Key Documents

About the role

This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to lead one of the Council’s most important and evolving agendas.

Reporting to the Director of Economy & Place, the Assistant Director of Housing will provide strategic leadership across housing growth, homelessness, temporary accommodation, strategic housing partnerships and wider housing services. Alongside leading a broad operational portfolio, this role will play a pivotal part in shaping Rochdale’s future approach to housing delivery and place-making.

What makes this role particularly exciting is the opportunity to help lead something new.

Rochdale Borough Council is increasingly ambitious about developing and delivering its own homes, with a clear desire to play a more direct role in housing delivery across the borough. The Council sees housing not just as a service, but as a catalyst for regeneration, inclusive growth and stronger communities. This role will sit at the centre of that ambition.

Working closely with Homes England, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Registered Providers, developers and regeneration partners, you will help shape and deliver a pipeline of new housing opportunities and support the council in establishing its long-term approach to council-led housing development. There is real opportunity here to influence strategy, shape delivery models and help create a lasting legacy across the borough.

Alongside growth and development, you will oversee highly visible housing services that directly impact residents and communities, including homelessness prevention, temporary accommodation and wider strategic housing functions. The role therefore requires someone who can balance strategic ambition with operational grip, ensuring services remain resident-focused, financially sustainable and responsive to increasing demand and regulatory expectations.

This is a significant leadership role within the wider Economy & Place Directorate and an opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact at a pivotal moment for Rochdale.

About You

We are looking for an experienced, collaborative and politically aware housing leader who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational understanding and visible leadership.

You will bring senior-level experience across housing, growth, regeneration or development within a complex organisation, alongside a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges currently facing the housing sector.

Most importantly, you will be excited by the opportunity to help shape something new. Rochdale is looking for someone who can bring energy, ambition and credibility to the role, someone who can help drive forward the council’s housing ambitions, build strong partnerships and create confidence around delivery.

You will be comfortable operating within a fast-moving environment, able to work confidently across political and organisational boundaries and capable of leading through complexity and change. Experience of housing growth, development or strategic housing delivery will be particularly valuable, as will strong partnership skills, commercial awareness and the ability to inspire high-performing teams.

This is a rare opportunity to join Rochdale at a pivotal moment and play a leading role in shaping the future of housing across the borough.

We are looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our fantastic council. For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact our recruitment partners at Tile Hill:

Maud Hollis (07444 696659) maud.hollis@tile-hill.co.uk or Clare Connor (0161 408 0703) clare.connor@tile-hill.co.uk.

Further Reading