Service Lead - Homelessness

Park Avenue Recruitment; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority client in Hounslow is looking for an experienced Housing Options Service Manager for a 15-month maternity cover contract. This senior leadership position involves overseeing the full Homelessness and Housing Options function, engaging with a large team, and driving service improvement. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of housing legislation and proven leadership skills. The role offers hybrid working with some on-site presence required.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading housing or homelessness teams.
• Strong understanding of housing legislation.
• Ability to drive service improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
• Confident in leading change.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Homelessness and Housing Options function.
• Oversee Triage, Prevention, Relief, and Allocations.
• Engage with a multi-disciplinary team of around 200 staff.
• Provide visible leadership during periods of change.
• Maintain an on-site presence for key meetings.

Skills

Leading large, multi-disciplinary housing teams

Understanding of homelessness and housing legislation

Driving service improvement

Stakeholder and partnership skills

Confident leadership style

Job description

Overview

One of Park Avenue's long-standing local authority clients on the South Coast is looking for an experienced Housing Options Service Manager to join them on a 15-month maternity cover contract. You’ll be stepping into a senior leadership role equivalent to a Head of Service, leading the full Homelessness and Housing Options function. The remit covers Triage, Prevention, Relief, Rough Sleeping & Complex Singles, Specialist Housing and Allocations, with around 200 staff reporting indirectly through a team of Principal Managers and Seniors. You’ll be part of a supportive leadership team and have the chance to make a visible impact while guiding the service through a period of change and continuity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full Homelessness and Housing Options function as a senior leader equivalent to Head of Service.
• Oversee Triage, Prevention, Relief, Rough Sleeping & Complex Singles, Specialist Housing and Allocations.
• Able to engage with and influence a large, multi-disciplinary team (circa 200 staff indirectly via Principal Managers and Seniors).
• Contribute to a period of change and continuity while providing visible leadership.
• Operate in a hybrid setup with an on-site presence roughly one day per week for visibility and key meetings.

Desirable experience

• Leading large, multi-disciplinary housing or homelessness teams.
• Strong understanding of homelessness and housing legislation.
• Proven ability to drive service improvement and manage change.
• Excellent stakeholder and partnership skills.
• Approachable, confident leadership style.

Interviews will be scheduled for the end of the month. If this sounds like a good fit, send your CV to (url removed).