knowledge, and behaviours to meet the Competence and Conduct Standard for Social Housing.
If not already qualified, there may be an expectation to study towards a professional qualification.
Discover
Stonewater: Stonewater is one of the UK’s largest social housing providers, driven by our purpose that everyone has a place to call home.
With around 40,000 homes, we proudly serve more than 93,000 customers, providing safe, affordable homes and the services and support that help people and communities thrive.
Our mission is to make a difference to our customers and communities through quality homes and great services that reflect our social ethos.
Guided by our vision to be the most trusted, inspiring and sustainable provider of affordable homes, we offer homes for rent, shared ownership and purchase, alongside specialist housing and support services, including retirement living, supported housing, domestic abuse refuges, LGBTQ+ safe spaces and young people's foyers.
Everything we do is centred on our customers.
We build trusted relationships, create lasting social value and invest in homes, services and communities that enable people to live independently, realise their potential and thrive.
Through innovation, collaboration and a long-term commitment to sustainability, we are helping shape stronger communities for the future.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and working towards accreditation for becoming a Disability Confident Leader, which allows us to record and report on disability, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace to better support our colleagues.
We have also achieved accreditation for being an Advanced Employer for Investing in Ethnicity Maturity Matrix.
To Apply If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Stonewater, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application
Housing and Communities Director employer: Stonewater
Stonewater is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of both its employees and the vulnerable children they serve. With a strong commitment to professional development, our team enjoys a supportive work culture that fosters collaboration and creativity in a nurturing environment. Working in Southampton, you will have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people affected by domestic abuse while being part of a dedicated and compassionate team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing and Communities Director
✨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 Stonewater, 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 Stonewater 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 and Communities Director
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 Stonewater 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 Stonewater
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Stonewater, 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 Stonewater.
