Head of Housing Strategy, Insight

Head of Housing Strategy, Insight and Performance We’re looking for a strategic, inclusive and forward-thinking leader to join Southampton City Council as Housing’s Head of Strategy, Insight and Performance (SIP). This is a new and influential role, central to building the systems, insight and collaboration that will help Housing deliver better outcomes for residents across the city About the team The SIP function is new and central to Housing’s operating model, which is based on a commissioning approach. Its purpose is to make Housing work as a coherent system - where we understand and prioritise demand, make best use of supply, and ensure every part of the service contributes to better outcomes for tenants and residents. SIP provides the backbone for how Housing plans, learns and improves. It brings together strategy, evidence, assurance and change into one coherent framework that supports purposeful decision-making and system-wide accountability. The function helps to align commissioning and delivery - ensuring that demand is clearly understood, resources are targeted effectively, and the supply chain, both internal and external, is used to best effect. SIP also helps Housing connect more effectively with the wider Council and partners, aligning priorities and insights across finance, customer services, regeneration, and asset strategy, as well as with external agencies and communities. This is not a traditional command role. Success depends on working through influence, trust and collaboration - aligning people and systems around shared goals and building the culture and capability needed for sustainable improvement. About the role In August 2024, the Regulator for Social Housing identified serious failings in how we met the consumer standards. We are using that judgement as a catalyst for long-term improvement - building a housing system that is self-aware, accountable and continually learning, so residents experience lasting improvements in their homes and neighbourhoods. As Head of SIP, you’ll be a key member of the Housing Directorate Senior Leadership Team, leading a small but critical function covering strategy, policy, performance and assurance, change and improvement, and organisational capability. You’ll ensure Housing makes the best use of its resources to deliver the greatest possible impact for residents - connecting priorities, investment and outcomes across services. You’ll work with finance colleagues to plan, monitor and evaluate how budgets are used across the whole Housing system, helping ensure that every pound contributes to safer homes, better services and long-term sustainability. You’ll align priorities and plans across the directorate, ensuring strategy and delivery are joined up and that our performance framework links purpose, critical success factors, measures and learning. You’ll equip managers and teams with the insight, structures and tools to improve performance and manage risk. You’ll also help shape the future of Housing in Southampton - using data, evidence and engagement to inform decisions, guide investment and focus effort where it makes the most difference. You’ll lead through the Housing Drumbeat, ensuring governance drives learning and improvement rather than compliance alone. Success will depend on working with others - across Housing, the wider Council and partner organisations - to deliver impact that matters for residents. Together with the other Heads of Service, you’ll help make Housing work as one coherent, learning system that connects commissioning with delivery. You’ll lead teams to keep daily performance on track while driving deeper change - co-designing better ways of working, digital tools, integrated structures and a learning culture that supports the long-term realisation of Southampton’s Housing strategy and wider city vision. Everything you do will contribute to Southampton’s vision to be a city of opportunity where everyone thrives through more equal, healthier, safer, growing and greener communities. Key responsibilities include: Embed and improve the culture and practice within all Housing functions as set out in the Target Operating Model. Agree the strategic direction, roadmap of change, shared goals and priorities for Housing and budget (operating and capital) - based on horizon scanning, SCC Corporate Plan, Housing Strategy, Asset Strategy, the Change Story and priority of customer needs Embed structure of the performance framework (linking purpose, critical success factors, kpis’ and commentary on unintended consequences) within Housing functions You will build relationships and collaborate with leaders across the Council, other public sector bodies and tenants to scan the horizon, agree priorities and mutual strategy. For further information about this role please view the job description. About you: We’re looking for an experienced and inspiring leader to shape and deliver modern, efficient services that meet the needs of our tenants and communities. You will need: A Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) qualification Level 5 or above, or equivalent demonstrable knowledge and experience Degree-level education and/or management/leadership qualification, or equivalent senior leadership experience Experience of large-scale strategy and transformation, joining up and driving improvements across services at senior level Strong skills in strategic planning & performance improvement, and an ability to design and embed performance frameworks The ability to lead diverse teams, influence key stakeholders, and drive innovation. Join us in delivering essential services and building a sustainable Southampton for all. For further information about this role, please view the job description. What we can offer you: Salary: The salary band for this role is £83,643 -  £91,823. The starting salary is £83,643 with annual progression through the salary bands.   Here at SCC, we offer a range of different perks and benefits; a few examples can be found below. Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution) Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service Flexible working options (role-dependent) Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents Training and development, including coaching and mentoring Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer For further information on our benefits package, please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk) If you feel you have the necessary background, experience, and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.