Head of Housing
YMCA Black Country Group
United Kingdom
Published yesterday
Housing services manager
Full Time
Job Description
Job Title: Head of Housing
Location: Based at one of our Housing Sites but with responsibility for services delivered across the Black Country and Staffordshire Border Areas. Travel between sites will be required.
Responsible to: Chief Officer Places
Working Hours: 37.5 per week - the nature of the job will involve flexible working hours and may include working on some evenings and weekends. There is also a responsibility for ensuring an on-call rota is covered.
Remuneration: £46,000 per annum + Benefits
Annual Leave: 25 days per annum + Bank Holidays
Background: YMCA Black Country Group is a group of YMCA charitable companies & associated trading subsidiaries operating in the Black Country and South Staffordshire area. The charity employs around 200 staff across several sites, delivering a wide range of community services including supported housing, youth work, childcare and family support, drug and alcohol support interventions, skills and employment training, health and well-being services, and work in prisons.
YMCA BCG is part of the worldwide YMCA, a Christian Movement, founded on the Paris Basis, uniting Christians who motivated by their faith in Jesus Christ, wish to unite their efforts to extend the Kingdom of God. Its social programmes, meet the needs of many local communities of all faiths and none, which forms part of the fulfilment of this mission.
Many YMCA BCG staff are not practicing Christians but understand that they work for an organisation with a Christian ethos and values, and that these will be reflected in and through the activities that they run.
Job Purpose:
The Head of Housing is a key leadership role responsible for developing, managing, and driving the delivery of high-quality housing services across the YMCA Black Country Group. This includes supported housing, supported lodgings, homelessness prevention, Y-Living and Living Springs. The postholder will ensure compliance with regulatory standards, optimise operational performance, and develop strategic initiatives to address housing needs in the region.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
• Empower the Housing Managers to deliver high-quality services, enabling them to work autonomously, and to take responsibility for their provision, fostering a culture of accountability, development, and collaboration.
• Provide targeted support to Housing Managers experiencing complex operational challenges, stepping in and out as required while building their capability to resolve issues sustainably. Provide regular coaching, support and appraisal and ensure similar systems operate effectively for all staff within the Housing Department. Identify and drive workforce development opportunities across Housing Services.
• Chair and facilitate Housing Managers meetings at least monthly, enabling shared learning, peer support, problem-solving and forward planning. Meetings will focus on improving KPI's, addressing underperformance and agreeing remedial actions.
Financial Oversight
1. Represent Black Country YMCA at events regionally and nationally as appropriate.
2. Participate in staff and Senior Leader meetings, providing regular feedback.
3. To be responsible for the delivery of work with due respect for the Christian Ethos of staff, clients, and other external partners, enabling partnerships with Chaplains, Churches, and Christian Mission.
4. Ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff, service users and volunteers in accordance with the YMCA's Health & Safety Policy and conduct risk assessments as appropriate.
5. Ensure all work practise is inclusive, expressed through a wholehearted commitment to welcome those of all faiths and none. Undertake any other duties that are consistent with the job.
This job description describes responsibilities as they are required currently. It is anticipated duties will change over time and the job description may need to be reviewed in the future.
Person Specification:
Head of Housing
Qualifications
Desirable
Essential
Degree or equivalent in housing, social work, or a related field.
√
Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIH Level 5 or above).
√
Experience
Desirable
Essential
Proven track record in housing management role within the voluntary, public, or housing association sectors.
√
Experience in developing and delivering housing strategies and managing supported housing schemes.
√
Strong background in partnership working with local authorities, commissioners, and other key stakeholders.
√
Demonstrable experience in budget management, compliance, and performance monitoring.
√
Experience of successfully managing staff teams across multiple sites.
√
Experience of leading services working with people facing complex needs, housing insecurity or transition, using a trauma-informed and person-centred approach.[SB1]
√
Skills and Knowledge
Desirable
Essential
In-depth knowledge of housing legislation, regulations, and best practices.
√
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
√
Ability to inspire and lead a diverse team to achieve shared goals.
√
Strong communication skills, able to engage staff, residents, partners and senior stakeholders with clarity and empathy.
√
Values and Behaviours
Desirable
Essential
Commitment to the YMCA's mission, values, and ethos.
√
Passion for addressing housing challenges and supporting people experiencing housing insecurity to build stability and independence.
√
Proactive and adaptable, with a solution-focused approach.
√
General
Full driving licence with an ability to regularly travel across the Black Country
√
Ability to respect the Christian Ethos of the organisation enabling partnerships with Chaplains, Churches, and Christian Mission Services.
√
THE POST HOLDER MUST AGREE TO AUTHORISE A FULL ENHANCED DBS CHECK.
√
Job Title: Head of Housing
Location: Based at one of our Housing Sites but with responsibility for services delivered across the Black Country and Staffordshire Border Areas. Travel between sites will be required.
Responsible to: Chief Officer Places
Working Hours: 37.5 per week - the nature of the job will involve flexible working hours and may include working on some evenings and weekends. There is also a responsibility for ensuring an on-call rota is covered.
Remuneration: £46,000 per annum + Benefits
Annual Leave: 25 days per annum + Bank Holidays
Background: YMCA Black Country Group is a group of YMCA charitable companies & associated trading subsidiaries operating in the Black Country and South Staffordshire area. The charity employs around 200 staff across several sites, delivering a wide range of community services including supported housing, youth work, childcare and family support, drug and alcohol support interventions, skills and employment training, health and well-being services, and work in prisons.
