Private Sector Housing Manager
| Posting date: | 05 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £46,843 to £52,618 per year |
| Additional salary information: | + additional Market Force supplement |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 February 2026 |
| Location: | Colchester, Essex |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Colchester City Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | COLREQ01585 |
Summary
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
The Role
You will lead one of the strongest Private Sector Housing teams in the region: a capable, committed group with technical depth, professional pride, and the right culture. You will have real scope to shape future direction, influence policy, and lead meaningful change across a growing city.
You will play a central role in Colchester’s response to the Renters Rights Act by not only overseeing delivery and assurance, but by embedding new practice and strengthening long‑term standards. Your professional judgement will be trusted, your expertise valued, and your leadership visible across the organisation.
This is a role with real long‑term potential: the chance to shape a strategic service, build your leadership profile, and have a lasting impact on housing quality across Colchester.
What You’re Stepping Into
This is not a role where you inherit chaos. This is a role where you inherit existing momentum. You will lead:
A team with solid foundations, strong technical skills, and the right mindset.
A service with clear direction, confident leadership, and full organisational backing.
A forward‑thinking authority that values strong, people‑centred leadership.
A culture that values solution‑seeking, calm professionalism, and collaborative problem‑solving.
A Head of Service who coaches, supports autonomy, sets high standards, and removes barriers.
A portfolio where major legislative change has been prepared for, so your focus will be delivery, assurance, and strengthening practice — not crisis management.
Senior‑level visibility, working with partners including Legal, NHS colleagues, regional networks, landlords, Members, and cross‑council leadership forums.
Your Leadership and Impact
As Private Sector Housing Manager, you will:
Lead, develop, and motivate an experienced, highly capable team.
Act as the Council’s technical expert for PSH policy, quality, and enforcement.
Oversee delivery and ongoing assurance of the Renters Rights Act and shape the city’s long‑term approach to it.
Direct proportionate, evidence‑based enforcement, including HMO licensing, civil penalties, and complex statutory interventions using the full range of Housing Act powers where appropriate.
Strengthen safeguarding and vulnerability pathways with partners.
Build strong internal and external relationships across Public Protection, Legal, NHS partners, landlords, and regional networks.
Represent Colchester at senior internal and external forums.
Shape improvement, innovation, and service consistency, contributing to wider Public Protection objectives.
Your work will directly improve health, safety, and housing conditions across a rapidly growing city.
Who Succeeds Here
We are looking for an emotionally intelligent, confident leader who brings:
A recognised Environmental Health qualification.
Substantial experience in private sector housing enforcement.
The ability to lead calmly and decisively, especially in complex situations.
Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
A solutions‑focused mindset and a balanced approach to enforcement.
Experience managing teams, budgets, and regulatory programmes.
A desire to shape service direction and contribute to long‑term improvement.
Above all, you will be someone who sets high standards, builds trust, and leads with purpose.
Why Choose Colchester
This is a council that invests in its people. Your wellbeing, growth, and professional autonomy matter to us. You will benefit from:
Financial & Reward
Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
Additional Market Forces Supplement
Tax‑efficient salary sacrifice e‑car loan scheme
Bicycle loan and Cycle to Work schemes
Stream financial wellbeing platform
Additional wellbeing support through Stream
Mileage and subsistence allowances
Retail and lifestyle discounts (Vine Extras)
Extensive online retail discounts through approved platforms
Leave & Flexibility
Up to 26 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays and 2 extra statutory days
Option to purchase additional leave
Comprehensive flexible working scheme
Relocation support for eligible new starters
Wellbeing & Support
Employee Assistance Programme
Wellbeing in the Workplace initiatives supported by trained Wellbeing Champions
Discounted healthcare options
Travel Plan discounts and sustainable commuting incentives
Lifestyle & Leisure
Free use of Council gym or pools
Discounted fitness memberships
Access to Colchester Leisure facilities, including Aqua Springs spa and fitness classes, at discounted rates
Growth & Professional Development
Fully funded professional membership
Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and leadership development opportunities
Why This Role?
Because it gives you:
The space to lead with confidence.
The chance to shape a high‑performing team.
A Head of Service who values your expertise and backs your judgement.
A team ready for a clear, steady, engaging manager.
A service area with city‑wide impact and high visibility.
A progressive council with ambition and appetite for improvement.
The autonomy to influence service direction and drive meaningful change.
A leadership environment where good ideas move quickly.
You will not just manage a service. You will shape it.
