Head of Housing

Tandridge District Council is seeking an exceptional senior housing leader to take strategic responsibility for all Housing Services (excluding Housing Benefit), lead a whole-service transformation to meet the Social Housing Regulator’s Consumer Standards, and drive a clear improvement journey from a C4 position to C1 excellence, while securing the long-term sustainability and delivery of our Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan.

We are looking for someone who can provide clear professional leadership across all legislative and regulatory aspects of our housing functions, including council landlord services, housing needs and homelessness, private sector housing, allocations and lettings, and resident engagement, while reshaping services, assurance and culture around the requirements of the Consumer Standards. This is a pivotal role for the organisation, the district and the wider future of local government in the area. You will help shape the future of housing in Tandridge—restoring confidence, improving housing quality, strengthening resident trust, and leading a major improvement journey that positions the service to move confidently as the only stock-holding authority within the emerging East Surrey unitary.

The Role: As Head of Housing, you will be the Council’s lead housing professional, responsible for the strategic direction, performance recovery and transformation of all Housing Services, with a particular focus on delivering sustained compliance with the Consumer Standards, embedding a culture of assurance and accountability, and leading the service through the transition into the East Surrey unitary as its only stock-holding authority.

• Lead delivery of high‑quality, safe and resident‑focused housing services across landlord functions, homelessness prevention, allocations, lettings and private sector housing.
• Ensure the long‑term sustainability of the HRA, providing strong financial leadership and effective investment planning.
• Drive the Housing Transformation Programme, leading a whole-service improvement journey from C4 to C1 through redesigned services, stronger governance, modernised systems, cultural change and an unrelenting focus on resident outcomes.
• Lead the Council’s compliance with the Social Housing Regulator’s Consumer Standards, building and maintaining robust assurance, transparent performance management, effective self‑assessment and continuous inspection readiness, while driving measurable improvement across all landlord services.
• Provide expert advice to Members and senior leaders, shaping housing strategy and policy in response to local need, affordability pressures and supply challenges.
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and high performance across all housing teams, ensuring that lessons are translated into action, performance gaps are closed at pace, and resident voice is embedded in service design and delivery.
• Build strong partnerships across public, private and voluntary sectors to address housing need and support vulnerable residents.
• Champion a resident‑first approach, ensuring services are accessible, inclusive and shaped through meaningful engagement.
• Provide strategic leadership for housing through local government reorganisation, shaping and leading the transition of Tandridge’s landlord service into the East Surrey unitary and ensuring the interests, resilience and future operating model of the area’s only stock-holding authority are fully understood and protected.
• Contribute to corporate leadership as part of the Extended Management Team, supporting a “one council” approach and strong organisational governance.

Who we’re looking for: We are looking for a highly credible, collaborative and forward‑thinking housing leader who brings:

• Significant senior leadership experience in housing services within a local authority or similar organisation.
• A strong track record of delivering high‑quality landlord services, housing needs and homelessness functions.
• Demonstrable experience of leading transformation and service redesign, with a strong track record of delivering measurable improvement in performance, compliance, governance and resident outcomes, ideally including recovery from a low regulatory baseline.
• Strong experience of delivering against the Social Housing Regulator’s Consumer Standards, including building assurance frameworks, leading recovery and improvement activity, driving performance from C4 toward C1, and preparing services for inspection.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing HRA budgets and complex financial frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to influence, motivate and inspire teams and partners.
• Political awareness and experience advising Members and senior leaders.
• The strategic capability to lead a stock‑holding landlord service through significant organisational change, ideally including local government reorganisation or large‑scale structural transition.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to fostering a collaborative, high‑performing culture.
• Degree‑level education or equivalent experience, with evidence of continuous professional development.

What we offer: When you join us your expertise, skills and experience will be valued, and your career development will be our priority. We are committed to creating a collaborative and innovative environment which empowers you to thrive. You will be part of a friendly, supportive One Team culture with the chance to make a real difference. We use Viva Engage to keep you connected and engaged and we hold regular face to face meetings, such as Chief Executive briefings to keep you in the loop. We are conveniently located close to Oxted Station and have some on‑site parking. In addition to the stated pay, we offer membership and contributions towards the Local Government Pension Scheme, flexible working (giving you the opportunity to work from home for up to three days a week), flexi‑time, payment of a relevant professional subscription and access to a discounted health scheme.

Diversity statement: At Tandridge District Council, we pride ourselves on maintaining an inclusive workplace, ensuring equality, fairness, and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do and good practice is embedded in the Council’s culture and services. We welcome applications from all sectors of our community, including BAME, LGBTQ+ and all groups protected under the Equality Act. Tandridge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.