Do you believe everyone deserves a safe, secure, and good-quality home? Are you an experienced housing or environmental health professional ready to lead, influence, and shape the future of the private rented sector?

This is a rare opportunity to join Canterbury City Council in a leadership role at a time of major national reform, including implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act. As Lead Private Sector Housing Manager, you will provide authoritative professional leadership across a complex statutory service, combining deep technical expertise with strategic vision. You will set direction, assure compliance, and drive service improvement, leading a multidisciplinary team, managing significant budgets, and acting as the Council’s expert adviser on housing regulation, enforcement, and policy.

You will be an experienced leader with robust technical expertise and a commitment to improving housing outcomes. Your background should include a degree or relevant professional qualification in housing, environmental health, surveying, or a related field, alongside extensive management experience in local authority housing or regulatory services. You will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of housing legislation, enforcement, and contractor management. Exceptional leadership, communication, and financial management skills will enable you to guide multidisciplinary teams and influence strategic direction within the private rented sector.

What’s in it for you?

Competitive salary from £59,560.57
Annual cost-of-living pay award
Flexible, hybrid working arrangements
Generous annual leave starting at 23 days plus 3 additional days over Christmas, with the option to buy more
Local government pension scheme
Training, leadership development and professional support
Employee discount and wellbeing benefits
Free use of Canterbury’s Park & Ride

About this Lead Private Sector Housing Manager Job in Canterbury

This role provides strategic and operational leadership for Private Sector Housing within Locality Services, reporting to the Head of Locality Services. You will guide the team through legislative changes—such as the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act—by developing policies and ensuring compliance. Key responsibilities include setting long-term objectives and monitoring service performance. A major focus is on building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, government bodies, and the wider community, representing Canterbury City Council at relevant meetings to advance housing standards and strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities include

Leadership of the Private Sector Housing Team
Delivery of statutory housing functions
Leading implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act
Delivery of stock condition survey programmes
Oversight of Disabled Facilities Grants and adaptations within our own housing stock
Management of the Social Letting Agency
Partnership working and representation at officer, member and public meetings

Working pattern

Full-time, 37 hours per week
Flexible, hybrid working arrangements
A full week off over Christmas in addition to your annual leave allowance

About you, the ideal Lead Private Sector Housing Manager for our team:

Your qualifications:

Degree or professional qualification in Environmental Health, Housing, Surveying or a related field
Leadership or management training

Your knowledge:

Demonstrable knowledge of Renter Right Act 2025, Housing Act 2004, Housing & Planning Act 2016, HHSRS and related statutory frameworks.
Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the scope and role of regulatory codes of practice, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
Extensive knowledge on construction, building engineering services, materials and common property defects.
Extensive understanding of contract and procurement processes relevant to DFG and works in default.

Due to the nature of this role, the successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as part of their pre-employment clearances.

Interviews will be held on 22nd May 2026.

So, if this Lead Private Sector Housing Manager job opportunity in Canterbury, Kent, looks right for you, please apply today! Simply click the “Apply Online” button and create your account to begin your application form.

For more information about this role at Canterbury City Council, please contact Lora McCourt, Head of Locality Services by email to lora.mccourt@canterbury.gov.uk who would very much welcome the opportunity to speak with you as a potential candidate.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at Canterbury City Council

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in everything we do. We provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is valued, included and respected.

Our diversity strengthens our ability to serve the diverse communities we support through our work.

To demonstrate this through our actions, all applications are anonymised for the shortlisting panel, allowing all applicants to be assessed on merit alone.

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