Assistant Director of Housing

About the Council

Rochdale is a borough with ambition, momentum and a strong sense of identity. Located at the heart of Greater Manchester, the borough is undergoing significant transformation, with major regeneration programmes, ambitious growth plans and a clear commitment to improving outcomes for residents and communities.

Housing is central to those ambitions. Rochdale Borough Council is increasingly ambitious about the role it can play in shaping places, delivering high-quality homes and creating thriving communities across the borough. This is not simply about overseeing housing services, it is about helping define Rochdale’s future.

About the Role

This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to lead one of the Council’s most important and evolving agendas. Reporting to the Director of Economy & Place, the Assistant Director of Housing will provide strategic leadership across housing growth, homelessness, temporary accommodation, strategic housing partnerships and wider housing services.

Alongside leading a broad operational portfolio, this role will play a pivotal part in shaping Rochdale’s future approach to housing delivery and place-making. The role therefore requires someone who can balance strategic ambition with operational grip, ensuring services remain resident-focused, financially sustainable and responsive to increasing demand and regulatory expectations.

Working closely with Homes England, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, registered providers, developers and regeneration partners, you will help shape and deliver a pipeline of new housing opportunities and support the council in establishing its long‑term approach to council‑led housing development.

About You

We are looking for an experienced, collaborative and politically aware housing leader who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational understanding and visible leadership. You will bring senior‑level experience across housing, growth, regeneration or development within a complex organisation, alongside a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges currently facing the housing sector.

You will be excited by the opportunity to help shape something new. You should be able to operate within a fast‑moving environment, work confidently across political and organisational boundaries and lead through complexity and change. Experience of housing growth, development or strategic housing delivery will be particularly valuable, as will strong partnership skills, commercial awareness and the ability to inspire high‑performing teams.

To apply

To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum) and a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role. Upload the documents via our website.

Applications must include:

• Full contact details
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting them)
• Details of your notice period
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for interview

Recruitment timeline

• Closing Date: Wednesday 22nd July 2026 (Midnight)
• Longlist Meeting (no candidate involvement): Tuesday 4th August 2026
• Preliminary Interviews (Virtual): A number of dates will be available throughout August and will be confirmed nearer the time.
• Shortlist Meeting (no candidate involvement): Thursday 3rd September 2026
• Final Panel Interviews (in person): w/c 7th September 2026

Rochdale Borough Council are a Disability Confident Employer. If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme, please mention this clearly in bold at the top of your supporting statement. If there are any adjustments that would support you during the application or interview process, please let us know.

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk.