Housing Manager

Waverley Borough Council; Old Woking; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Training & Apprenticeships

Generous annual leave

Employee assistance programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Waverley Borough Council is seeking an exceptional Housing Manager to lead our Housing Service during a transformational period as Surrey councils merge into a new West Surrey unitary authority from April 2027. You will provide strategic and operational leadership across tenancy and neighbourhood management, safeguarding, and service improvement.

With responsibility for around 4,700 homes and 210 senior living properties, you will shape service design, drive performance, and build strong

Qualifications

• Significant experience in housing management within a local authority or social housing environment.
• Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management, anti-social behaviour, and safeguarding.
• A proven track record of leading teams and delivering service improvements.
• Experience of managing performance and driving positive outcomes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and improving residents' lives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop high-quality tenancy and neighbourhood management services.
• Tackle anti-social behaviour through early intervention, partnership working, and robust enforcement where necessary.
• Support tenancy sustainment and promote positive outcomes for residents and communities.
• Safeguard vulnerable residents and ensure appropriate support is provided when needed.
• Ensure strong service performance, regulatory compliance, and effective tenancy management practices.
• Use customer data, insight, and resident feedback to shape services, drive continuous improvement, and deliver better outcomes for residents.
• Build strong partnerships with internal teams and external agencies to create safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

Skills

Housing management experience

Housing law knowledge

Anti-social behaviour management

Safeguarding

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Customer service orientation

Job description

We are looking for an exceptional Housing Manager to lead our Housing Service at an exciting and transformational time. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced housing professional who is passionate about delivering excellent services and shaping the future of housing management during one of the most significant periods of change in local government. As we prepare to transition to a new unitary authority in April 2027, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in influencing service design, driving continuous improvement, and helping to create a modern, high-performing, resident-focused housing service. Leading a service responsible for approximately 4,700 homes, including around 210 senior living properties, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across tenancy and neighbourhood management, tenancy sustainment, anti-social behaviour, tenancy enforcement, safeguarding, and service improvement. About the Role Reporting to the Head of Housing, you will lead a dedicated team delivering a comprehensive housing management service, including:

• Lead and develop high-quality tenancy and neighbourhood management services.
• Tackle anti-social behaviour through early intervention, partnership working, and robust enforcement where necessary.
• Support tenancy sustainment and promote positive outcomes for residents and communities.
• Safeguard vulnerable residents and ensure appropriate support is provided when needed.
• Ensure strong service performance, regulatory compliance, and effective tenancy management practices.
• Use customer data, insight, and resident feedback to shape services, drive continuous improvement, and deliver better outcomes for residents.
• Build strong partnerships with internal teams and external agencies to create safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Repairs, Customer Services, Compliance, Housing Needs, Community Services, the Police, and partner agencies to deliver excellent outcomes for residents and build safer, stronger communities.

Leadership qualities

• Significant experience in housing management within a local authority or social housing environment
• Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management, anti-social behaviour, and safeguarding
• A proven track record of leading teams and delivering service improvements
• Experience of managing performance and driving positive outcomes
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and improving residents' lives

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.

Future of the role

• Shape the future of housing services within a new unitary authority
• Lead a committed and experienced team
• Influence strategic service development
• Drive meaningful improvements for residents and communities
• Be part of a collaborative and ambitious organisation focused on excellence

If you are an ambitious housing leader with the vision, passion, and determination to make a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.

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