Assistant Director of Responsive Repairs
Why Southwark?
Southwark is one of London’s most brilliantly diverse and economically varied boroughs, a place where different cultures and communities thrive together. We are committed to building a greener, fairer, and safer Southwark for all our residents, and we are seeking exceptional individuals to help drive this vision forward. The Assistant Director of Responsive Repairs plays a pivotal role in this mission, delivering high-quality repairs services that meet the needs of our vibrant community.
What You'll Be Doing
As the Assistant Director of Responsive Repairs you will be responsible for the successful management of Southwark’s housing repairs services, ensuring that safety standards are maintained and compliance is achieved with key statutory obligations, including the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, Fire Safety Act, and Building Safety Act. This is a role of significant responsibility, focusing on upholding health and safety regulations while delivering efficient and effective repairs across the borough’s diverse housing stock.
You will lead the strategic direction of the service, collaborating with teams across the council and key external partners to ensure Southwark’s housing portfolio is well-maintained and secure. As part of your role, you will advise senior leadership on high-level and complex repairs matters, driving service improvements and ensuring residents receive a timely, responsive service.
You will oversee an annual budget of £50 million, identifying technological innovations to enhance service delivery, and embedding a work culture that prioritises health and safety, equality, and sustainability. Ultimately, this position is about shaping a resident-focused service that aligns with Southwark’s values, contributing to the wellbeing and safety of our communities.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for an experienced professional, dynamic, highly skilled, motivated and collaborative leader, with a comprehensive understanding of key legislation, particularly around building safety, and a strong grasp of the financial and operational challenges facing local authorities.
Your extensive experience in strategic planning, service development, and implementing large-scale improvement programmes will be crucial. You will need to demonstrate a proven track record of success within complex political environments, with the ability to influence and engage key stakeholders effectively. This means you will need to hold full membership with either the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
You will need to be a good communicator who can connect with Southwark’s diverse communities, address residents' needs, and lead a service that drives positive outcomes for everyone.
If you are passionate about making a tangible difference in a borough as diverse and dynamic as Southwark, and if you have the skills to lead innovation, sustainability, and resident-focused service delivery, we would love to hear from you.
How to apply
Please submit:
- Your CV, and
- Respond to the four-application questions outlining how you meet the requirements of the role.
Useful Documentation
Additional Information
Salary range:
£101,688 – £127,605 per annum, plus a £3,503 per annum JNC payment, available either as cash or as part of a flexible benefits package.
Benefits
Working for Southwark Council – Southwark
Recruitment timeline
Closing date: Sunday 1st March 2026
Technical assessment: Wednesday 11th or Thursday 12th March 2026
Stakeholder Panel: Thursday 19th March 2026
Final Interview: Wednesday 25th March 2026
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.
Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
#LI-AS1
Attachments
Salary range
- £101,688 - £127,605 per year