Godalming - Surrey, Surrey Do you want to lead an experienced, successful and enthusiastic team? Are you looking for a role with variety, where you can be relied on for your expertise and experience? Do you have detailed knowledge of homelessness legislation and housing need? Do you have experience in leading a team that provides options advice to prevent and relieve homelessness alongside managing a housing register? We are looking for a highly motivated team player to lead our Housing Options Team following growth of the team to respond to increasing demand. The Team prevents and relieves homelessness under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 as well as managing the Council’s Housing Register. Reporting to the Housing Needs Manager you will manage the team’s assessments of homeless applications to determine what statutory duties are owed to customers. You will then guide the team as needed to ensure the effective and lawful discharge of the Council’s homelessness duties, whilst minimizing the number of households in emergency accommodation. Alongside this, you will be responsible for the accurate and timely process of housing register application in line with the Council’s Allocations scheme. You will have a small caseload of complex clients, and will also participate in the team’s duty rota. The role requires excellent management, leadership and communication skills together with strong technical knowledge, initiative and the ability to think outside the box. Your experience of working in front line homelessness services will help you to remain calm under pressure and to enable the team to continue to deliver the highest levels of customer service. You will have a good understanding of the Housing Act Part VI and VII (as amended), the Renters Reform Act, and the recently launched National Plan to End Homeless. You will also have excellent people skills, backed up by great IT skills and the ability to keep run reports, keep accurate records and meet deadlines. Waverley is an ambitious, dynamic, and innovative local authority, proud of being one of the highest performing Councils in the country. Key to our success is our commitment to team working and ongoing development of our high performing, highly engaged workforce, who all share in the delivery of the organisation’s values and corporate objectives. Waverley is a beautiful place, consistently rated as one of the best places in the Country to live and to work. The borough is within easy reach of London and the south coast. Waverley takes a robust approach to thoroughly checking anyone who wants to work with children or vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure at the Enhanced level from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further information can be obtained from www.disclosure.gov.uk. The role will be a mixture of Office and Home Working (Hybrid) following successful completion of a probationary period. The successful applicant will have a valid driving licence and a vehicle available for work purposes. For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Elizabeth Donaldson, Housing Needs Manager, on 01483 523452. Closing date for applications: 9:00am on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 Interview date: – Tuesday 28th April 2026. There will be a 30 minute paper-based exercise prior to each interview We do not accept CVs without a completed application form. Strictly no agencies please. In return for your valued contribution, we can offer you a competitive benefits package which includes hybrid working and agile working policies, training and development opportunities, generous annual leave and flexi time, free onsite parking, an employee assistance scheme and membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme. You can find out more about working at Waverley and our benefits by visiting - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving or ex-members of the armed forces and their partners. We offer an interview scheme for serving and ex-military forces members when they meet the essential criteria for the role. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here Please note we do not accept applications after the stated closing time and right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process.