Job Description
MHA is one of the UK’s leading charitable providers of housing, care and support services for older people. Established in 1943, we have more than 80 years’ experience of enabling people to live later life well. Operating across England and Wales, MHA provides residential, nursing and dementia care homes, retirement living communities, housing with support and community-based services. As a values-led organisation, we reinvest any surplus back into our services, ensuring we continue to deliver safe, high-quality environments where older people can thrive with dignity and independence.
As regulatory expectations continue to evolve and the building safety landscape becomes increasingly complex, we are seeking to appoint a Head of Compliance & Building Safety. This is a key senior leadership role that will shape and strengthen our approach to statutory compliance, building safety assurance and risk management across our diverse property portfolio, including care homes and retirement living schemes.
Reporting to the Director of Property & Estates Management, and as a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Compliance & Building Safety will lead the strategic direction and operational oversight of compliance and building safety across MHA. You will ensure that the organisation not only meets all statutory and regulatory requirements but demonstrates sector-leading practice in safety, governance and assurance.
This is a highly visible and influential role requiring strong technical expertise, robust governance oversight and inspirational leadership. You will embed a culture of accountability, transparency and continuous improvement, ensuring compliance and building safety are fully integrated into operational activity and aligned with MHA’s mission and values.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading the strategic direction for compliance and building safety across the portfolio.
* Ensuring compliance with all relevant statutory requirements including fire, gas, electrical, asbestos, water hygiene, radon, lifts and lifting equipment, and the Building Safety Act 2022.
* Developing, implementing and maintaining a robust compliance framework aligned with legislation and sector regulation.
* Overseeing risk management frameworks with clear first, second and third lines of assurance.
* Providing high-quality assurance reports to the Executive Team, Committees and Board.
* Leading the capture, integrity and analysis of compliance and building safety data, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.
* Managing audits, inspections and regulatory engagement, embedding learning and continuous improvement.
* Ensuring competent contractors are procured and effectively performance managed.
* Leading investigations into compliance incidents, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective actions.
* Working collaboratively with Property, Estates, Care and Retirement Living teams to embed compliance into day-to-day operations.
* Leading and developing a high-performing compliance and building safety team, promoting an inclusive, accountable and values-led culture.
We are looking for a senior leader who brings:
* A proven track record of senior leadership in compliance and building safety within social housing, care or a closely related regulated sector.
* Strong knowledge of UK building safety regulations including the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Order and HHSRS.
* Familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as the Regulator of Social Housing and the Care Quality Commission.
* Experience in audit, risk management and implementing corrective actions.
* Experience developing and implementing property compliance policies and procedures.
* Experience using compliance management and reporting systems, with the ability to analyse and interpret performance data.
* Strong contractor management and service improvement experience.
* Relevant qualifications in construction, engineering, fire safety, surveying or risk management (professional membership desirable).
* Inspirational and visible leadership capability, able to drive change and embed a culture of integrity, accountability and resident safety.
* Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with experience reporting to Boards and Committees.
Closing date for applications is 12 midday on Friday, 20th March 2026.
For a confidential discussion and to hear more information, please contact our consultants at Neemar Search:
Luke Joy
Consultant
lukejoy@neemarsearch.com
Eliot Jeffries
Delivery Consultant
eliotjeffries@neemarsearch.com