Lead Private Sector Housing Manager

Do you believe everyone deserves a safe, secure, and good-quality home? Are you an experienced housing or environmental health professional ready to lead, influence, and shape the future of the private rented sector?

This is a rare opportunity to join Canterbury City Council in a leadership role at a time of major national reform, including implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act.

As Lead Private Sector Housing Manager, you will provide professional leadership across a complex statutory service, combining deep technical expertise with strategic vision.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £61,645.19 (plus £3,621 car allowance)
• Annual cost-of-living pay award
• Flexible, hybrid working arrangements
• Generous annual leave starting at 26 days increasing to 31 days after 5 years' service plus 3 additional days over Christmas, with the option to buy more
• We’ll support and encourage your career by providing excellent opportunities for training and development, as well as cover a Professional Body Membership fee where needed for the role
• Employee perks, including multiple retailer and lifestyle discounts to help you get the most out of your money and enjoy your free time.
• An easier commute: free use of Canterbury’s Park and Ride, flexi bus tickets, and a cycle to work scheme.
• Stay healthy:
  Access to free counselling, advice and webinars through our employee assistance programme, as well as contributions to the cost of Flu Jabs.

About this Lead Private Sector Housing Manager job in Canterbury

This role provides strategic and operational leadership for Private Sector Housing within Locality Services, reporting to the Head of Locality Services. You will lead a complex statutory service at a time of significant national reform, including implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, by setting clear direction, developing policy, assuring compliance and driving continuous service improvement.

You will lead and support a multidisciplinary team, manage significant budgets and resources, and act as the Council’s expert adviser on housing regulation, enforcement, contractor management and policy. A key part of the role will be building strong relationships with stakeholders, government bodies and the wider community, representing Canterbury City Council at officer, member and public meetings to advance housing standards and strategic priorities.

We are looking for an experienced leader with strong technical expertise, sound judgement and a clear commitment to improving housing outcomes. You will bring the qualifications, knowledge and practical experience needed to lead with confidence, support and develop your team, manage resources effectively and influence the future direction of private sector housing in Canterbury.

In this role, you will be

• Leading the Private Sector Housing Team
• Delivering statutory housing functions
• Leading implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act
• Setting long-term objectives and monitoring service performance.
• Delivery of stock condition survey programmes
• Overseeing Disabled Facilities Grants and adaptations within our own housing stock
• Managing the Social Letting Agency
• Partnership working and representing the team at officer, member and public meetings.

• Full-time, 37 hours per week
• Flexible, hybrid working arrangements
• A full week off over Christmas in addition to your annual leave allowance

About you, the ideal Lead Private Sector Housing Manager for our team:

• Degree or professional qualification in Environmental Health, Housing, Surveying or a related field
• Leadership or management training

Due to the nature of this role an enhanced DBS check and references will be required for the successful applicant.

Your knowledge:

• Demonstrable knowledge of Renter Right Act 2025, Housing Act 2004, Housing & Planning Act 2016, HHSRS and related statutory frameworks.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the scope and role of regulatory codes of practice, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
• Extensive knowledge on construction, building engineering services, materials and common property defects.
• Extensive understanding of contract and procurement processes…