For an informal discussion, please contact: Andrew Tyrrell, Head of Public Protection Andrew.Tyrrell@colchester.gov.uk
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
The Role
You will lead one of the strongest Private Sector Housing teams in the region: a capable, committed group with technical depth, professional pride, and the right culture. You will have real scope to shape future direction, influence policy, and lead meaningful change across a growing city.
You will play a central role in Colchester’s response to the Renters Rights Act by not only overseeing delivery and assurance, but by embedding new practice and strengthening long‑term standards. Your professional judgement will be trusted, your expertise valued, and your leadership visible across the organisation.
This is a role with real long‑term potential: the chance to shape a strategic service, build your leadership profile, and have a lasting impact on housing quality across Colchester.
What You’re Stepping Into
This is not a role where you inherit chaos. This is a role where you inherit existing momentum. You will lead:
A team with solid foundations, strong technical skills, and the right mindset.
A service with clear direction, confident leadership, and full organisational backing.
A forward‑thinking authority that values strong, people‑centred leadership.
A culture that values solution‑seeking, calm professionalism, and collaborative problem‑solving.
A Head of Service who coaches, supports autonomy, sets high standards, and removes barriers.
A portfolio where major legislative change has been prepared for, so your focus will be delivery, assurance, and strengthening practice — not crisis management.
Senior‑level visibility, working with partners including Legal, NHS colleagues, regional networks, landlords, Members, and cross‑council leadership forums.
Your Leadership and Impact
As Private Sector Housing Manager, you will:
Lead, develop, and motivate an experienced, highly capable team.
Act as the Council’s technical expert for PSH policy, quality, and enforcement.
Oversee delivery and ongoing assurance of the Renters Rights Act and shape the city’s long‑term approach to it.
Direct proportionate, evidence‑based enforcement, including HMO licensing, civil penalties, and complex statutory interventions using the full range of Housing Act powers where appropriate.
Strengthen safeguarding and vulnerability pathways with partners.
Build strong internal and external relationships across Public Protection, Legal, NHS partners, landlords, and regional networks.
Represent Colchester at senior internal and external forums.
Shape improvement, innovation, and service consistency, contributing to wider Public Protection objectives.
Your work will directly improve health, safety, and housing conditions across a rapidly growing city.
Who Succeeds Here
We are looking for an emotionally intelligent, confident leader who brings:
A recognised Environmental Health qualification.
Substantial experience in private sector housing enforcement.
The ability to lead calmly and decisively, especially in complex situations.
Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
A solutions‑focused mindset and a balanced approach to enforcement.
Experience managing teams, budgets, and regulatory programmes.
A desire to shape service direction and contribute to long‑term improvement.
Above all, you will be someone who sets high standards, builds trust, and leads with purpose.
Why Choose Colchester
This is a council that invests in its people. Your wellbeing, growth, and professional autonomy matter to us. You will benefit from:
Financial & Reward
Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
Additional Market Forces Supplement
Tax‑efficient salary sacrifice e‑car loan scheme
Bicycle loan and Cycle to Work schemes
Stream financial wellbeing platform
Additional wellbeing support through Stream
Mileage and subsistence allowances
Retail and lifestyle discounts (Vine Extras)
Extensive online retail discounts through approved platforms
Leave & Flexibility
Up to 26 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays and 2 extra statutory days
Option to purchase additional leave
Comprehensive flexible working scheme
Relocation support for eligible new starters
Wellbeing & Support
Employee Assistance Programme
Wellbeing in the Workplace initiatives supported by trained Wellbeing Champions
Discounted healthcare options
Travel Plan discounts and sustainable commuting incentives
Lifestyle & Leisure
Free use of Council gym or pools
Discounted fitness memberships
Access to Colchester Leisure facilities, including Aqua Springs spa and fitness classes, at discounted rates
Growth & Professional Development
Fully funded professional membership
Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and leadership development opportunities
Why This Role?
Because it gives you:
The space to lead with confidence.
The chance to shape a high‑performing team.
A Head of Service who values your expertise and backs your judgement.
A team ready for a clear, steady, engaging manager.
A service area with city‑wide impact and high visibility.
A progressive council with ambition and appetite for improvement.
The autonomy to influence service direction and drive meaningful change.
A leadership environment where good ideas move quickly.
You will not just manage a service. You will shape it.
For an informal discussion, please contact: Andrew Tyrrell, Head of Public Protection Andrew.Tyrrell@colchester.gov.uk
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.