Head of Temporary Accommodation, Housing Register & Allocations - AR

Job Title: Head of Temporary Accommodation, Housing Register & Allocations

Reports to: Director of Housing / Assistant Director of Housing
Team: Housing Needs, Allocations, and Temporary Accommodation Teams

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic senior housing professional to lead our Temporary Accommodation, Housing Register, and Allocations services. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for ensuring that vulnerable households are provided with safe, suitable, and sustainable housing in line with statutory duties, local policies, and strategic priorities.

The post-holder will provide both operational oversight and strategic direction, driving service improvement, managing significant budgets, and building strong partnerships across internal departments, external agencies, and housing providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Temporary Accommodation, Allocations, and Housing Register services.
• Lead the delivery of the Council's B&B elimination plan, reducing reliance on unsuitable accommodation and supporting households to move into sustainable housing.
• Oversee the provision, procurement, and management of Temporary Accommodation, ensuring compliance with legislation, contractual standards, and financial limits.
• Ensure the Council meets its statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and associated statutory guidance.
• Oversee the Housing Register and allocations scheme, ensuring a fair, transparent, and effective approach to prioritisation and lettings.
• Drive continuous service improvement, strengthen performance management, enhance the customer journey, and deliver value for money.
• Lead on the development and implementation of service policies, procedures, and systems in line with legislative and strategic requirements.
• Manage significant financial resources, including Temporary Accommodation budgets, ensuring effective planning, control, and alignment with the Council's financial framework.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with internal services, external agencies, landlords, and providers to improve housing supply and service delivery.
• Represent the service at a senior level, including engagement with Members, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.

Person Specification Experience & Knowledge

• Substantial experience at a senior management level within a local authority housing service, specifically managing Temporary Accommodation and Housing Allocation services.
• Strong understanding of homelessness legislation, allocations frameworks, and housing policy.
• Experience of managing significant public sector budgets and delivering services within financial constraints.
• Experience in commissioning, procurement, and contract management, including working with housing providers, landlords, and partners.
• Track record of leading and motivating large, multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering service improvements and leading change programmes.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong strategic leadership and operational oversight skills.
• Excellent influencing, negotiation, and communication skills, able to work with Members, senior officers, and external stakeholders.
• Politically aware with a clear understanding of local government governance and decision-making.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions, and drive measurable outcomes.

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to lead critical housing services in a high-profile, challenging, and rewarding environment.
• Influence strategic housing policy and service delivery that directly impacts vulnerable households.
• Work within a supportive senior leadership team, driving innovation and improvement across the council.