Strategic Lead - Housing Needs, Private Sector Housing

Morgan Hunt UK Limited; Croydon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Croydon is seeking a Strategic Lead for Housing Needs to enhance service delivery and manage transformation projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive senior management experience, a strong track record in service delivery, and excellent communication skills. This role involves collaboration across multiple departments and external stakeholders to reduce homelessness and improve housing services.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior management role within a local authority.
• Demonstrable excellence in delivering customer-oriented services.
• Successful track record of managing multiple complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Homelessness and Housing transformation programme.
• Manage inter-departmental and multi-disciplinary projects.
• Develop strategies that align with national and local policies.

Skills

Team management

Service delivery

Project management

High level communication

Job description

LB Croydon - Strategic Lead - Housing Needs, Private Sector Housing & Partnership

To work jointly with the director of Homelessness Prevention & Accommodation and other heads of service within the division to ensure the development and transformation of services that meet the new budget envelope in the medium‑term financial strategy is delivered. Lead the delivery of the council's Homelessness, Temporary Accommodation and Private Sector Housing transformation programme, with a focus on embedding lessons learned from the creation of a new service. Lead on the management of the transfer of the Private Sector Housing Team into the Housing directorate, review the service and implement required changes. Work with the service leadership team to design and implement a customer‑focused service, driven to prevent homelessness and reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation. Lead the development of a Homelessness Partnership Board to deliver the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. Manage and deliver a portfolio of transformation projects including Supported Housing re‑procurement, Temporary Accommodation Dynamic Purchasing System (Approved Landlord Scheme), Temporary Accommodation usage reduction, Service restructure, Housing Association Nominations Agreement reviews. Lead, manage and co‑ordinate inter‑departmental and multi‑disciplinary transformation workstreams, involving high‑level discussion and collaboration with Adults, Children Services and Public Health. Review the effectiveness and use of the housing management system to improve data quality submissions to government and to support lobbying for funding. Your duties will be as set out in the above role profile but please note that the Council reserves the right to update your role profile, from time to time, to reflect changes in, or to, your job. You will be consulted about any proposed changes.

Key Stakeholder Relationships:

Internal: Members; Chief Officers; Directors; Heads of Service; other teams and senior departmental colleagues across the whole council; trade unions.

External: Local, regional and national government bodies, agencies and NGOs; professional bodies; other local authorities; partner organisations; statutory bodies; members of the public and community groups; national and local press; trade unions; contractors and suppliers; MPs and MEPs; GLA/London Mayor's office courts; legal and other representatives; the Housing and Local Government Ombudsman.

Political Restrictions:

This post is politically restricted and under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the post holder may not have any active political role either in or outside the work. Will only apply to HOS whose duties also involve giving advice to committees, sub‑committees or to the Executive or speak on behalf of the Council to journalists e.g Head of Scrutiny, Head of Communications, deputy monitoring and S151 officers.

Statutory Responsibilities:

This role has no assigned statutory responsibilities.

Other Considerations:

You may, from time to time, be required to work outside of regular office hours including weekends and evenings to attend meetings and community events.

The postholder is required to observe and fulfil the seven principles of public life (also known as the Nolan Principles).

Experience:

• Extensive experience of working in a high‑profile and senior management role within a local authority/complex organisation.
• Demonstrable excellence in team management and service delivery in relation to the provision of customer‑oriented services that achieve successful outcomes.
• Demonstrable track record and successful delivery of multiple and complex projects and programmes.
• A strong track record of achieving significant service outcomes within a demanding, complex and politically sensitive environment and translating organisational vision into solid, measurable achievement.
• Experience of staff management.
• Experience of working in partnership with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders/bodies including statutory bodies and organisations.

Knowledge and Skills:

• An up to date knowledge of relevant national, regional and local policy in order to develop strategies and plans.
• A good knowledge of the legal, policy and financial framework within which housing options and allocation operate.
• High level of communication skills to persuade and engage audiences and form positive relationships at all levels (internally and externally).

• Knowledge of close working with Cabinet Members and senior managers.
• Ability to work in a collaborative way to transform service delivery including the ability to manage internal departmental relationships.
• Evidence of being a strong corporate player who will lead, motivate and inspire their teams and build a high‑performing culture.