Full job descriptionA senior Rents & Service Charges opportunity with a well-established, mid-sized housing association, leading a strong team and taking ownership of one of the organisation’s most important income functions.
We’re partnering with a mid-sized social housing provider based in the Manchester area to appoint a Head of Rents & Service Charges. This is a niche opportunity for an experienced housing finance professional with strong knowledge of rent regulation, service charges and income management.
About the roleYou’ll lead a strong and established function, with direct management responsibility for two Finance Business Partners, alongside a wider team of Assistant Finance Business Partners and finance support.
Your key priorities will include:
*Leading the annual rent setting and rent increase process, ensuring full regulatory and legislative compliance.
*Providing strategic oversight of service charges, budgeting and recovery.
*Ensuring strong compliance with the Rent Standard and wider housing legislation.
*Managing and developing the Finance Business Partners, providing clear direction and accountability.
*Working closely with budget holders and Heads of Service across the organisation.
*Supporting the organisation to maximise income recovery and value for money.
*Ensuring robust financial controls, processes and audit assurance.
*Supporting energy procurement and wider projects across rents and service charges.
*Providing confident advice and challenge to senior stakeholders where required.
This is a role where you can come into a strong existing team and keep things moving, rather than needing to completely rebuild the function.
About youWe’re looking for someone with strong social housing rents and/or service charge experience, who understands the regulatory environment and can confidently lead and advise others.
You’ll ideally have:
*Strong experience across rents, rent setting and/or service charges within a housing association or local authority.
*Excellent knowledge of rent and service charge regulation.
*Previous experience managing finance professionals, ideally at FBP or equivalent level.
*Strong budgeting and financial management experience.
*The confidence to work with and challenge senior stakeholders.
*Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
*Strong Excel and analytical capability.
*A practical management style, with the confidence to get into the detail when needed without becoming overly hands-on.
Qualifications are not essential. We’re much more interested in your technical knowledge, leadership ability and understanding of the social housing environment.
Experience of heat networks or energy management would be a bonus.
What’s on offer*£65,000 – £70,000
*Permanent position
*Hybrid working
*Based in the Manchester area
*Opportunity to lead an established and capable team
*Strong, collaborative Finance function
*Genuine exposure to senior stakeholders and wider organisational projects
*A non-hierarchical and supportive culture
*The opportunity to take ownership of a critical area of housing finance
If you’re an experienced Rents & Service Charge professional looking for a senior leadership opportunity within a strong social housing environment, get in touch for a confidential discussion.