The posting
Job Description
ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by Sunday, 29 November 2026 at 11.55pm.
Please do not submit a CV, they do not form part of our application process and will be disregarded.
Current SLC employees should apply through OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE; all other candidates should use the application apply link.
Location: Council Headquarters, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA Hours: 35 per week Work Pattern: Monday - Friday Salary: £120,042 - £124,823
Are you an inspirational leader with the vision, credibility and drive to shape services that will make a lasting difference to communities within South Lanarkshire?
As one of Scotland’s largest and most ambitious local authorities, South Lanarkshire Council is looking for an exceptional Head of Service to lead our Housing Service and play a key role within Housing & Technical Resources and contributing to the Corporate Management Team.
This is a significant leadership role, with responsibility for Housing Services - including more than 26,000 council homes, housing options, homelessness and housing support services including a broad portfolio of temporary accommodation and commissioned services, delivery of refugee resettlement, significant housing investment programmes, housing management functions including income collection and being a lead partner in community safety, effectively delivering the council’s Joint Problem Solving Unit.
Suitable candidates will bring a strong public service ethos, sound political awareness and a clear focus on meeting the needs of tenants, residents and service users. You will work constructively with elected members, employees, partners and communities to deliver responsive, high-quality services in a challenging environment shaped by evolving legislative, regulatory and financial demands.
You will provide clear strategic direction, lead complex services through change, and work closely with stakeholders to deliver robust, high-quality and sustainable services which are aligned to the Council’s vision and values.
If you are looking for your next challenge and possess the skills and experience below, we would welcome your application:
- Strategic leadership experience within a large, complex public sector organisation,
- Strong strategic and operational management skills focusing on continuous improvement,
- Substantial track record of delivering strategic programmes across a large and complex organisation,
- Passionate about public service and improving the lives and prospects of everyone in South Lanarkshire.
- Credibility, integrity and political awareness
- Inspire, influence and coach others through periods of change and uncertainty.
- Educated to degree standard and/or professional qualification or equivalent relevant experience
View the Head of Housing Services job profile
View the Head of Housing Services recruitment pack
Please answer the following questions as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents:
- The Head of Housing Services leads a broad portfolio of strategic, operational and customer-facing services. Please outline your experience of leading multi-functional teams at a senior management or Head of Service level across multiple service areas, including the leadership approach, skills and experience you used to achieve impact.
- Housing Services must be delivered effectively across strategic, operational, financial and regulatory requirements, whilst being impacted by changing policy and legislation and in the midst of a national housing emergency. Please describe your role and level of responsibility in leading service delivery, improving performance and maintaining recognised standards within a challenging financial environment.
- Please describe a significant transformation or improvement programme you have led, including the key deliverables, your personal contribution, stakeholder engagement and how the outcome supported strategic objectives and improved services for communities, tenants or service users.
All correspondence will be via the email address on your application
Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.
Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.
Legislative Information
This post has been politically restricted in terms of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990.
This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Scotland Act 2020.
This post is considered a Regulated Role with Children and/or Adults, in respect of the Disclosure Scotland Act 2020. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and/or Adults.
Preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to a formal offer of employment being made.
Please refer to http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk for further information about the disclosure process and best practice.
Overseas Criminal Records Check
An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of 12 months in the past 10 years.
Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.
Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement
The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position.
As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile
As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:
- Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
- To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
- Up to 33 days annual leave
- Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
- Occupational sick pay
- Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
- Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
- Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)
