Head of Housing Strategy Improvement Data

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Training & apprenticeships

Generous annual leave

Employee assistance programme

LGPS membership

Job summary

Waverley Borough Council is recruiting for Head of Housing Strategy, Improvement and Data to lead strategy, performance and data across Guildford and Waverley Councils. This fixed-term post supports residents, tenants and communities while steering service improvement and regulatory compliance.

The role offers hybrid working, strategic influence and a chance to shape housing policy during a major period of change. Applicants should bring strong leadership and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading housing strategy, performance, improvement or regulatory functions.
• Strong understanding of housing regulation, consumer standards and assurance frameworks.
• Experience using data, performance information and resident insight to drive service improvement.
• Strong leadership, analytical and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.
• A track record of leading organisational change, continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making.

Responsibilities

• Leading housing strategy, improvement and data functions across both councils.
• Providing assurance that housing services meet legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Leading housing performance, business intelligence and resident insight programmes.
• Managing strategic planning, policy development and improvement initiatives.
• Supporting evidence-based decision making through robust analysis and assurance.
• Driving organisational learning and continuous improvement across housing services.

Skills

Housing leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Data-driven improvement

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Change management

Job description

Vacancy Summary

Employer: Waverley Borough Council

Salary: £80,749 - £87,180

Location: Surrey - with hybrid working

Contract: Contract

Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week.

DBS Check: Enhanced

Closing Date: 09/11/2026 at 09:00

Reference: HCE/26/348123

Vacancy Description

External Advert

Head of Housing Strategy, Improvement and Data - Housing Services

Location: Waverley Borough Council (Godalming) & Guildford Borough Council | Full Time | Fixed Term Contract

Joint Pay Scale £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.

About the Role

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 Strategy, Improvement and Data is responsible for providing assurance that Regulator of Social Housing Consumer Standards are met, leading housing strategy and policy development, managing performance and business intelligence, and driving continuous improvement across housing services. The role will ensure strategic decisions are informed by robust evidence, regulatory assurance, resident insight and a strong understanding of emerging housing challenges and opportunities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading housing strategy, improvement and data functions across both councils.
• Providing assurance that housing services meet legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Leading housing performance, business intelligence and resident insight programmes.
• Managing strategic planning, policy development and improvement initiatives.
• Supporting evidence-based decision making through robust analysis and assurance.
• Driving organisational learning and continuous improvement across housing services.

About You

• Extensive experience leading housing strategy, performance, improvement or regulatory functions.
• Strong understanding of housing regulation, consumer standards and assurance frameworks.
• Experience using data, performance information and resident insight to drive service improvement.
• Strong leadership, analytical and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.
• A track record of leading organisational change, continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making.

What We Offer

• 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

Ready to join us?

For more information or to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact Annalisa Howson. [e-mail]

The closing date for application is 9am on the 9th November and we anticipate interviews being held week commencing 16th November 2026.

Equality and Inclusion Statement

The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving or ex-members of the armed forces and their partners. We offer an interview scheme for serving and ex-military forces members when they meet the essential criteria for the role. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

Please note we do not accept applications after the stated closing time.

Right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process.