Assessment and allocations officer jobs in Bristol
We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Housing to lead our supported housing services nationally and help shape the next stage of our growth.
As Director of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all of Life’s supported housing services. This is a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring our housing provision is high‑quality, compliant, safe and truly centred around the needs of our clients.
You will lead our national Housing Strategy, drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, support organisational growth, and champion a culture of compassion, accountability and high performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Develop and deliver a national Housing Strategy aligned to Life’s vision and mission.
- Identify housing development and expansion opportunities, including partnerships with local authorities and commissioners.
- Support organisational business planning and future growth.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with housing legislation and regulatory requirements including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, HHSRS, safeguarding and Health & Safety.
- Lead regulatory audits, inspections and risk management.
- Provide assurance on compliance and viability to the CEO and Trustees.
Service Quality & Client Experience
- Embed a client-centred, compassionate approach aligned with Housing Ombudsman principles.
- Oversee effective complaints management, learning reviews and client feedback systems.
- Ensure properties and services meet high standards of safety, warmth and comfort.
Operational Leadership
- Lead housing management, income recovery, voids, repairs and maintenance, compliance and tenancy sustainment.
- Ensure effective escalation of tenancy breaches and safeguarding practices.
- Work closely with Life’s Helpline services around referral and allocations.
Financial & Asset Management
- Oversee rental income, arrears, void control and financial performance.
- Manage contracts, grants and local authority funding.
- Ensure major works, planned maintenance and statutory compliance are delivered effectively.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and support Housing Managers, support teams and frontline workers.
- Foster a positive culture of accountability, inclusion and high standards.
- Support staff development and performance.
Partnership Management
- Build strong relationships with local authorities, property professionals, contractors, funders and other key partners.
- Represent Life at external forums and sector networks.
About you:
Essential
- CIH Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification
- Senior leadership experience in supported housing, social housing, or homelessness services
- Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and regulatory compliance
- Understanding of Housing Ombudsman standards and consumer regulations
- Experience in strategic planning, service development and organisational growth
- Budget management and financial performance experience
- Experience with property maintenance, asset management and compliance
- Strong safeguarding knowledge
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
- UK driving licence and access to a car
Desirable
- Experience supporting vulnerable women or family services
- Charity/third sector leadership experience
- Experience securing funding or development partnerships
About Life:
Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.
Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values :
All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:
- Humanity – All people are special and equal
- Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
- Community – We’re better together
- Charity – Doing good for one another
- Common good – Building a better world
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Salary: £45,750 per annum
Hours: 32 hours per week
Location: Home based with extensive travel across the South of England
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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About We Care Home Improvements (WECHI)
WE Care Home Improvements (WECHI) is a well-established home improvement agency dedicated to helping older, disabled and vulnerable people live safely, independently and with dignity in their own homes. Working across Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) and Gloucestershire, we deliver vital minor adaptations, ramp installations and handy person services funded by commissioners as well as self-funded customers.
We are now seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Handy Person Operations to lead our Customer Service and Maintenance Technician teams. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a pivotal leadership role with overall accountability for service delivery, operational performance and growth across our Handy Person contracts. You will ensure seamless coordination between frontline support and technicians on the ground, shaping an outstanding customer experience from first contact to job completion.
Abou the role
What you'll do
- Lead and manage the Customer Service Team (including the Deputy) and Maintenance Technician Team, ensuring high performance and collaboration.
- Oversee the effective delivery of minor adaptation services across Bristol and B&NES, and the ramp service in Gloucestershire, meeting commissioner requirements and service standards.
- Manage end-to-end workflow between customer service and technicians, ensuring timely scheduling and efficient job completion.
- Take ownership of service performance, financial targets (cost, income, volume) and budget management, monitoring and explaining variances.
- Drive continuous improvement, resolving operational and health & safety challenges alongside the Head of Service Delivery and Senior Technical Officer.
- Oversee risk assessments, method statements and staff training to ensure safe, compliant working practices.
- Own and manage key operational systems (including EPIX), phone system settings, stock control, fleet compliance (DVLA checks, insurance, MOTs) and supplier relationships.
- Lead pricing reviews and ensure best value from suppliers and partners.
- Manage complaints from start to resolution, ensuring a positive customer outcome.
- Represent WECHI at commissioner meetings and stakeholder events, maintaining strong relationships with partners including housing associations and commissioners.
- Lead data collection, ED&I reporting and performance analysis to inform business planning and growth.
- Identify and develop new Handy Person service opportunities, supporting regional growth and innovation.
Who we're looking for
- An experienced operational leader with a track record of managing service delivery teams.
- Strong financial and commercial awareness, with experience managing budgets and performance targets.
- A confident communicator who can build effective partnerships with commissioners, stakeholders and suppliers.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple operational priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
- A collaborative leader who motivates and supports teams to deliver high-quality, person-centred services.
- Committed to health & safety, compliance and continuous improvement.
- Passionate about delivering services that promote independence, wellbeing and dignity.
Why join us?
- Make a tangible difference in the lives of older and vulnerable people across our region.
- Be part of a collaborative, supportive and flexible work environment where your leadership truly matters.
- Help shape and grow an essential community service with real impact.
- Receive a competitive salary (£37,000 – £40,000 depending on skills and experience) plus generous benefits and development opportunities.
- Work directly with senior leadership, influencing strategy and service innovation.
Additional information
- To download the full Job Description and Person Specification: Head of Handy Person Operation JD_2025.pdf
- To apply, please submit your CV and a supportive statement (not more than two pages) telling us why you are the right person for this role.
- Application deadline: Sunday 15 March 2026 (11:30pm)
- Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if sufficient suitable applications are received. Shortlisting will take place on a rolling basis, and early applications are strongly encouraged.
- Interviews: Week commencing 16 March (mid-end week) and beginning of week commencing 23 March.
Disclaimer: We Care Home Improvements is unable to offer sponsorship or take over the sponsorship of employment visas at this time. All applicants must have the permanent right to work in the UK without restriction.
