Head of Housing Property Services

Waverley Borough Council; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policies

Training and development opportunities

Generous annual leave and flexi time

Employee assistance programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Waverley Borough Council and Guildford Borough Council are seeking a Head of Housing Property Services to provide strategic leadership across housing repairs, maintenance and related property services for both authorities. The role oversees a substantial budget, contracts and commissioning, with a focus on service improvement and value for money.

The post is a hybrid role with a fixed-term contract through 31 March 2029, offering the opportunity to shape service delivery during a period of

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading housing repairs, maintenance, property services or similar operational services at a senior level.
• Experience managing significant budgets, contracts and commissioning arrangements.
• Knowledge of responsive repairs, voids, damp and mould, Awaab's Law and housing regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Track record of delivering service improvement and organisational change.

Responsibilities

• Leading housing repairs, maintenance and property services across both councils.
• Managing significant budgets, contracts and Housing Revenue Account-funded services.
• Driving resident satisfaction, service improvement and value for money.
• Leading up to six managers and approximately 90 staff.
• Working collaboratively with residents, contractors and partner organisations.
• Supporting long-term service planning and housing investment priorities.

Job description

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to join the newly established Housing Leadership Team and help shape the future of housing services across Guildford and Waverley Councils. We have established five Head of Service roles to strengthen collaboration, improve resident outcomes and provide specialist operational leadership during a period of significant change. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to influence strategic direction, lead significant service transformation and make a lasting difference to the lives of tenants, leaseholders and communities across both authorities. The Head of Housing Property Services is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of housing repairs and maintenance services across Guildford and Waverley Councils. The role provides operational leadership for responsive repairs, voids, damp and mould remediation, aids and adaptations and wider property services, ensuring residents receive responsive, high-quality services and live in safe, well-maintained homes. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading housing repairs, maintenance and property services across both councils.
• Managing significant budgets, contracts and Housing Revenue Account-funded services.
• Driving resident satisfaction, service improvement and value for money.
• Leading up to six managers and approximately 90 staff.
• Working collaboratively with residents, contractors and partner organisations.
• Supporting long-term service planning and housing investment priorities.
• Extensive experience leading housing repairs, maintenance, property services or similar operational services at a senior level.
• Experience managing significant budgets, contracts and commissioning arrangements.
• Knowledge of responsive repairs, voids, damp and mould, Awaab's Law and relevant housing regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A track record of delivering service improvement and organisational change.

Head of Housing Property Services - Housing Services

Waverley Borough Council (The Burys, Godalming) & Guildford Borough Council (Millmead House, Guildford) Hybrid Joint Pay Grade: £80,749 - £87,180 - Fixed Term Contract Until 31st March 2029 Strategic leadership with a community focus Waverley Borough Council is looking for a forward-thinking leader to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our borough and lead a dedicated team in delivering high-quality public services.,

From April 2027, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, following the government's confirmed plans for local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, with West Surrey taking responsibility for the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking. As we move towards this transition, our focus remains firmly on delivering high-quality, value-for-money services and staying true to our shared organisational values of Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trusted, Value for Money and Professionalism. We recognise that any period of organisational change can bring questions, particularly regarding future structures and working arrangements. Throughout this process, we are committed to supporting our colleagues with transparency and care prioritising wellbeing, maintaining a trusted and open dialogue, and ensuring continued access to learning and professional development opportunities. While the exact shape of the new West Surrey Council beyond 2027 is still being developed, joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaboration thrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades. You'll gain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalism and delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities. Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to deliver exceptional services for residents both now and into the future.

In return for your valued leadership and skills, we offer a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Hybrid and agile working policies
• Training and development opportunities including apprenticeships
• Generous annual leave and flexi time
• An employee assistance programme
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

You can find out more about working at Waverley and our benefits by visiting: