Interim Operations Manager - Homeless Prevention & Housing Allocations

Initial 6‑month contract - immediate start
£550 - £650 per day
Inside IR35
South London Local Authority
Hybrid working - 3 days per week on site

You will step into a pivotal leadership role overseeing Homeless Prevention, Housing Options, Housing Allocations, and Temporary Accommodation functions at a high‑demand South London authority. This position requires a decisive operational leader capable of stabilising services, improving statutory compliance, strengthening casework quality and driving performance across fast‑moving frontline teams.

If you thrive in complex Housing Needs environments and bring the credibility to influence senior stakeholders while improving day‑to‑day delivery, this is a role to move quickly on.

Your Role as Interim Operations Manager
Leading and developing Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, Allocations and Registration teams, ensuring high‑quality, timely statutory decision‑making
Overseeing Housing Register, CBL/allocations processes, and ensuring decisions comply with Part VI & VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Driving improvements in casework quality, decision accuracy, review responses, customer care and data integrity
Managing Temporary Accommodation pathways, move‑on performance, and delivering better utilisation and cost control
Embedding strong operational governance, QA frameworks, rota cover, and performance reporting
Leading complex casework including S202 reviews, Ombudsman responses, Member/MP enquiries and JR‑sensitive cases
Ensuring robust partnership working with Adults, Children's Services, Legal, Finance, Community Safety, RP partners and the voluntary sector
Supporting delivery of wider strategic improvements, including policy updates, audits, service redesign and compliance with national guidance
Holding staff to account through effective performance management, coaching and operational leadershipYour Experience as Interim Operations Manager
Senior leadership experience across Homeless Prevention, Housing Options, Allocations and/or Temporary Accommodation
Strong working knowledge of Housing Act 1996 Parts VI & VII, HRA 2017, case law and statutory homelessness guidance
Demonstrable experience managing multi‑disciplinary Housing Needs teams in a high‑pressure local authority setting
Proven ability to improve service performance, streamline workflows and drive operational stability
Experience handling complex statutory decision‑making, complaints, reviews and litigation‑sensitive matters
Clear, confident communication skills with the ability to influence senior officers and elected members
Track record of delivering services at pace, resolving operational challenges and embedding a resident‑centred culture
If you're interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who may be suitable, please contact George on (phone number removed) / (url removed) or apply today.

(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation, so please do get in touch.)

Our clients are committed to building an inclusive workforce and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Recruiting decisions are based solely on experience and capability. Any reasonable adjustments required during the application or interview process will be fully supported