Service Manager Accommodation Finding Service, Applications and Allocations Service

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham City Council is seeking a Service Manager for the Accommodation Finding Service to lead a team delivering private rented and alternative housing solutions for households at risk of homelessness. You will build relationships with landlords and housing providers and drive service improvement.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and data‑driven decision making. You will oversee procurement, negotiations, and performance monitoring to ensure outcomes for residents.

Qualifications

• Experience managing housing, homelessness, accommodation or related services.
• Proven experience leading and motivating teams within a performance‑driven environment.
• Strong experience developing partnerships and building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills, particularly with landlords and housing providers.
• Knowledge of private rented sector, homelessness and housing legislation.
• Experience analysing performance data and using insights to improve services.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Experience managing projects, service improvements and change initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of Accommodation Finding Officers and Assistants.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with private landlords, housing providers and partner organisations.
• Procuring properties
• Negotiate incentives and housing solutions that support homelessness prevention and relief duties.
• Monitor service performance, analyse complex data and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop business cases, project plans and service improvement initiatives.
• Present performance information and service updates to a range of stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with homelessness, housing and private rented sector legislation.
• Represent Birmingham City Council at internal and external meetings, acting as a professional lead on accommodation-finding matters.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Project management

Job description

Service Manager Accommodation Finding Service

Permanent

Grade D - £46,579– £55,224

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Equal Pay Programme

Working 36.5 hours per week

About the Role

As Service Manager, you will lead the Accommodation Finding Service, overseeing a team responsible for securing private rented and alternative housing solutions for households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. You will play a key role in expanding the availability of accommodation, building relationships with landlords and housing providers, and ensuring the service delivers excellent outcomes for residents.

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of Accommodation Finding Officers and Assistants.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with private landlords, housing providers and partner organisations.
• Procuring properties
• Negotiate incentives and housing solutions that support homelessness prevention and relief duties.
• Monitor service performance, analyse complex data and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop business cases, project plans and service improvement initiatives.
• Present performance information and service updates to a range of stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with homelessness, housing and private rented sector legislation.
• Represent Birmingham City Council at internal and external meetings, acting as a professional lead on accommodation-finding matters.

About You

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven leader who can inspire teams and deliver results in a fast‑paced housing environment.

• Experience managing housing, homelessness, accommodation or related services.
• Proven experience leading and motivating teams within a performance‑driven environment.
• Strong experience developing partnerships and building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills, particularly when working with landlords and housing providers.
• Knowledge of private rented sector, homelessness and housing legislation.
• Experience analysing performance data and using insights to improve services.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Experience managing projects, service improvements and change initiatives.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, andwe arecommitted to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy | Birmingham City Council here.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Job Description and PersonSpecification