Accommodation Service Manager

Hillingdon Council; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Hours

36 Hour Week

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Hillingdon Sports & Leisure

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Cycle to Work

Local Government Pension Scheme

Vivup Benefits

Mental Health Support and Counselling

Job summary

Hillingdon Council is seeking an experienced Accommodation Service Manager to lead the housing supply function, including Temporary Accommodation and PRS placements. You will drive performance, improve system flow and reduce reliance on TA while delivering MTFS outcomes.

You will oversee Accommodation and Home Finder teams, ensuring safe, compliant, high-quality services and strong landlord relationships. This role demands strong leadership and results-focused delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience leading accommodation, housing, Temporary Accommodation or PRS services.
• Proven track record of improving operational performance and service delivery.
• Experience managing housing supply, demand and financial pressures.
• Knowledge of housing legislation, property standards and compliance.
• Strong leadership, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing high-performing accommodation and housing supply teams.
• Managing Temporary Accommodation and PRS placements across the borough.
• Driving supply, placements and move-on activity across PRS and temporary accommodation.
• Ensuring accommodation is safe, suitable, compliant and resident-focused.
• Maintaining oversight of procurement activity, workflows and provider performance.
• Monitoring property standards, safeguarding and compliance requirements.
• Building effective relationships with landlords, providers and accommodation partners.
• Using performance data and insight to identify issues and drive improvement.
• Supporting MTFS delivery through cost control, increased supply and reduced reliance on temporary accommodation.
• Driving continuous improvement across accommodation services in a high-demand environment.

Skills

Accommodation leadership

Performance management

Stakeholder management

Housing supply & PRS

Cost control & procurement

Job description

About the role

Lead housing supply. Drive performance. Deliver outcomes.

Hillingdon Council is recruiting an exceptional Accommodation Service Manager to lead one of the most critical parts of our homelessness system.

You will take ownership of Temporary Accommodation and Private Rented Sector (PRS) supply, placements and performance, driving improvements in quality, cost and resident outcomes across a high-demand service.

This is a pivotal operational leadership role at the centre of delivery, where you will drive performance, improve system flow and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation, playing a key role in delivering Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) outcomes.

Working within a fast-paced and complex environment, you will bring strong leadership, operational oversight and a clear focus on results to improve services and outcomes for residents.

You will lead the Accommodation service across Home Finder (PRS supply) and Accommodation Teams (placements and management), ensuring strong operational delivery and high-quality outcomes for residents.

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing high-performing accommodation and housing supply teams
• Managing Temporary Accommodation and PRS placements across the borough
• Driving supply, placements and move-on activity across PRS and temporary accommodation
• Ensuring accommodation is safe, suitable, compliant and resident-focused
• Maintaining oversight of procurement activity, workflows and provider performance
• Monitoring property standards, safeguarding and compliance requirements
• Building effective relationships with landlords, providers and accommodation partners
• Using performance data and insight to identify issues and drive improvement
• Supporting MTFS delivery through cost control, increased supply and reduced reliance on temporary accommodation
• Driving continuous improvement across accommodation services in a high-demand environment

This is a fast-paced operational leadership role requiring strong commercial awareness, organisational skills and operational grip.

About You

We are looking for a confident, delivery-focused leader who can manage complexity and deliver results within demanding frontline services.

• Experience leading accommodation, housing, Temporary Accommodation or PRS services
• A strong track record of improving operational performance and service delivery
• Experience managing housing supply, demand and financial pressures
• Knowledge of housing legislation, property standards and compliance
• Strong leadership, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• The ability to drive accountability, performance and continuous improvement

We want leaders who:

• Deliver outcomes and take ownership
• Thrive in fast-paced, high-demand environments
• Build strong relationships with landlords and accommodation providers
• Are focused on improving services and reducing costs

What You Can Expect

• A key operational leadership role with visible impact
• The opportunity to shape accommodation services and housing supply
• A central role in delivering MTFS and transformation priorities
• Strong leadership support and development opportunities
• Flexible and modern working arrangements

Why Hillingdon

Hillingdon is a stable, ambitious council investing in housing services and leadership to meet demand and deliver better outcomes for residents and communities.

About us

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

• Flexible Working Hours - We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week - Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement - increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure - Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work - Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme - access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits - Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services - Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support - Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership - The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees' freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a 'per application' basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• 2 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.