Divisional Head - Social Housing

Equals One Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Healthcare cash plan

Pension scheme

Personal development programmes

DiS

Job summary

CO Manufacturing seeks a commercially driven Divisional Head for Social Housing to launch and expand a new division. You will own growth strategy, build long-term partnerships, and identify tender opportunities across the UK, reporting to the CEO.

You will lead a team, shape the division, and deliver a market-leading proposition in a growing sector, with hybrid work and travel requirements.

Qualifications

• Senior leader with proven track record in large-scale housing or construction sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to secure and manage social housing tenders.
• Experience delivering revenue growth and business development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic growth plan for the Social Housing division.
• Lead and motivate the team to achieve the growth plan.
• Monitor and implement improvement plans where required.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Social housing tenders

Revenue growth

Commercial planning

Relationship management

Leadership and people development

Full UK driving licence & travel

Job description

Divisional Head – Social Housing

CO Manufacturing

Northern England/North Midlands (Hybrid and travel required)

Competitive Salary + Company Car / Car Allowance

Benefits

25 days Holiday + Bank Hols | Healthcare cash plan | Pension Scheme | Personal development programmes through courses and training | DiS

About us

CO Manufacturing is the manufacturing hub of the £60+ million turn over Conservatory Outlet Group, producing high-quality windows, doors, and new living spaces for a network of leading home improvement retailers, new build sites and trade businesses across the UK. Based in Wakefield, we combine advanced technology with skilled craftsmanship to deliver exceptional products that help homeowners transform their living spaces.

Our success is built on teamwork, innovation, and a commitment to quality at every stage of the process from design and production through to delivery. We’re proud to invest in our people, offering hands‑on training, career development, and the opportunity to grow within a business that values hard work and new ideas.

About the Role

We are embarking on an exciting new chapter. We are looking for an ambitious commercially driven Divisional Head – Social Housing to lead the launch and growth of our Social Housing Division. This is a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up.

You will take ownership of developing and executing the division's growth strategy, identifying and securing new business opportunities while building long‑term partnerships throughout the social housing sector.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll lead every aspect of the division's commercial success, from identifying tender opportunities and developing winning bids to building a talented team capable of delivering exceptional results.

You’ll be empowered to shape the division, make strategic decisions, and create a market‑leading proposition within a growing sector.

Key responsibilities will include:

Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic growth plan for the Social Housing division.
• Lead and motivate the team to achieve the growth plan.
• Monitor and implement improvement plans where required.

Client Management

• Build and develop relationships with housing associations, local authorities, contractors, and procurement frameworks.
• Identify any other new business opportunities and drive expansion.
• Lead the preparation, pricing, and submission of competitive tender proposals.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue social housing tender opportunities across the UK.

Reporting and Forecasting

• Provide accurate forecasts and performance reports to the Board
• Analyse trends and competitor activity to inform commercial decisions
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and procurement opportunities.

Cross‑Department Collaboration

• Work closely with internal departments to ensure successful project delivery

People Management

• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team as the division expands.
• To set and agree individual objectives and KPIs with team members, ensuring they are aligned with business objectives.
• To be responsible for the appropriate departmental staffing levels, working with HR to ensure the recruitment, induction and probationary periods of new staff.
• To be responsible for the training and development of staff, observing and coaching to maintain performance, monitor progress and conduct staff reviews.
• To identify relevant training needs.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback.
• Manage divisional performance, budgets, and profitability targets.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual, regulatory, and health & safety requirements.

Quality

• Promote high standards, take ownership, and support quality and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Monitor service quality, ensure brand consistency, and uphold health and safety standards.
• Work in accordance with the health and safety regulations, ensuring the health and safety of all staff, reporting near misses and RIDDOR.
• To comply with all quality policies and objectives in every aspect of your own work.
• Any other reasonable duty that may be assigned.

Key experience/skills we are looking for

We are seeking a commercially minded leader with the drive, vision and experience to build and grow a successful operation.

Essential

• Proven experience in a senior leadership position.
• Significant experience securing and managing social housing tenders.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering revenue growth and business development success.
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic planning skills.
• Exceptional relationship‑building and stakeholder management abilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication and people development skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Desirable

• Experience working with public sector procurement frameworks.
• Background within the windows, doors, fenestration, construction or building products sectors.
• Understanding of the social housing retrofit, refurbishment or replacement markets.

This is a genuine opportunity to create something special.

You’ll have the autonomy to shape a new division, the support of an established and respected business, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on both the organisation and the communities we serve.

If you're looking for your next leadership challenge and want to play a key role in building a successful Social Housing division from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.