Operational Housing Lead

Operational Housing Lead

Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead housing services, drive customer retention, and shape community-focused strategies.
  • Company: Join a mission-driven organisation dedicated to building sustainable communities.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
  • Other info: Opportunity to inspire a high-performing team and drive meaningful change.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in reducing homelessness and improving lives through effective housing management.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in social housing and strong stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

Be the difference. Shape services. Transform communities. At T&D, we’re not just managing homes, we’re building sustainable communities, driving tenancy sustainment, and putting customers at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is clear: reduce homelessness, minimise avoidable turnover, and deliver safe, secure, and affordable homes where people can thrive.

We’re now looking for an ambitious and driven Senior Housing Manager to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping and delivering high-performing, customer-focused housing services. This is a key leadership position, working closely with the Head of Housing and across the wider organisation to drive service excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. You’ll lead from the front, embedding a strong culture of accountability, customer insight, and performance whilst ensuring our services are proactive, resilient, and aligned to the evolving social housing landscape.

A critical part of this role will be taking ownership of our Customer Retention Plan (CRP) - a key, organisation-wide priority. You will lead on its development, delivery, and continuous improvement, ensuring a clear focus on reducing avoidable turnover, strengthening tenancy management, and embedding retention-focused thinking across all service areas.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Lead high-quality, end-to-end housing management services across all customer touchpoints, championing early intervention and customer retention, alongside a firm and decisive approach to tackling tenancy breaches where required.
  • Take strategic ownership of the Customer Retention Plan (CRP), driving delivery across the organisation to reduce avoidable turnover and improve long-term tenancy outcomes.
  • Embed a proactive, data-informed approach to identifying at-risk tenancies, ensuring timely and effective interventions.
  • Drive a culture where enforcement is proportionate and a last resort, with a strong focus on prevention, engagement, and positive outcomes for customers.
  • Provide visible, values-led leadership across Housing Services, working collaboratively with Repairs, Assets, Compliance, Health and Safety Tenancy Sustainment, and Customer Engagement teams.
  • Ensure full compliance with the Consumer Standards, particularly directly the Tenant Standard, proactively leading service improvements in line with regulatory expectations.
  • Use customer insight, feedback, and scrutiny to shape and continuously improve the housing service, ensuring the customer voice is embedded in decision-making.
  • Lead on housing performance management.
  • Build and maintain operational partnerships with Local Authorities, Police, support organisations & other key stakeholders.
  • Lead on policy development and service design, ensuring our approach reflects best practice and sector innovation.
  • Drive effective change and project delivery, ensuring services remain agile, efficient, and fit for the future.
  • Support delivery of voids and lettings performance, minimising rent loss.
  • Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team — creating a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous learning.
  • Ensure strong financial oversight, delivering value for money while maintaining high-quality service delivery.
  • Represent the organisation at a senior level, including in formal settings where required.

What we’re looking for:

  • A strong track record of senior leadership within social housing, with extensive experience across tenancy and housing management in mostly a General Needs environment.
  • In-depth knowledge of housing legislation, regulation, and the evolving consumer regulation framework.
  • Minimum Level 4 CIH.
  • Proven ability to lead a high-performing team, including remote and operational staff, driving both performance and engagement.
  • A confident decision-maker who can act with authority and integrity — balancing customer focus with accountability and risk management.
  • Experience of delivering service transformation, policy development, and measurable service improvements.
  • Experience of leading or contributing to customer retention, tenancy sustainment, or turnover reduction strategies at scale.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and build effective partnerships.
  • A passion for delivering outstanding customer outcomes and creating sustainable communities.

If you’re ready to lead with purpose, own a critical strategic priority, and make a lasting impact in reducing tenancy turnover, we want to hear from you.

Operational Housing Lead employer: Trent & Dove

At T&D, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming communities and enhancing the lives of our customers. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and accountability, while our commitment to employee development ensures that you will have ample opportunities for growth and advancement in your career. Located in a vibrant community, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful impact through our mission of reducing homelessness and promoting sustainable living.
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Contact Detail:

Trent & Dove Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Operational Housing Lead

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the housing sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission to reduce homelessness and improve community services. Tailor your answers to reflect their goals!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you’ve led teams or driven service improvements in the past. Highlight your experience with customer retention strategies and how you’ve made a positive impact in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission. Let’s make a difference together!

We think you need these skills to ace Operational Housing Lead

Leadership Skills
Customer Focus
Housing Management
Tenancy Sustainment
Regulatory Compliance
Data Analysis
Stakeholder Management
Policy Development
Service Transformation
Project Delivery
Financial Oversight
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Change Management
Team Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Operational Housing Lead role. Highlight your leadership experience in social housing and how you've driven customer-focused services.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use concrete examples of how you’ve improved tenancy outcomes or led successful projects. This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not only qualified but also passionate about creating sustainable communities. Share your motivations and what drives you in this field.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Trent & Dove

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of housing legislation and the evolving consumer regulation framework. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you’re ready to lead in this area.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in a social housing context. Highlight your ability to drive performance and engagement, as well as how you’ve tackled challenges head-on while maintaining a customer-focused approach.

✨Emphasise Customer Retention Strategies

Be ready to discuss your experience with customer retention and tenancy sustainment strategies. Share specific examples of how you've reduced turnover and improved long-term tenancy outcomes, as this is a key focus for the role.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Think about how you've built effective partnerships in previous roles. Be prepared to talk about your stakeholder management skills and how you’ve influenced decisions at various levels, as collaboration is crucial in this position.

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