We have an excellent opportunity available for a Service Manager - Housing & Income to join our team at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis.
As the Service Manager - Housing & Income, you will be responsible for the leadership, direction, and performance of Housing Management services to residents living in council housing or homes provided by council-owned companies, for people in all tenures, and supporting to the wider housing service in the council.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a council with a strong track record of delivering high-quality housing services and a clear commitment to continuous improvement. The Housing Operations team has been recognised for its resident-focused approach and its success in embedding new ways of working that improve outcomes for tenants, leaseholders, and communities.
We are in the midst of a significant culture change programme, embedding values of accountability, collaboration, and customer-first thinking across all housing services. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving this transformation, leading teams to embrace innovation, adapt to new ways of working, and continually improve service delivery.
Alongside cultural transformation, the service is also investing in technological improvements, including the development of digital services, new housing management workflows, and the use of customer insight to shape decision-making. These changes are enabling us to deliver more efficient, transparent, and accessible services for residents.
The postholder will also have a key role in ensuring the council remains compliant with new regulatory requirements, including those under the Social Housing Regulation Act, while helping to shape the delivery of the Housing Improvement Programme.
This is a high-profile role with significant scope to make a positive impact across the borough.
Benefits:
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of days 31 (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
⭐ An excellent local government pension scheme
⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts
⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
⭐ And much more!
Key responsibilities:
1. Provide strategic leadership, direction, and governance across housing management, ensuring services deliver intended outcomes, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve high customer satisfaction.
2. Work collaboratively with senior leaders, colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to shape housing strategy, set KPIs, and drive continuous improvement.
3. Lead, develop, and support housing management, housing support, and income collection teams to deliver high-performing, customer-focused, and compliant services.
4. Drive performance and financial management, including income collection, tenancy sustainment, and minimising rent and void losses to maximise housing supply.
5. Develop and implement policies, change programmes, and digital services that improve efficiency, innovation, and resident engagement.
6. Champion resident involvement by establishing accessible systems and processes that empower tenants to influence service delivery and neighbourhood outcomes.
7. Lead recruitment, development, and performance management of staff, embedding a culture of learning, innovation, and sector-leading practice.
8. Identify, monitor, and manage strategic risks and issues that could affect the Housing Improvement Programme or wider housing outcomes.
Candidate requirements:
9. A relevant professional qualification in housing (CIH Level 4 or above, ideally Level 5, or equivalent).
10. Senior management experience within the housing sector, with a strong track record of delivering housing management services.
11. Experience leading teams to achieve high performance and excellent customer outcomes.
12. A proven ability to drive service improvements, deliver efficiencies, and enhance the customer experience.
13. Strong knowledge of housing management best practice, and the regulatory, legislative, and policy environment affecting social housing.
14. Excellent communication and partnership skills, with the ability to engage residents, colleagues, councillors, and external partners.
15. The ability to manage budgets, risks, and competing priorities while ensuring compliance and accountability.
16. Must be able to travel to locations across the borough and help in out of hours response arrangements, and attend evening meetings.
Our area:
Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
Click the link below and apply today. Alternatively, if you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please e-mail Martin Cooke, Interim Head of Housing Operations - martin.cooke@wokingham.gov.uk