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
Salary description
£66683.00 - £66683.00 per year