Housing Allocations Team Manager – AR

Job Details

Job Title: Housing Allocations Team Manager

Purpose of the Role

To lead and manage the Housing Allocations function, ensuring the effective operation of the housing register and the fair, transparent, and timely allocation of social housing in line with Part VI of the Housing Act 1996 and the Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme.

Key Responsibilities

  • Manage a team of Housing Allocators and Assessors responsible for maintaining the housing register and assessing applications.
  • Ensure all housing assessments and allocation decisions are compliant with legislation, statutory guidance, and the Council’s allocations policy.
  • Oversee the delivery of a choice-based lettings system, ensuring properties are allocated efficiently and within agreed timescales.
  • Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on housing allocations, providing technical advice and guidance to internal stakeholders.
  • Make and review complex or exceptional allocation decisions, ensuring consistency, fairness, and defensibility.
  • Lead on the development, review, and implementation of the Housing Allocations Scheme, including report writing and committee approval processes.
  • Manage the implementation of policy changes, including associated system (IT) updates and process improvements.
  • Develop and maintain effective nominations agreements and relationships with Registered Providers (Housing Associations).
  • Monitor and manage team and service performance, using data to drive improvements and ensure targets are met.
  • Ensure accurate record-keeping and reporting across housing systems.

Key Skills & Experience

  • Strong working knowledge of Part VI of the Housing Act 1996 and housing allocations legislation.
  • Proven experience in housing allocations, lettings, or housing needs services within a local authority or housing provider.
  • Experience of managing or supervising teams, including performance management.
  • Demonstrable experience of reviewing and updating housing allocations policies, including governance and committee processes.
  • Experience delivering service improvements or projects, including IT/system changes.
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills, particularly in complex or sensitive cases.
  • Experience managing relationships with Registered Providers and nomination processes.
  • Excellent report writing and communication skills.

Key Competencies

  • Technical expertise in housing allocations
  • Leadership and team management
  • Policy development and implementation
  • Performance monitoring and improvement
  • Project and change management
  • Stakeholder management

Additional Information

This role requires a high level of accountability and the ability to make legally sound decisions that directly impact access to social housing.