Independent Living Manager

The Vacancy

Fulltime: 37hrs per week
Proposed Interview Date: TBC

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Living Manager to lead and develop Saffron's Independent Living services, ensuring they are safe, compliant, person‑centred, and financially sustainable.

• Provide leadership to Independent Living Team, estates, and tenancy management.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, person‑centred housing support that enables residents to live safely and independently.
• Write, review, and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and guidance covering service delivery, safeguarding, complaints handling, tenancy/leasehold management, service charges, and health & safety.
• Ensure compliance with housing law, health & safety, fire safety, Equality Act, GDPR, adult safeguarding legislation, and (where applicable) CQC frameworks.
• Own the end‑to‑end complaints process, ensuring timely, fair, and resident‑focused resolutions and clear remedies.
• Provide leadership and oversight to ensure the team works collaboratively with wider Tenant Services, promoting compliance with tenancy agreements, proactively addressing breaches, and supporting sustainable and successful tenancies.
• Oversee leasehold services, lease compliance, resident consultations, alterations, and dispute resolution.
• Build strong partnerships with Local Authorities, health providers, care agencies, and other organisations.

For a full list of responsibilities please see the attached Role Profile.

• Educated to degree level or qualified by experience.
• Management qualification.
• CIH Level 3 or higher, or the ability to obtain.

• Managing multidisciplinary teams and external contracts.
• Extensive leadership experience in supported housing, social care, or independent living.
• Financial acumen and risk management expertise.
• Commissioning services; partnership working across housing/health/VCSE.
• Contract management and supplier performance.
• Extensive experience of CQC‑regulated environments and quality frameworks.
• Managing complaints and Ombudsman cases; drafting formal responses and implementing determinations.
• Leasehold/service charge management within social housing context.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding, housing compliance, GDPR and Equality Act.
• Complaint managing best practice, two‑stage procedures and learning culture.
• Knowledge of leasehold frameworks, Section 20 consultation, and resident rights.
• Excellent communication; written responses, committee papers, resident‑friendly messages.
• IT proficiency (MS Office, housing systems, digital engagement tools).

• Emotional resilience and ability to manage complex situations.
• Inclusive leadership; coaching style, growth mindset.
• Full UK driving licence and the ability to travel independently.

Please note this role is subject to a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service check.

We are an inclusive employer committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and have a zero tolerance policy relating to discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Saffron Community.

• Learning and Development – covers the membership fee of a professional body relevant to your role, and opportunities for training and courses.
• Generous holiday entitlement, holiday trading, volunteer and study days, and enhanced family leave.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme, trained mental health first aiders and wellbeing check‑ins.
• Aviva pension scheme – choose your contribution and Saffron match up to 10%, and life assurance cover.
• Health schemes – Bupa Private Medical Insurance, Medicash cashback plan (eligible after probation completion).
• Salary sacrifice schemes – cycle‑to‑work and Tusker car scheme.
• Shopping discounts and access to Employee Assistance Programme.
• Staff recognition awards.
• Support for your qualifications.
• Access to mental health first aiders.