Head of Housing Operations

Description

Location: Lewes, with travel across Sussex area Hours: 37 hours per week

Lead Housing Services That Change Lives

At Southdown, we believe everyone should have a safe home, strong support, and the opportunity to live well. As one of the South East's leading housing, care and support providers, we're looking for an exceptional leader to join us as our new Head of Housing Operations.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role with responsibility for housing management and property services across our organisation. You'll lead high-performing teams, shape service delivery, drive continuous improvement, and ensure hundreds of residents receive excellent services that are safe, compliant and customer focused.

The Opportunity

As a member of the Chief Operating Officer Leadership Team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across housing management and property services, translating organisational priorities into excellent services and measurable outcomes.

You'll oversee:

Housing management services

Repairs and maintenance

Property compliance and safety

Tenancy sustainment

Rent collection

Allocations and lettings

Void management

Service performance and customer experience

Operational budgets of approximately £4.5 million

This is an exciting opportunity to lead change, champion innovation, and help shape the future of housing services at Southdown.

What You'll DoProvide operational leadership and translate strategic objectives into operational priorities and deliver measurable improvements.

Lead and develop Housing Services and Property Services managers, creating a high-performing and accountable leadership team

Use performance data and customer feedback to drive decision-making and continuous improvement

Drive a culture of customer focus, continuous improvement and innovation

Contribute to organisational leadership as a member of the wider senior leadership team

Deliver outstanding services to our tenants, shared owners and operational teams

Manage significant operational budgets and reinvestment programmes

Ensure effective, efficient and resident-focused housing and property services

Improve tenant satisfaction through insight, engagement and excellence in service delivery

Lead operational change programmes and technology-enabled service improvements

Ensure property safety and compliance and ongoing assurance

Maintain robust governance, assurance and risk management arrangements

Ensure compliance with housing regulation, consumer standards, health and safety requirements and organisational policies

Provide confidence to C-Suite leaders and board members through effective reporting and performance management

Manage resources effectively

Deliver value for money while maintaining high-quality services

Build productive relationships with contractors, local authorities, commissioners and partner organisations

About You

You will be an experienced housing leader who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence

You will have experience in leading operational functions within a registered provider of social housing – be that within Housing Services, repairs and maintenance or asset management We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We particularly encourage applications from people from minority ethnic backgrounds, who are currently underrepresented within our leadership.  All appointments are made on merit through a fair and transparent recruitment process.

Perks and benefits:

Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover

Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car

Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets

Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors

Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service

27 days paid holiday (increasing to 32 days after 5 years service) plus bank holidays You will also benefit from:

Annual salary progression across a three‑point scale

Hybrid and flexible working

Ongoing training and development opportunities: Our award-winning in-house training team will help you to gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex

Key Responsibilities

What you’ll need for the role:

Experience

Significant senior management experience within social housing, housing management, property services or a related customer-focused environment

A proven track record of leading managers and delivering high-performing services

Experience using data and insight to improve outcomes and customer experience

Experience leading change, transformation and digital innovation

Strong financial management and budgetary experience

Leadership & Personal Attributes:

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

The ability to inspire, develop and motivate teams while maintaining clear accountability

Knowledge: Strong knowledge of housing regulation, compliance and service performance.

Qualifications

Level 5 qualification in Housing (CIH or equivalent) or willingness to work towards and achieve this

A Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown

A full driving licence is desirable along with access to your own vehicle or a vehicle insured for you

Why Southdown?

At Southdown, our values of being Compassionate, United, Trustworthy, Responsive, and a Force for Good underpin everything we do. You’ll join a supportive organisation where your work has tangible, life‑changing impact. At Southdown, our values shape everything we do.

We are:

A Force for Good - passionate about making a difference

Brilliant with People - welcoming, compassionate and inclusive

United - achieving more together

Trustworthy - knowledgeable and acting with integrity

Responsive - listening, learning and adapting We offer the opportunity to:

Influence services that make a real difference to people's lives

Lead experienced and committed teams

Shape the future direction of housing services

Work within a progressive, values-led organisation

Drive innovation and service improvement at scale Join UsIf you're an inspirational housing leader with the ambition to deliver outstanding services, improve resident outcomes and lead through change, we'd love to hear from you.

Be part of Southdown's next chapter. Lead services that matter. Deliver homes and outcomes that transform lives.

How to apply:Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form.

Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible