Strategic Housing Consultant: Temporary Accommodation

Baird And Co Recruitment Ltd; Shefford; On-site; GBP 2,214,000 - 3,321,000; Full time

Job summary

Avalon is seeking an experienced Strategic Housing Consultant for a 3-month assignment in Shefford, offering a day rate of £500 and a flexible schedule of 2–3 days per week. The role focuses on strategic reviews of housing pathways, governance structures, and future operating models, aligned with homelessness strategies.

Responsibilities include evaluating budgets, asset utilisation, and service delivery, while engaging with staff and stakeholders to shape a 5-year transformation plan.

Qualifications

• Senior consultancy level experience within local authority housing, social housing, or supported housing sectors.
• Experience in homelessness legislation and statutory funding frameworks.
• Ability to review operational models and design strategic roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a thorough strategic review of Transitional Accommodation and Supported Housing pathways, operations and service delivery models.
• Evaluate financial sustainability, expenditure and value-for-money across service pathways and funding streams.
• Assess property asset utilisation, occupancy levels, void rates, building functionality and redevelopment opportunities.
• Review staffing structures, resource allocation and governance frameworks for complex client needs.
• Engage with frontline staff, residents and stakeholders to assess service effectiveness and tenancy outcomes.
• Scrutinise referral pathways, allocation processes, eligibility criteria and safeguarding frameworks.
• Develop a future operating model and a prioritised 5-year strategic transformation roadmap.

Skills

Strategic housing

Stakeholder engagement

Governance frameworks

Financial analysis

Job description

The Opportunity:

Avalon is currently seeking an experienced Strategic Housing Consultant for a high-profile, 3-month assignment based out of Shefford. Offering a day rate of £500 per day (with flexibility), this assignment is structured around 2 to 3 days per week, providing an excellent flexible working arrangement.

Key Duties:

• Conduct a thorough strategic review of existing Transitional Accommodation and Supported Housing pathways, operations, and service delivery models.


• Evaluate financial sustainability, expenditure, and value for money across service pathways and funding streams.


• Assess property asset utilisation, occupancy levels, void rates, building functionality, and future redevelopment or rationalisation opportunities.


• Review staffing structures, resource allocation, and governance frameworks to ensure alignment with increasingly complex client needs.


• Engage with frontline staff, residents, and key stakeholders to assess service effectiveness, move-on pathways, and tenancy sustainment outcomes.


• Scrutinise referral pathways, allocation processes, eligibility criteria, and safeguarding frameworks.


• Develop a future operating model and produce a prioritised 5-year strategic transformation roadmap aligned with statutory homelessness and rough sleeping strategies.

Requirements:

• Experience: Proven track record operating at a senior consultancy, head of service, or strategic management level within local authority housing, social housing, or supported housing sectors.


• Technical Knowledge: Deep expertise in Temporary Accommodation, Supported Housing pathways, homelessness legislation, and statutory funding frameworks.


• Asset & Financial Acumen: Demonstrable experience evaluating property portfolios, asset utilisation, complex service budgets, and value-for-money metrics.


• Service Transformation: Proven ability to review operational models, design governance structures, and create strategic 5-year implementation roadmaps.


• Stakeholder Engagement: Outstanding analytical, report-writing, and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior officers, Board members, and vulnerable service users.

Equal Opportunities Statement:

Avalon, trading name of Spirehouse Recruitment Limited, is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency. We practise a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all individuals.