Operations Director – Social & Affordable Housing

Operations Director – Social & Affordable Housing

Location: Midlands / Northwest (with regional travel)

Salary: Competitive Executive Package + Benefits

Our client is part of the wider group and is a fast‑growing developer and contractor delivering high‑quality social, affordable and mixed‑tenure housing across the UK. With a strong pipeline of new-build schemes, regeneration projects and strategic partnerships, our client is now seeking a proven Operations Director to lead delivery, strengthen operational performance, and support the next phase of growth.

Our client is the dedicated social and affordable housing arm of the group, focused on delivering high‑quality, energy‑efficient homes that meet the needs of local authorities, registered providers and communities across the UK. The business has built a strong reputation for regenerating brownfield land, unlocking complex sites and delivering mixed‑tenure schemes that blend commercial viability with genuine social value.

With the backing of a well‑capitalised parent group and a pipeline of multi‑site developments, Our client combines the agility of a specialist contractor with the governance, capability and ambition of a major developer, positioning it as a key delivery partner in the region’s housing landscape.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role for an individual who understands the complexities of social housing delivery, can drive operational excellence, and can build trusted relationships with local authorities, registered providers, funders and supply chain partners.

You’ll take full accountability for programme delivery, construction operations, commercial performance, compliance, quality, and customer outcomes across multiple live schemes. Working closely with the Managing Director and Group Board, you’ll shape operational strategy, embed best practice, and ensure the business continues to deliver safe, compliant, sustainable homes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end operational delivery of social and affordable housing schemes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget and to specification.
• Oversee construction, technical, commercial and customer functions, ensuring alignment and accountability across all teams.
• Strengthen operational governance, compliance and risk management in line with building safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with RPs, local authorities, JV partners, consultants and supply chain.
• Drive continuous improvement across programme management, reporting, procurement and supply chain performance.
• Lead, mentor and develop operational teams, creating a high‑performance culture with clear expectations and measurable outcomes.
• Support strategic planning, pipeline development and bid activity, ensuring operational input is robust and commercially sound.
• Champion health & safety, sustainability, MMC adoption and customer experience across all schemes.

About You

• Senior operational leader with a strong track record in social/affordable housing, residential development or mixed‑tenure delivery.
• Experience operating at Head of Operations / Operations Director / Construction Director level within a developer or contractor.
• Deep understanding of RP frameworks, compliance standards, building safety legislation, and affordable housing delivery models.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance programme, cost, risk and quality.
• Proven ability to lead multi‑disciplinary teams and manage multiple schemes simultaneously.
• Collaborative, credible and relationship‑led, with the ability to influence at board level and across partner organisations.
• Passionate about delivering high‑quality homes and improving outcomes for communities.

For more information, Please feel free to forward your up to date CV to cv@smartcityrecruiters.com