Assistant Director of Housing and Communities

We are seeking a determined and inspiring individual to join our dynamic team here at West Northamptonshire Council.  We are searching for an Assistant Director to lead our Housing and Communities Service, who will play a key role in transforming the way we provide housing support services.  It is an exciting time to join as we embark on a transformative journey, helping make West Northants a place where people can live their best lives.

As our Assistant Director for Housing and Communities, you'll lead the way in reshaping our services to focus on a people-centred approach. Your role is crucial in transforming our Housing service to meet the new WNC model, ensuring it aligns with the needs of our communities.

You'll collaborate with various departments, such as Adult Social Care, Public Health, and stakeholders, to create thriving, healthy communities. Also, managing the delivery contract with our ALMO (Northamptonshire Partnership Homes) and overseeing responsibilities for Community Safety, Resettlement, Voluntary and Community Sector and Parish and Town Council areas.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or would like an informal discussion, please email helen.osborn@westnorthants.gov.uk 
Our benefitsWe offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
Cycle to Work scheme. 
Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
Car Lease scheme
Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
Ongoing training and development opportunities.
A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

What will you be doing?You'll be at the forefront, strategically transforming our Housing & Communities services, driving prevention initiatives to minimise homelessness and leading the development and implementation of our Housing Strategy.  By collaborating with key services and stakeholders, you'll help shape West Northants as a place where people thrive and age well in their communities.

You’ll also manage the delivery contract with our ALMO and develop key relationships with partner agencies and private developers, maximising opportunities to work collaboratively to deliver housing provision and community-based infrastructure.

By taking strategic responsibility for Community Safety, Resettlement, VCS (Voluntary and Community Sector) and Parish & Town Council areas, your contributions will shape our community outcomes.

Reporting to the Director of Communities & Opportunities, you'll play a key role in building a high-performance culture and encouraging collaboration and innovation, to deliver a Housing Service focused on people which ensures excellent value for money.
About youWe're looking for someone with proven leadership skills, able to drive and implement corporate and service improvements and find solutions to complex issues.  Bring your passion to transform, ability to innovate and your strong personal commitment to the delivery of first-class services.

Exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills are key.  We are also looking for significant experience of working with a range of partners and forging successful partnerships alongside leading, motivating and managing teams to achieve high performance and significant, sustainable service improvements.

Finally, your financial management expertise, passion for community building, and adaptability in navigating local government complexities will make you an ideal candidate.

 
About usWe’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and Communities.  

Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. 

Hear more from our Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw, about what it's like to work at West Northants Council https://youtu.be/lV0EfeUF4aU 

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.

Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.