Director of Housing

Town Hall Extension, Albert Square,
Manchester, M60 2LA

£111,669 - £123,071

Manchester

About the role

Director of Housing – Manchester City Council

Band SS4 £111,669 – £123,071

Neighbourhoods Directorate

Working Location: The primary work location is White Moss Road, with occasional working from the Town Hall Extension as and when required

Building Care in Quality, Building Care in Homes, Building Care in Manchester

Manchester is a city shaped by its neighbourhoods—diverse, ambitious communities powered by a shared belief that great places transform lives. We are now seeking a visionary Director of Housing to lead our housing delivery functions and drive forward a modern, high‑performing service rooted in community wellbeing, building safety, sustainable neighbourhoods and excellent resident experience.

As a senior leader within the Neighbourhoods Directorate, you will guide our strategic approach to Neighbourhood Housing, Repairs & Maintenance, Asset & Repairs, Building Safety & Compliance and Resident Experience & Income functions —ensuring high‑quality services and performance that meet the aspirations of our residents and support the city’s long‑term growth.

You will provide clear, compassionate leadership to the management team and wider service, championing innovative approaches to place‑based delivery and continuous improvement building on our recent C2 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing. A core aspect and your immediate focus will be to lead in delivering transformational change and improvement, in particular to the in-sourcing of the Repairs & Maintenance contract and establishing an in-house direct labour organisation.

With strong political awareness and a commitment to the values of Our Manchester, you will forge robust & trusting relationships across the Council, with partners, and at regional and national levels.

This is a role for a leader who is passionate about the power of good housing to build strong, safe, thriving communities—and who can turn strategic vision into meaningful impact on the ground.

For a confidential discussion, contact our recruitment partners at Penna: Pete John on 07701 305617 or pete.john@penna.com or Ali Tasker on 07514 724114 or ali.tasker@penna.com

To apply: Penna | Jobs

TIMELINE

Closing date: 24th May 2026

In person interviews: 22nd & 23rd June 2026

Apply Now

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Associated Documents

Role Profile

Welcome from Neil Fairlamb

Strategic Director Neighbourhoods – Manchester City Council

Thank you for your interest in the role of Director of Housing at Manchester City Council. This is a pivotal moment for our city and for our Neighbourhoods Directorate, and I’m delighted that you are considering joining us.

Manchester is a place defined by its people—their pride, their resilience and their belief in the power of great neighbourhoods. Our ambition is simple but profound: to ensure every resident lives in a safe, sustainable home within a community they feel proud to belong to. This role sits at the heart of that mission.

As part of our leadership team, you will shape services that touch the everyday lives of thousands—tenancy and estate management, building safety, repairs and maintenance, resident engagement and the overall quality of the housing experience. Your leadership will influence how people feel about their home, their street, and their community.

Across the Council, we live our Our Manchester values:

We work together and trust each other.

You’ll inherit passionate teams who care deeply about our communities. Collaboration—across services, with partners and with residents—is central to how we work. We’re both proud and passionate about Manchester.

We want leaders who share that pride—who celebrate our diversity, our creativity and our ambition for inclusive growth. We take time to listen and understand.

Our residents’ voices shape our services, and your leadership will help us continue to build a culture where listening is the starting point for everything we do. We ‘own it’ and aren’t afraid to try new things.

Manchester has always been a city of firsts. We want courageous, forward‑thinking leaders who embrace innovation and drive continuous improvement.

This role is one where your strategic thinking, commitment to delivering high‑quality housing services, and belief in the transformative power of strong communities can make a tangible, lasting impact. You’ll join a team that is supportive, ambitious and deeply committed to public service.

If you share our values, our energy and our determination to make a difference, I would be delighted to see your application. Together, we can continue building a Manchester where everyone has a place to thrive.

Warm regards,

Neil Fairlamb

Strategic Director, Neighbourhoods

Manchester City Council