Interim Head of Housing Services & Needs

Consult; England; Remote; GBP 125,000 - 145,000; Part time

Job summary

Consult in Sussex is seeking an Interim Housing Service Manager to provide senior leadership across Housing Services during a temporary management arrangement. The role focuses on homelessness prevention, housing needs, allocations, and housing policy with regional representation.

The position requires extensive senior housing leadership experience, strong knowledge of legislation, and a track record of service improvement. 4 days per week, £650 per day inside IR35, until Sept 2027.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within local authority housing.
• Extensive knowledge of homelessness, housing needs and allocations legislation.
• Strong experience of service improvement and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Housing Services, acting as the Council's principal adviser on homelessness, housing needs, allocations and housing policy.
• Lead the delivery of homelessness prevention, housing advice, temporary accommodation, rough sleeping initiatives, resettlement programmes and housing register services.
• Ensure the Council meets its statutory obligations under housing and homelessness legislation, with legally compliant and robust decision-making.
• Oversee complex homelessness cases, safeguarding matters and high-risk housing situations.
• Lead and develop Housing Needs and Housing Solutions teams, driving performance, customer service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Monitor service performance, statutory targets and customer outcomes, implementing improvements where required.
• Support affordable housing delivery, housing growth initiatives and programmes that increase housing supply and reduce homelessness pressures.
• Build strong relationships with Registered Providers, developers, local authorities and key strategic partners.
• Manage service budgets, contracts, commissioning activity and performance reporting, ensuring value for money and strong governance.
• Prepare and present reports to Members, Committees, Corporate Leadership Teams and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, equality, complaints and wider regulatory requirements.
• Represent the Council at regional housing forums, partnership boards and multi-agency meetings.

Skills

Senior leadership

Homelessness knowledge

Housing policy

Performance management

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Consult in Sussex is seeking an Interim Housing Service Manager to provide senior leadership across Housing Services during a temporary management arrangement. The role focuses on homelessness prevention, housing needs, allocations, and housing policy with regional representation.

The position requires extensive senior housing leadership experience, strong knowledge of legislation, and a track record of service improvement. 4 days per week, £650 per day inside IR35, until Sept 2027.