Head of Allocation & Accommodation (Full Time)

Newstartmag; Sutton; On-site; GBP 77,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Sutton is looking for a Head of Allocation & Accommodation to lead housing allocations and transform temporary accommodation services. In this pivotal role, you will manage statutory duties and oversee multi-disciplinary teams while driving innovation in procurement. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in homelessness law and a track record of service transformation. Join us to make a significant impact in the community with a focus on delivering safe and affordable homes.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in allocations of accommodation and homelessness law.
• A track record of leading service transformation.
• Confidence managing complex budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead housing allocations and temporary accommodation services.
• Manage statutory duties under relevant housing acts.
• Drive innovation in procurement and service delivery.

Skills

Expertise in allocations of accommodation

Income collection

Knowledge of homelessness law

Service transformation

Collaboration skills

Data-driven decision-making

Political astuteness

Job description

Jobs

Head of Allocation & Accommodation

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Salary

£77,550 - £97,103

Expires

01/02/2026

Company

London Borough of Sutton

Location

Sutton, London

Job Type

Full Time

Sutton is a borough defined by ambition, community and change.

We are proud of our strong local identity, vibrant neighbourhoods and commitment to delivering services that make a real difference. Sutton is one of London’s greenest and safest boroughs, with excellent schools, thriving businesses and a strong sense of community. It is a place where people want to live, work and invest, and where we are determined to ensure everyone has access to a safe, secure and affordable home.

Housing is central to that mission and we are now looking for four senior leaders to help us stabilise, modernise and transform. We have come through a major transition and are embedding the Sutton culture across teams who have previously worked under a different operating model. Our priorities are clear: providing safe, secure and affordable homes; reducing the use of temporary accommodation; strengthening systems and compliance; and working in partnership with Sutton Housing Partnership and other stakeholders to put residents first. If you want to lead change with purpose and pace, this is your moment.

This is a role with real scale, complexity and opportunity. You will lead housing allocations and temporary accommodation services at a time of acute demand, with over 1,100 households in TA and significant nightly-paid usage. You’ll manage statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, oversee multi-disciplinary teams and budgets, and drive innovation in procurement and service delivery.

You’ll play a pivotal role in reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation, strengthening compliance and performance, and leading the Housing Allocation Scheme. You’ll work across the Council with Sutton Housing Partnership, Regulatory Services, Adults’ Social Care, Children’s Services, and the voluntary & faith sectors and community, to create sustainable move on pathways and improve outcomes for families. This is a chance to lead transformation in one of the most pressured areas of housing.

We are proud of the progress we’ve made, but we know there is more to do. Internal audits have highlighted areas for improvement, and we are committed to learning and delivering best practice. This role is central to that journey. We need a leader who can combine operational grip with strategic vision, and who can inspire a team that is ready for change.

About you

You’ll bring deep expertise in allocations of accommodation, Income collection, TA and homelessness law, and a track record of leading service transformation. You’ll be collaborative, data-driven and confident managing complex budgets. You’ll also be politically astute and comfortable working across systems and partners. Above all, you’ll be a visible leader who delivers results and builds trust.

We’re ambitious for our residents and for our services. We have a clear mandate for change, strong partnerships and leadership that backs delivery. If you share that ambition and if you’re ready to lead one of London’s most important housing transformations, we’d love to hear from you.

For further details, please contact our retained partners at GatenbySanderson:

[e-mail] [e-mail]

Closing date: Sunday 1st February

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.

Apply for Head of Allocation & Accommodation

This role expires 01/02/2026. Apply Now