Principle Compliance Manager

Ocean Edge Executive Search; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Leave and sick pay

Hybrid working

Parking discounts

Gym membership

Cycle scheme

EAP

Career progression

Job summary

Ocean Edge Executive Search is seeking a Principal Manager (Maintenance) to lead housing safety and compliance for a local authority portfolio in Ipswich. The role focuses on strategic leadership, risk management and delivering high-quality, compliant housing services.

You will oversee multiple safety disciplines, drive improvements, and partner with stakeholders to safeguard residents and maintain safe, well-maintained homes.

Qualifications

• Degree in construction/maintenance or related field with 5+ years of technical and managerial experience.
• Senior-level management experience in housing maintenance or utilities is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of building legislation, safety standards and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in budget setting, procurement, contracts and performance reporting.
• Proven ability to lead teams, drive continuous improvement and manage risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead housing safety and compliance across the portfolio, ensuring statutory obligations are met.
• Oversee key safety areas: fire safety, gas safety, electrical safety, damp & mould, LOler lifts, emergency lighting, asbestos, water safety.
• Develop and implement compliance strategies, policies and improvement programmes.
• Manage budgets, resources, contracts and performance to achieve value for money.
• Lead, coach and develop staff and ensure high-quality residents services.
• Collaborate with internal teams, contractors and regulatory bodies to maintain safe homes.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Contract management

Health & safety knowledge

Strategic planning

Education

Construction Management degree

Quantity Surveying degree

Job description

Principal Manager (Maintenance) – Housing Safety & Compliance

Salary: £53,051 – £55,224
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
Sector: Social Housing / Local Government

Lead the way in housing safety and compliance

Are you an experienced housing, maintenance or construction professional looking for a senior leadership opportunity where you can make a real difference?

We are recruiting a Principal Manager (Maintenance) to lead a dedicated safety and compliance team for a local authority.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in ensuring thousands of homes remain safe, compliant and maintained to high standards, while driving continuous improvement and delivering excellent services for residents.

Our client manages a substantial housing portfolio and invests approximately £25 million annually in repairs, maintenance and improvements. As part of the senior management team, you will help shape the future of housing services, champion innovation and ensure residents' safety remains at the heart of everything the organisation does.

The Role

As Principal Manager (Maintenance), you will take strategic and operational responsibility for housing safety and compliance, leading a team responsible for meeting regulatory standards and managing risks across the housing portfolio.

You will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to compliance failures, ensuring effective systems, processes and programmes are in place to protect residents and maintain safe homes.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the housing safety and compliance function, ensuring statutory and regulatory obligations are met.
• Overseeing the nine key areas of housing safety compliance: fire safety, lifts (LOLER), emergency lighting, alarm systems, gas safety, damp and mould, electrical safety, asbestos and water safety.
• Monitoring and managing hazards identified through Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) surveys, ensuring compliance with Awaab's Law and the Decent Homes Standard.
• Developing and implementing effective compliance strategies, policies and improvement programmes.
• Leading, motivating and developing staff to deliver high-performing, customer-focused services.
• Managing budgets, resources, contracts and performance to achieve value for money and operational excellence.
• Identifying and managing risks, driving service improvements and ensuring effective governance and reporting.
• Working collaboratively with internal teams, contractors, professional bodies and external partners to deliver safe, high-quality homes.

About You

We are looking for a confident and experienced senior manager with a strong technical background, excellent leadership skills and a thorough understanding of housing maintenance, construction and statutory compliance.

You will bring:

• A relevant degree, such as Construction Management or Quantity Surveying, together with at least five years' technical and organisational experience in a related field.
• Significant management experience within a comparable organisation, ideally including senior-level local authority service delivery.
• Experience leading and developing teams, managing budgets and overseeing complex operational services.
• Strong knowledge of building and construction legislation, housing safety requirements and relevant regulatory standards.
• Senior-level experience in construction project management, including tendering, estimating, quantity surveying and contract management.
• A sound understanding of health and safety, including Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) and environmental requirements.
• Experience of business planning, change management, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• A customer-focused approach and the ability to develop innovative, practical solutions to service delivery challenges.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and good IT skills.

Desirable qualifications and experience include:

• Membership of a relevant professional body, such as MCIOB or MRICS.
• A management qualification, such as DMS or MBA, or Chartered Management Professional status.
• NEBOSH General Certificate.
• Experience contributing to strategic planning and developing a performance-driven culture.
• Knowledge of management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 18001.

You will be an effective leader who can balance strategic priorities with operational demands, inspire teams and maintain the highest standards of safety and service delivery.

The role will require occasional evening meetings and additional hours during busy periods.

What's on Offer?

Alongside a competitive salary of £53,051 – £55,224, our client offers an attractive benefits package, including:

• Career average pension scheme
• Generous annual leave and sick pay entitlements
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
• Subsidised parking and public transport discounts
• Free swimming and gym membership
• Cycle purchase scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression

Make a Lasting Difference

This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a senior leadership role with real responsibility and influence. You'll have the chance to shape housing safety and compliance services, drive innovation and help ensure residents have safe, well-maintained homes.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.