YMCA BCG is part of the worldwide YMCA, a Christian Movement, founded on the Paris Basis, uniting Christians who motivated by their faith in Jesus Christ, wish to unite their efforts to extend the Kingdom of God. Its social programmes, meet the needs of many local communities of all faiths and none, which forms part of the fulfilment of this mission.
Many YMCA BCG staff are not practicing Christians but understand that they work for an organisation with a Christian ethos and values, and that these will be reflected in and through the activities that they run.
Job Purpose:
The Head of Housing is a key leadership role responsible for developing, managing, and driving the delivery of high-quality housing services across the YMCA Black Country Group. This includes supported housing, supported lodgings, homelessness prevention, Y-Living and Living Springs. The postholder will ensure compliance with regulatory standards, optimise operational performance, and develop strategic initiatives to address housing needs in the region.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Work with the Chief Officer Places to develop and implement a forward-thinking housing strategy aligned with the YMCA's mission, values and commitment to safe, supportive communities.
- Provide strategic leadership on innovation and service development ensuring housing provision continues to respond effectively to the needs of people experiencing housing insecurity.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including local authorities, housing associations, and funding bodies, to strengthen collaboration and secure sustainable funding.
- Work collaboratively across departments to develop and grow strategically relevant services for young people, strengthening joined-up pathways that support belonging, stability and positive move-on.
- Actively contribute to the senior leadership team supporting the overall strategic direction, culture and impact of YMCA Black Country Group.
• Empower the Housing Managers to deliver high-quality services, enabling them to work autonomously, and to take responsibility for their provision, fostering a culture of accountability, development, and collaboration.
• Provide targeted support to Housing Managers experiencing complex operational challenges, stepping in and out as required while building their capability to resolve issues sustainably. Provide regular coaching, support and appraisal and ensure similar systems operate effectively for all staff within the Housing Department. Identify and drive workforce development opportunities across Housing Services.
- Work with the Chief Officer Places to ensure compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations, including housing legislation, health and safety, and safeguarding requirements.
- Monitor service performance through data analysis, KPIs, and reporting, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions.
• Chair and facilitate Housing Managers meetings at least monthly, enabling shared learning, peer support, problem-solving and forward planning. Meetings will focus on improving KPI's, addressing underperformance and agreeing remedial actions.
Financial Oversight
- Develop and manage budgets for housing operations, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and efficiency in alignment with organisational priorities.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen financial resilience through effective cost savings, new funding streams, and appropriate income generation across the housing portfolio.
- Prepare financial reports and forecasts to support decision-making and strategic planning.
- Ensure robust systems and processes are in place to optimise rent collection, minimise voids and reduce arrears in a fair, consistent and supportive way.
- Ensure housing services provide safe, supportive, and inclusive environments where residents are treated with dignity and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
- Develop pathways to promote resident independence, progression into employment, education and training, and positive move-on.
- Promote a culture of resident engagement and feedback to continually improve services.
- Ensure the YMCA Support Pathway is fully embedded in all Housing Services and applied effectively, enabling residents to belong, contribute and thrive.
- Work closely with the Supported Housing Compliance Manager to ensure actions arising from audits are implemented effectively within services.
1. Represent Black Country YMCA at events regionally and nationally as appropriate.
2. Participate in staff and Senior Leader meetings, providing regular feedback.
3. To be responsible for the delivery of work with due respect for the Christian Ethos of staff, clients, and other external partners, enabling partnerships with Chaplains, Churches, and Christian Mission.
4. Ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff, service users and volunteers in accordance with the YMCA's Health & Safety Policy and conduct risk assessments as appropriate.
5. Ensure all work practise is inclusive, expressed through a wholehearted commitment to welcome those of all faiths and none. Undertake any other duties that are consistent with the job.
This job description describes responsibilities as they are required currently. It is anticipated duties will change over time and the job description may need to be reviewed in the future.
Person Specification:
Head of Housing
Qualifications
Desirable
Essential
Degree or equivalent in housing, social work, or a related field.
√
Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIH Level 5 or above).
√
Experience
Desirable
Essential
Proven track record in housing management role within the voluntary, public, or housing association sectors.
√
Experience in developing and delivering housing strategies and managing supported housing schemes.
√
Strong background in partnership working with local authorities, commissioners, and other key stakeholders.
√
Demonstrable experience in budget management, compliance, and performance monitoring.
√
Experience of successfully managing staff teams across multiple sites.
√
Experience of leading services working with people facing complex needs, housing insecurity or transition, using a trauma-informed and person-centred approach.[SB1]
√
Skills and Knowledge
Desirable
Essential
In-depth knowledge of housing legislation, regulations, and best practices.
√
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
√
Ability to inspire and lead a diverse team to achieve shared goals.
√
Strong communication skills, able to engage staff, residents, partners and senior stakeholders with clarity and empathy.
√
Values and Behaviours
Desirable
Essential
Commitment to the YMCA's mission, values, and ethos.
√
Passion for addressing housing challenges and supporting people experiencing housing insecurity to build stability and independence.
√
Proactive and adaptable, with a solution-focused approach.
√
General
Full driving licence with an ability to regularly travel across the Black Country
√
Ability to respect the Christian Ethos of the organisation enabling partnerships with Chaplains, Churches, and Christian Mission Services.
√
THE POST HOLDER MUST AGREE TO AUTHORISE A FULL ENHANCED DBS CHECK.
√