Job Description
Job Title: Head of Service
Location: South London
Contract Type: Temporary (Ongoing)
Day Rate: 700 - 750 per day
Start Date: ASAP
Overview:
We are working with a dynamic and forward-thinking South London local authority to appoint a highly experienced Head of Service to lead the Repairs and Damp & Mould portfolio within their Housing Directorate. This is a senior interim role requiring a hands-on, strategic leader to take ownership of the responsive repairs service, while also developing and driving the council's approach to tackling damp, mould, and condensation issues across its housing stock.
The role is pivotal in delivering safe, decent, and high-quality homes for residents, with a clear focus on compliance, customer satisfaction, and service improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide strategic and operational leadership of the housing repairs, voids, and damp & mould services.
Lead the council's response to damp and mould complaints, ensuring timely inspections, root cause identification, and robust resolution strategies.
Oversee and improve the delivery of day-to-day repairs, ensuring performance targets and KPIs are consistently met.
Drive transformation and continuous improvement within the service, enhancing resident satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), landlord obligations, and regulatory standards.
Develop and implement a proactive damp and mould strategy, working closely with internal teams, contractors, and residents.
Lead a large multi-disciplinary team including surveyors, repairs operatives, case officers, and contract managers.
Manage significant budgets and oversee contractual performance, particularly in relation to damp and mould remediation works.
Provide regular reports and updates to senior leadership, councillors, and external bodies such as the Housing Ombudsman or Regulator of Social Housing where required.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Substantial senior leadership experience in repairs and maintenance within a local authority or social housing provider.
Demonstrable expertise in managing damp, mould, and disrepair issues at a strategic level.
Strong technical understanding of property maintenance, building pathology, and HHSRS.
Track record of delivering service transformation, driving improvements, and managing performance in housing repairs services.
Confident managing large teams, complex budgets, and multiple contractors.
Politically astute and highly responsive to emerging housing and compliance issues.
Relevant professional qualifications in housing, construction, or surveying (e.g. CIH, RICS, CIOB) are desirable.
To Apply:
Please submit your CV and a short cover note highlighting your relevant experience. This is an urgent requirement, and early applications are strongly encouraged.
