Interim Head of Service and Housing Needs

We are working with a local authority in Sussex that is seeking an experienced and highly capable Interim Housing Service Manager to provide senior leadership across Housing Services during a temporary management arrangement.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced housing professional to lead housing needs, homelessness prevention, housing allocations, housing solutions, rough sleeping initiatives and housing development activity within a high-performing district council.

You will work directly with the Director of Resources, providing strategic and operational leadership across a broad housing portfolio while ensuring delivery of statutory housing duties and maintaining excellent outcomes for residents. The majority of the work will require independent action, initiative and problem solving.

Contract: Until September 2027

Rate: £650 per day inside IR35

4 days per week

Location: Sussex

Key duties:

• Provide strategic leadership across Housing Services, acting as the Council's principal adviser on homelessness, housing needs, allocations and housing policy
• Lead the delivery of homelessness prevention, housing advice, temporary accommodation, rough sleeping initiatives, resettlement programmes and housing register services
• Ensure the Council meets its statutory obligations under housing and homelessness legislation, with legally compliant and robust decision-making
• Oversee complex homelessness cases, safeguarding matters and high-risk housing situations
• Lead and develop Housing Needs and Housing Solutions teams, driving performance, customer service excellence and continuous improvement
• Monitor service performance, statutory targets and customer outcomes, implementing improvements where required
• Support affordable housing delivery, housing growth initiatives and programmes that increase housing supply and reduce homelessness pressures
• Build strong relationships with Registered Providers, developers, local authorities and key strategic partners
• Manage service budgets, contracts, commissioning activity and performance reporting, ensuring value for money and strong governance
• Prepare and present reports to Members, Committees, Corporate Leadership Teams and external stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, equality, complaints and wider regulatory requirements
• Represent the Council at regional housing forums, partnership boards and multi-agency meetings

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant senior leadership experience within local authority housing
• Extensive knowledge of homelessness, housing needs and allocations legislation
• Strong experience of service improvement and performance management

This role would suit an experienced Head of Housing, Housing Operations Manager, Housing Needs Manager or Assistant Director seeking a high-impact interim assignment during a period of organisational change.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and welcomes applications from all candidates.

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