Director of Assurance & Compliance
Watford Community Housing
Salary: £100K Plus - 37 hours per week
The Vacancy
Full time - 37 hours per week
Introduction to the role
At Watford Community Housing, we provide vital services that help people to live better lives. We're looking for a Director of Assurance & Compliance to lead our organisation-wide approach to building safety, compliance and risk management - ensuring our homes, buildings, colleagues and customers remain safe, protected and supported.
Role purpose
This is a critical leadership role with direct accountability for building safety and regulatory assurance across a complex housing portfolio. You will act as a senior Responsible Person, lead engagement with the Building Safety Regulator, and provide personal assurance to the Board that our homes and residents are safe.
What's the role?
Key Accountabilities:
* Provide assurance to the Board, Executive Team and regulators that all compliance, safety and risk obligations are met, leading compliance frameworks, risk management strategies and internal audit responses.
* Ensure the organisation fully meets its obligations under the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act, acting as Responsible Person where required and ensuring all actions are monitored and completed.
* Drive digital transformation in compliance monitoring, using data analytics and automated reporting to support predictive risk management and high-quality assurance.
* Oversee building safety, fire safety and resident safety activity, ensuring policies, processes and KPIs are met and Building Safety Cases and Resident Engagement Strategies are in place for all HRBs.
* Lead the development of health, safety and wellbeing strategies, ensuring effective policies, external accreditation and robust monitoring of corporate health and safety.
* Develop and manage the organisation's insurance strategy, ensuring effective risk transfer, claims governance and strong relationships with brokers and insurers.
* Ensure compliance training, risk assessments and method statements are delivered effectively, and that a resilient, competent supply chain is in place.
* Own relevant budgets and KPIs, ensuring delivery within business plan parameters, and lead the production of Board and committee assurance reporting.
* Foster a positive, collaborative culture that engages colleagues across the organisation.
* Operate with authority and independence, providing constructive challenge and assurance at Executive and Board level, particularly where safety, compliance or risk is concerned.
What are we looking for?
This role will suit a senior leader who has operated under regulatory scrutiny and is comfortable holding personal accountability for safetycritical outcomes.
Essential Skills
Experience:
* Proven track record in strategic compliance leadership within social housing or a regulated, assetintensive sector.
* Experience acting as Responsible Person under building and fire safety legislation.
* Strong background in building compliance, risk assessment programmes (including HRBs), and managing complex supply chains.
* Experience in corporate health and safety management.
* Expertise in insurance strategy, risk transfer and claims governance.
Knowledge:
* Building Safety Act, Fire Safety Act and wider regulatory obligations.
* Corporate health and safety requirements.
* Commercial awareness and understanding of cost, quality and value.
Skills & Abilities:
* Strong communicator with excellent collaborative skills.
* Skilled at building relationships with staff, customers and stakeholders.
* Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
* Strategic thinker with an innovative approach to service improvement.
* Strong leadership and people management skills.
* Ability to analyse data to drive service improvement and resource allocation.
* High levels of drive, determination and selfmotivation.
Qualifications:
* Relevant professional experience (formal qualifications not essential but beneficial).
Desirable Skills
* Corporate membership of RICS, CIOB or IOSH.
* Management qualification (e.g., ILM, diploma) or working towards one.
* Experience with digital compliance systems and data analytics tools.
View Full Job Description here
Who you'll work with
Responsible to: Executive Director of Asset & Compliance
Responsible for: Compliance, Health & Safety, Risk Management and Insurance
Department: Asset & Compliance
Our values
Professional - We are honest, open and respectful. People trust us to keep our promises.
Forward-thinking - We have a can-do attitude and embrace opportunities to improve and innovate.
Collaborative - We work together as one team and build lasting partnerships to get results.
What can we offer you?
* 28 days' annual leave (pro rata)
* Employer pension contribution of up to 11%
* Development opportunities
* Comprehensive employee rewards scheme
How we work
We embrace agile working - blending time in our communities, shared spaces and remote working. With digital technology at the heart of our approach, we empower teams and individuals to work flexibly.
How to apply
If this sounds like your next role, click 'apply now', tell us why you've got what it takes, and attach a copy of your current CV.
Closing date: 22 March 2026
Interviews: W/C 23 March 2026
(Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a large response.)