Housing Needs Manager
Braintree District Council
Temporary, Full Time
Up to £350.00 per day (umbrella)
Location: Braintree
Closing Date: 5th March 2026
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree District Council to recruit a Housing Needs Manager on a 6–9-month basis. Please note that this post is offering hybrid working with 2 days in the office.
The Role:
Braintree District Council is seeking an experienced Housing Needs Manager to oversee the operational function. The candidate will be joining the service during a critical period of service to provide effective leadership to staff within the Housing Options, Homelessness and Assessment Teams to deliver high quality services that are customer focused with a emphasis on early intervention and prevention and the management of social housing allocations in the district. This includes coaching, mentoring, supporting staff and developing annual training plan for the team.
The role will ensure that services are delivered in accordance with the relevant statutory framework, codes of guidance including statutory responsibilities and homeless duties including provision of suitable temporary accommodation. In addition, working across systems and services to intervene and prevent homelessness and rough sleeping.
This is a hands-on, delivery focused interim role, operating in a high demand and financially constrained environment.
Key Deliverables:
Service Leadership
- Lead on planning and developing the services to meet changing needs of the service users and regulatory requirements including horizon scanning and responding to change in demand.
- Line manage and provide cover as required to the team managers and officers within the housing service.
- Provide clear supervision
- Workload oversight
- performance management
Service Improvement & Compliance
- Ensure all placements meet legislative, safeguarding, and suitability requirements
- Strengthen risk management and decision-making processes
Financial & Performance Management
- Monitor budgets, expenditure, and cost pressures
- Identify opportunities for efficiencies, cost avoidance, and improved utilisation
- Analyse performance data and produce clear reports for senior management
Strategic Contribution
- Contribute to wider homelessness and rough sleeping service transformation
- Support and contribute to the policy development and longer-term service planning
- Support the implementation and delivery of the Service Business Plan, Temporary Accommodation Improvement Plan and Service Team Plans.
What Success Looks Like
By the end of the contract, the Council expects:
- Stabilisation of the Housing Operational Service
- Improved contract oversight and provider performance
- Stronger budgetary control and clearer management information
The Experience You Will Bring:
- Up to date Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Knowledge An understanding of national influences including Supporting Housing Act and Renters Right Act and has specialist knowledge on legal, policy and best practice developments in homelessness / temporary accommodation
- Procurement and Negotiation Skills Ability to source, negotiate, and secure suitable temporary accommodation in a competitive and pressured housing market.
- Contract Management Skills Skilled in setting performance measures, monitoring provider compliance, resolving under‑performance, and maintaining oversight of service delivery standards.
- Leadership and Staff Management Ability to supervise, motivate, and support staff, including workload management, performance oversight, and development.
- Analytical and Data Interpretation Skills Able to analyse data, identify trends, and use insights to drive service improvement and decision-making.
- Project Management Skills Capable of delivering improvement plans, managing timelines, identifying risks, and reporting progress to senior leaders.
- Communication and Influencing Skills Strong written and verbal communication, able to build positive relationships with landlords, providers, RPs, and internal teams.
- Problem-Solving Skills Ability to assess complex cases, balance risks, and make sound decisions under pressure.
- Risk and Safeguarding Awareness Skilled in assessing suitability of accommodation and understanding safeguarding issues when placing vulnerable households.
Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative, innovative and forward-thinking approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it.
Please Note–Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.
What should you do next?
If you are interested in this post, then please click apply.
If you have any queries regarding submitting an application or require anything further, please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk