Job profile for Accommodation Manager

Job Details

Job title: Accommodation Manager

Salary/Grade: SMG1

Service: Housing & Community

Reports to: Head of Housing & Community

Manages/Supervises: Temporary Accommodation & Rough Sleeping Officer, Empty Homes & PRS Officer

Job purpose

To lead the Council’s Accommodation Service, overseeing Temporary Accommodation (TA), Private Rented Sector (PRS) access and accommodation procurement, driving a reduction in TA reliance and maximising timely move-on into sustainable, long-term housing outcomes.

The post holder will provide operational leadership of the team, shaping and managing the Council’s accommodation supply to ensure it is sufficient, cost-effective and fully compliant. This includes leading the procurement and active management of accommodation, maintaining effective provider relationships and securing value for money.

The role will lead on contract management and performance monitoring of accommodation providers, ensuring clear standards are met, addressing underperformance and mitigating risk to the Council.

Reporting to the Head of Housing and Community, the post holder will lead a dedicated team within Housing and Community Services, ensuring delivery of high-quality, outcome-focused services that prioritise tenancy sustainment, minimise voids and reduce demand pressures.

Working in partnership across the Council and with external agencies, the post holder will support a coordinated approach to prevention, accommodation and move-on, ensuring services are efficient, responsive and customer-focused.

Principal Accountabilities

Service leadership and performance

1. Lead the operational delivery of the Accommodation Service, ensuring clear targets, milestones and performance measures are in place and achieved.
2. Monitor and manage team performance through regular reporting, using data and insight to drive continuous improvement and ensure delivery of key outcomes.
3. Manage day-to-day service activity, ensuring resources are effectively deployed to meet demand and deliver timely, outcome-focused interventions.

Temporary accommodation and placements

1. Lead the allocation and management of all temporary accommodation placements, including emergency and transfer activity, ensuring suitability and compliance with statutory duties.
2. Oversee the effective use and management of all TA provision, including Council-owned stock, minimising the use of Bed & Breakfast and reducing overall TA demand.
3. Ensure strong operational links with registered providers and partners to maximise access to suitable accommodation and support move-on pathways.
4. Oversee the delivery of the PRS element of the service including placement and the implementation of Renters Rights Act.

Cost control, procurement and value for money

1. Lead and quality assure case review activity, including high-cost and complex placements, to drive step-downs and reduce expenditure.
2. Oversee and support negotiation with accommodation providers to improve value for money and manage cost pressures.
3. Support the procurement and management of accommodation supply, ensuring a sufficient, sustainable and cost-effective portfolio.

Contract and provider management

1. Monitor provider performance and contract compliance, ensuring agreed standards and KPIs are met.
2. Take appropriate action to address underperformance, escalating significant risks or failures to the Housing Operations Manager where required.
3. Maintain effective working relationships with providers, promoting good practice and continuous improvement.

Quality, compliance and decision making

1. Ensure consistent, lawful and customer-focused decision making in line with homelessness legislation, guidance and Council policy.
2. Act as the escalation point for complex cases, provider issues and operational risks, resolving issues quickly and pragmatically.
3. Ensure all accommodation meets required health and safety, property and regulatory standards.

Partnership working and move-on

1. Work collaboratively with internal teams (including Housing Solutions, Finance and Safeguarding) to deliver coordinated and effective accommodation solutions.
2. Support the development of move-on pathways, referral arrangements and joint working protocols with partners and agencies.
3. Represent the service at inter-agency meetings, case conferences and working groups as required.

People management and service development

1. Lead, support and develop staff, including induction, training and ongoing performance management.
2. Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and service improvements, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and statutory requirements.
3. Support service planning and implementation of changes arising from new legislation or local priorities.

Governance and corporate responsibilities

1. Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, policies and procedures, including data protection, health and safety and financial regulations.
2. Deputise for the Housing Operations Manager as required.

Corporate Accountabilities

• To take responsibility for maintaining own health and attendance. 
• To support, contribute and comply with quality and governance procedures as directed by management.
• To apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all areas of employment and service delivery.
• To apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Safeguarding Procedure in all areas of employment and service delivery.
• Any other duties as required to support the business, including maintaining business continuity and during civil emergencies. All staff may on occasions be called upon to support the Council to deal with emergency situations affecting the community we serve. In the event of an emergency or a rehearsal for such an event, you may be required to attend at times and at locations outside of the normal hours and duties of the post and to adopt duties directed by the Chief Executive or their nominated representative for the duration of the emergency.
• Any other associated duties detailed by Head of Service or their representative.
• To advise Line manager if, at any time, the above duties and responsibilities cannot be performed.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

(Tested at application and interview stage)

Qualifications and knowledge

1. A relevant degree or equivalent qualification, or demonstrable experience at an appropriate level.
2. Knowledge of Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), including Sections 188 and 193 and the suitability of accommodation.
3. Knowledge of statutory requirements, standards and good practice relating to the provision and management of temporary accommodation.
4. Understanding of housing options, including the use of the Private Rented Sector and other accommodation pathways.
5. Understanding of performance monitoring and provider or contract management within a housing context.

Relevant experience

1. Proven experience of working within a housing or accommodation service, including temporary accommodation.
2. Experience of supervising or managing people and supporting delivery against performance targets.
3. Experience of monitoring and improving service performance in a customer-facing environment.
4. Experience of managing temporary accommodation placements, including demand pressures and suitability considerations.
5. Experience of working with external providers, landlords or partners to deliver accommodation solutions.
6. Experience of contributing to service development, improvement or implementation of new initiatives.

Skills

1. Ability to communicate effectively and negotiate with a range of stakeholders.
2. Ability to plan and manage workloads, prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
3. Ability to analyse information and make sound decisions in a timely manner.
4. Ability to monitor performance, manage resources and contribute to budget control.
5. Customer-focused approach with the ability to work in a non-judgemental and professional manner.
6. Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
7. Flexible approach to work with the ability to support colleagues and managers to achieve business objectives and other targets.

Competencies

We test this at interview stage

Communicating Effectively 

Demonstrate the effective use of the range of communication methods available: written, spoken, electronic, and use these methods in appropriate ways suitable to the context and situation

• Communicate with staff and colleagues in a manner which is clear, fluent, accurate and concise
• Listen well and seek clarification and understanding, avoiding jumping to conclusions or making assumptions
• Ensure two way communication is in place for staff, providing opportunities for staff to receive and give feedback
• Hold regular face-to-face, group and individual meetings to update staff and to exchange information, learning and ideas, etc.
• Ensure that all communications adhere to organisational and legislative requirements such as data protection, equalities, internal standards, etc.

Performing efficiently and effectively 

Promote good performance, developing clear, structured and efficient ways of managing workload and delivering results.  Staff should challenge themselves and others to perform well, and to adhere to the Council’s performance management systems

• Ensure that all work done by you and your staff is in line with business and service plans and supports the overall aims and ambitions of the Council
• Encourage staff and teams to focus on performance
• Provide opportunities for staff to contribute to planning and improvement of services
• Use a project management approach to the achievement of key objectives, targets and projects
• Encourage the use of learning and development as a means of improving service and people performance
• Understand the Council’s strategy, priorities, services and markets
• Understand the customer wants and needs and have plans to address these
• Understand the wider sector in which the Council operates, including the political, economic, commercial and regulatory factors affecting it
• Understand the Council’s unique selling point (USP) and use it to your advantage
• Take a commercial view and understand the cost/benefit principles of business planning
• Have an in-depth knowledge of current market trends and understand how to research and predict future changes
• Understand the tenets of a good partnership and work effectively with key stakeholders (internal and external)
• Work collaboratively to manage risk and maximise the benefits of opportunities

Using and managing resources efficiently and effectively 

Demonstrate the effective and efficient use of the full range of resources used in and by the Council including time, finances, staffing, equipment, information, materials, buildings, etc.

• Ensure the efficient use of staff time and skills, deploying staff effectively and monitoring staff related budgets
• Ensure the efficient use of accommodation, materials and equipment to maximise cost effectiveness and efficiencies, while maintaining standards of health and safety and risk management
• Ensure that systems of good housekeeping are in place for the management of equipment, accommodation, data etc. for yourself and your staff
• Update yourself regularly on resource issues including budget expenditure
• Ensure that procurement plans are in place for relevant activity

Engaging with the customer

Understand the needs and requirements of their customers, to provide excellent customer service, and to involve customers in the improvement of services

• Ensure that your staff work to customer service standards
• Seek out and listen to the needs and views of a wide range of customers
• Ensure that the design and development of services have been shaped by customer needs and expectations
• Ensure the delivery of services is mindful of the needs and requirements of the full range of customers and does not exclude any part of the customer base both internal and externally
• Ensure that regular customer feedback is sought, analysed and acted upon

Working well together

Actively foster good working relationships with colleagues and customers in order to collectively achieve the Council’s direction and ambition

• Co-operate and work well with team members, peers, senior managers and external partners in the pursuit of goals and objectives
• Establish and maintain constructive and open relationships across the range of people you work with, achieving positive outcomes and sharing feedback with others
• Establish a culture of team work and co-operation for your staff
• Encourage problem solving

Managing and Developing People

Effectively manage and develop staff in order to achieve the Council’s objectives, improve performance and job satisfaction, and to develop the workforce of the future

• Use a structured approach to agree clear objectives and monitor progress in a positive way
• Provide appropriate development inputs for all staff and evaluate outcomes of learning activity
• Make a personal commitment and contribution to employee development e.g. coaching/mentoring
• Take action to resolve performance issues speedily and effectively, and within policy guidelines
• Develop self-awareness of own management style and seek to develop flexibility in order to be able to work effectively with a range of work styles
• Create a culture of empowerment in which staff can excel, develop and take ownership of their work and responsibilities

Other conditions

• This post doesn't require a DBS check 
• This post isn't politically restricted
• Be prepared to work outside office hours and weekends if required.

Job profile updated
June 2026

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Our organisation thrives on the dedication and passion of its people and it’s important that we embody these values and behaviours and they become a part of our organisational DNA.

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Our core values