Director of Property

Interim Director of Housing (Confidential Assignment)

Initial 6‑month contract

£800 per day (flexible for the right individual)

Some on‑site presence required

Overview

A highly confidential interim assignment for an experienced senior housing leader to join the Council’s Senior Leadership Team. This role will work closely with elected Members and the Executive Director for Children, Adults and Health (the current Executive Director for Housing) to shape, lead and deliver the Council’s strategic housing ambitions during a period of significant organisational change and service improvement.

The post-holder will provide strategic leadership across all Housing Services, drive transformation, ensure regulatory readiness, and oversee key HRA programmes and financial plans. This role is unaligned to a public brief and will require discretion and sensitivity, given internal changes within the housing service.

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Corporate Contribution

 

Act as a core member of the Council’s Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the development and delivery of the Council’s Corporate Strategy and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

Work with elected Members to shape a clear housing vision aligned with wider corporate priorities.

Lead cross‑council collaboration, aligning resources and services to deliver agreed corporate outcomes.

 

Strategic Housing Oversight

 

Serve as the Council’s principal strategic advisor on Housing, providing expert guidance to Members and senior colleagues on housing policy, service delivery, and statutory duties.

Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic housing policies and programmes, ensuring alignment with long‑term corporate housing ambitions.

 

Operational Accountability

 

Hold overall accountability for the performance of Housing Services, including:

 

Landlord and Tenant Services

Housing Needs, Allocations and Homelessness Prevention

HRA Asset Management, Repairs and Maintenance

Compliance and building safety obligations

 

 

Ensure services operate within budget and deliver high‑quality, customer‑focused outcomes.

 

HRA Leadership & Programme Oversight

 

Oversee all programmes and investment priorities funded through the Housing Revenue Account.

Ensure the HRA is managed sustainably, delivering value for money and supporting long‑term asset and service strategies.

Provide strong financial oversight to ensure the HRA contributes effectively to the MTFP.

 

Service Improvement & Transformation

 

Confidently lead a Housing Improvement Programme, bringing significant sector experience to challenge, innovate, and embed new ways of working.

Lead large‑scale transformation initiatives, improving operating models, strengthening performance frameworks, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.

Leverage best practice, regulatory expectations, and sector knowledge to drive service excellence.

 

Regulation & Inspection Readiness

 

Lead the Council’s preparation for Regulator of Social Housing inspections, ensuring compliance, quality assurance, and robust governance.

Drive improvements to strengthen consumer standards, safety requirements, and assurance processes.

Champion transparent, accountable performance reporting across all housing functions.

 

Leadership & Workforce Development

 

Provide strong, visible leadership to service leads and operational housing managers.

Offer direction, coaching, challenge and support to enable high‑performing, motivated and resilient teams.

Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism and customer focus.

 

 

Key Requirements

 

Extensive senior‑level leadership experience within Housing, ideally at Director or Assistant Director level.

Proven track record of leading service transformation, operational turnaround and improvement.

Strong understanding of HRA management, asset strategies and financial planning.

Deep knowledge of housing regulation, inspection regimes and statutory compliance.

Experience working closely with elected Members and senior stakeholders within a political environment.

Ability to operate confidentially and sensitively during periods of organisational change.

Demonstrable success in delivering value‑for‑money services and culture change.

 

 

Reporting & Decision‑Making

 

Reports to: Executive Director for Children, Adults and Health (currently also covering Housing).

Key Internal Stakeholders:

 

Sally Watkins – Director, Corporate Community & Change

Matt Pope – Executive Director, People

Sally Halliwell – Head of HR

 

 

External Stakeholder Engagement: Regulators, partners, voluntary sector, tenants and communities.