Assistant Director

Assistant Director – Housing Standards
Location: London | Sector: London Local Authority
Day Rate: £700–£750 (Umbrella) | Hybrid Working
Duration 3 months in the first instance (potential for extension) 
Immediate Interviews
Expected Start: Late November / Early December

A forward-thinking, proactive London local authority is seeking a dynamic, visionary leader to drive improvements across all housing tenures, including council homes, Housing Association stock, and the private rented sector. With the private rented sector now the largest form of housing locally, this pivotal role offers the chance to deliver tangible improvements for residents and ensure high-quality, safe, and well-managed homes across the borough. As Assistant Director you will be a key member of the Housing Department Management Team, shaping service improvement initiatives, monitoring delivery, and ensuring compliance with new legislation such as the Renters Rights Act and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

Overview
As Assistant Director of Housing Standards, you will:

• Lead borough-wide initiatives to improve housing standards in private rented accommodation, including properties managed by Registered Providers such as Housing Associations
• Strengthen relationships with Housing Associations where tenants have complaints or concerns
• Ensure private landlords in council-owned stock comply with lease requirements, including alterations, use, and nuisance
• Act as the Council’s expert advisor on private sector housing, influencing policy, strategy, and operational delivery
• Provide high-level performance and quality monitoring to Senior Leadership and Members
• Develop strategic approaches to meet housing priorities and ensure corporate visibility of key performance indicators
• Strategically influence and manage budgets of £5–10m annually
• Lead up to five direct reports and work with Finance to maximise private sector housing income and debt collection
• Develop opportunities for income generation and grant funding for housing services
• Represent the authority at regional and national forums, building relationships with private landlords, property agents, and Registered Social Landlords
• Ensure consistent, high-quality responses to housing complaints across all tenures, including damp and mould issues
• Drive ambitious service improvement programmes to deliver the best possible outcomes for tenants, renters, and leaseholders

Knowledge & Experience:

• Senior management experience in a large organisation with complex, multidisciplinary teams
• Deep understanding of housing legislation and policy, including Housing Acts, Building Safety Act, Renters Rights Act, and related legislation
• Proven track record in developing and implementing operational strategies and performance frameworks
• Experience of strategic budget management and delivering high-quality services
• Knowledge of the political interface in local government and the needs of elected members

This is a high-impact, strategic role at the heart of the authority’s housing and regulatory agenda. You will influence housing standards across the borough, ensuring safe, well-managed homes for residents while shaping policy and service delivery at a local, regional, and national level.

Interviews are being scheduled immediately, with a view to a start in late November / early December. Submit your CV for immediate review.