Housing Enforcement Lead

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To support the Housing & Vulnerability Business Manager in the operational leadership and management of the Housing & Vulnerability Service, providing specialist expertise across Private Sector Housing, Renters Rights, Housing Strategy and associated housing enforcement functions.

The postholder will provide functional leadership, technical guidance and professional support to officers across the service, ensuring compliance with legislation, policies, procedures and performance standards. The role will lead on complex and high-risk housing enforcement cases, support service improvement initiatives, contribute to strategic housing priorities and ensure high-quality outcomes for residents, landlords, businesses and stakeholders.

The postholder will champion continuous improvement, workforce development and innovation while ensuring statutory obligations and corporate objectives are effectively delivered.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Housing & Vulnerability Business Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the service.
  
• Provide functional leadership across:
  • Private Sector Housing
    
  • HHSRS Enforcement
    
  • HMO Licensing
    
  • Fire Safety in High Rise Residential Buildings
    
  • Asylum Accommodation
    
  • Public Health in Housing
    
  • Renters Rights Implementation & Enforcement
    
  • Housing Strategy
    
  • Homelessness Prevention
    
  • Temporary Accommodation
    
  • Supported Accommodation
    
  • Affordable Housing
    
• Lead on complex, contentious and high-risk housing enforcement cases requiring specialist knowledge and experience.
  
• Ensure work processes, service standards and compliance requirements are maintained and continuously improved.
  
• Provide technical advice and guidance to officers, management, elected members and stakeholders.
  
• Manage, support and develop officers through mentoring, coaching, training and performance management activities.
  
• Undertake one-to-one meetings, performance reviews, appraisals and wellbeing discussions.
  
• Support the delivery of a multi-skilled workforce through knowledge sharing, training and professional development.
  
• Design, develop and maintain operational guidance, procedures, templates and best practice resources.
  
• Monitor compliance with legislation, statutory guidance and internal operating procedures.
  
• Support the escalation and resolution of complex customer enquiries, complaints and service issues.
  
• Lead and coordinate enforcement activity in accordance with relevant housing legislation and Council policies.
  
• Prepare witness statements, legal case files, evidence bundles and appeal documentation.
  
• Represent the Council at court hearings, tribunals, inquiries, enforcement proceedings and stakeholder meetings.
  
• Provide reports and briefings to senior management, elected members, committees and external bodies.
  
• Support the preparation and management of external funding bids and grant-funded housing projects.
  
• Monitor and manage service budgets, expenditure and income in accordance with financial regulations.
  
• Deliver and monitor funded initiatives, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and performance targets.
  
• Respond to complaints and appeals at first-stage level in accordance with Council policies.
  
• Contribute to service transformation, innovation and continuous improvement programmes.
  
• Participate in emergency response, out-of-hours and standby arrangements where required.
  
• Build effective relationships with partner agencies, landlords, housing providers, regulators and community organisations.
  
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, information governance, health and safety and equality requirements.
  

Requirements

Essential

• Significant experience within Housing Enforcement, Private Sector Housing, Environmental Health Housing or a related regulatory service.
  
• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
    
  • HMO Licensing
    
  • Housing Act legislation
    
  • Private Sector Housing Enforcement
    
  • Renters Rights legislation and enforcement
    
  • Public Health in Housing
    
  • Housing Standards and Compliance
    
• Experience managing complex enforcement investigations and legal proceedings.
  
• Experience preparing prosecution files, witness statements and enforcement notices.
  
• Experience supervising, mentoring or leading staff within a regulatory or housing environment.
  
• Strong understanding of homelessness, temporary accommodation and housing strategy delivery.
  
• Experience managing complaints, appeals and service escalations.
  
• Experience delivering training, coaching and professional development to staff.
  
• Strong knowledge of relevant housing legislation, regulatory frameworks and enforcement powers.
  
• Excellent report-writing, analytical and problem-solving skills.
  
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Ability to work effectively in a politically sensitive environment.
  
• Experience monitoring budgets, performance indicators and service delivery targets.
  

Desirable

• Degree or professional qualification in Environmental Health, Housing, Housing Enforcement or a related discipline.
  
• Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) qualification or equivalent.
  
• Environmental Health registration or related professional accreditation.
  
• Experience managing grant-funded projects and external funding programmes.
  
• Experience within a Local Authority Housing Enforcement or Regulatory Services environment.
  
• Knowledge of affordable housing delivery and housing strategy development.
  
• Experience supporting organisational transformation and service improvement programmes.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme
  
• Hours Per Week: 37 Hours
  
• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments