Pathways to a Director of Housing career: how to stand out

Director of Housing roles now carry more pressure, visibility and expectation. Boards want leaders who can think strategically, manage risk and lead teams through complex change. Compliance demands are growing, and there’s also a sharper focus on how housing services are run, how people are supported and how organisations respond to scrutiny.

If you're already working in housing and starting to think about your next step, a director-level role can be one of the most rewarding moves you make. These roles offer the chance to lead change, improve services and make a real impact across communities.

In this blog, we look at how people typically move into Director of Housing jobs, what public sector employers are looking for and how to position yourself for the next stage of your career.

Career paths into Director of Housing jobs

Director of Housing roles in the public sector demand more than operational knowledge. These are leadership positions that carry strategic responsibility, public accountability and oversight of essential services.

Whether you're applying for a permanent post or stepping in on an interim basis, employers will expect to see:

• Experience running complex housing services, often across multiple teams and tenures.
• Confidence managing large budgets and working within tight regulatory frameworks.
• The ability to lead through change, shape policy and make decisions in the public eye.
• A clear understanding of the political and social pressures facing local government and housing providers.
• Strong leadership that supports performance, compliance and culture.
• CIH level 5 or equivalent often required. 

Public sector recruitment at this level focuses on candidates who can balance strategic priorities with day-to-day delivery, while managing risk and maintaining credibility with senior leaders, elected members and residents.

The routes into Director of Housing jobs vary. Some step-up through structured progression, others build experience across councils, Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) and housing associations. Many take on interim roles to demonstrate impact at the right level.

Progressing through operational leadership

Many Directors of Housing move up through core operational roles. These include:

• Housing Manager or Operations Lead
• Head of Service
• Assistant Director of Housing

Each step brings more responsibility across services, budgets and people. By Assistant Director level, most are influencing strategy, leading transformation, and working directly with boards or elected members.

This is a common path in local authorities and ALMOs, where long-term service knowledge and internal development are often recognised by hiring panels.

Moving between organisations

Others build their careers by gaining experience across different types of housing providers, moving between:

• Local authorities
• Housing associations
• ALMOs
• Charities 

These offer a broader view of service delivery, governance and regulation. It also demonstrates adaptability, something employers value in senior public sector jobs where partnership working and policy change are common.

This route can support quicker progression, particularly when moving into larger or more complex organisations.

Stepping up through interim roles

Interim contracts are often used during transformation, restructuring or compliance activity. These roles provide the chance to:

• Take on senior responsibilities quickly.
• Deliver against urgent priorities.
• Prove strategic leadership in high-pressure settings.

For many, an interim role becomes a stepping stone into a permanent post. They’re a key feature of public sector recruitment, especially where employers need someone who can make an immediate impact at Director level.

What public sector employers expect from housing directors

You might have built your housing experience in local government, housing associations, or even the private sector. But if you’re applying for a Director of Housing role in the public sector, the expectations are different.

Public sector organisations work under intense scrutiny. Services are delivered in the public interest, not for profit; political influence, regulatory demands and public accountability shape leadership decisions. Employers are not just focused on service knowledge. They want to understand how you lead under pressure, how you manage risk and how well you align with the values of public service.

Below, we explore three key areas of experience that employers will be looking for in candidates at the Director of Housing level.

Strategic thinking that delivers

Directors shape how housing supports wider organisational goals. This could include reducing homelessness, contributing to public health or supporting regeneration. Hiring panels are looking for evidence that you understand that link and that you’ve delivered results in practice.

Examples to include:

• Improved service performance through a redesign of allocations or voids.
• Developed a new compliance model to meet updated regulations.
• Aligned housing strategy with wider plans on prevention or sustainability.
• Delivered savings or efficiencies without compromising outcomes.

Sound judgement under pressure

Decisions in the public sector are often made in the spotlight. Whether it’s a service issue, a regulatory risk or a public complaint, Directors need to respond with clarity and authority.

Employers want to know you can manage these situations calmly and credibly. They want to see how you maintain trust while keeping focus on the outcome.

Examples to draw on:

• Managed a high-profile restructure with clear communication to staff and members.
• Responded to a complaint or failure with a clear recovery plan.
• Briefed elected members on a sensitive service risk.
• Balanced operational delivery with political expectations.

Visible leadership and team impact

Senior leaders set the tone. Employers want to understand how you lead people, support performance and create the right environment for teams to succeed.

This matters more than ever as organisations manage change, retain skills and rebuild after the pandemic. It’s not just about delivery. It’s about how you bring others with you.

Examples that reflect this:

• Supported senior managers through transformation or restructuring.
• Improved engagement or retention in underperforming teams.
• Strengthened performance through mentoring or targeted development.
• Created a team culture based on accountability and trust.

How to stand out in Director of Housing applications

Employers are increasingly focused on behaviours, mindset, and leadership style. 

To stand out for a Director of Housing role, employers look for candidates who can demonstrate a combination of strong leadership, resilience under pressure, and a strategic mindset. You'll need to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and lead teams through challenging circumstances. 

Candidates who excel in these roles know how to influence decisions, drive performance, and maintain public trust, even in the face of scrutiny.

Leadership and communication skills

At the heart of the Director of Housing role is the ability to lead teams through transformation while engaging with various stakeholders. You must be able to effectively communicate complex housing issues to residents, senior leaders, and regulatory bodies, while influencing decisions that align with housing strategies.

• Engage with stakeholders: Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse groups, including residents, board members, and senior leaders.
• Influence decision-making: Build consensus across departments and organisations to drive decisions forward.
• Lead with accountability: Motivate teams, especially during periods of change, ensuring everyone stays focused and aligned with strategic goals.

Resilience and decision-making under pressure

Directors of Housing often face high-stakes situations where the pressure is on to make quick, effective decisions. You’ll need to demonstrate resilience by staying composed in challenging environments and ensuring consistent service delivery even when under scrutiny from political figures, the media, or residents.

• Stay calm under pressure: Make informed decisions without losing focus, especially when facing external pressures.
• Lead with clarity: Ensure that decisions are communicated clearly and lead to actionable outcomes, even in tough situations.
• Maintain public trust: Ensure that the public perception of the organisation remains strong, even during periods of crisis or uncertainty.

Strategic and proactive thinking

A Director of Housing needs to think beyond the immediate and work towards long-term housing solutions. Employers will look for candidates who can develop housing strategies that support broader organisational goals and can anticipate challenges before they arise.

• Shape housing strategy: Align short-term operations with long-term housing objectives, ensuring that housing policies meet the future needs of the community.
• Anticipate challenges: Proactively identify emerging issues in housing and plan solutions before they escalate.
• Implement solutions: Work across departments to put strategic solutions in place that meet housing needs and regulatory requirements.

Preparing for your next public sector leadership move

If your goal is to secure a Director of Housing position, you’ll need to be prepared to answer key questions that reflect your leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to manage complex housing services. Here are examples of the types of questions you might face at the senior level, showcasing the skills and experience needed to stand out:

• How have you led a team through a major transformation in housing services?

As a Director of Housing, you must demonstrate how you've led teams through major transformations, ensuring service quality and team alignment despite external pressures.

• Tell us about a time you made a tough decision with limited resources.

Budget constraints are an ongoing challenge in the housing sector. Recent reports show that nearly a quarter of English councils may need to sell homes to balance their housing budgets during a social housing finance crisis. With this pressure, employers will look for candidates who can balance priorities, make difficult decisions, and maintain housing service standards in tight financial conditions.

• How do you ensure housing services meet residents’ needs while managing budget constraints?

Financial pressures on housing providers are intense. The Local Government Association estimated that councils in England face a £1.74 billion annual cost for temporary accommodation. Balancing service delivery with fiscal responsibility is a critical skill for Directors of Housing,

• Describe a time when you influenced a senior leader or key stakeholder.

Influencing key stakeholders is a vital skill in housing leadership. Whether it’s securing budget approval or advocating for policy change, being able to communicate effectively with senior leaders and stakeholders is essential. Employers will want to know how you’ve driven decisions at the highest levels in housing organisations.

• How do you manage political pressure while maintaining service delivery?

Political pressures often impact housing policy, making it essential for housing leaders to maintain focus on service delivery despite external challenges. Councils in England have faced tough decisions regarding new housing projects, with 57% of councils planning to cut spending on repairs and maintenance.

These are the types of questions you’ll need to be ready for as you move towards a Director of Housing role. Preparing with real-world examples from your career will help you stand out in housing director jobs and public sector recruitment.

While you may not be at this stage yet, focusing on these areas will help you progress along the career path and ensure you're ready when the opportunity arises. Take a look at our blog Top five interview questions Head of Housing candidates need to prepare for.  

Closing advice for Director of Housing applications

Senior Director of Housing roles provide an exceptional opportunity to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact in your community. The application and interview process is your chance to demonstrate how you can balance strategic priorities with operational demands, navigate political challenges, and lead housing services through complex situations.

Focus on your leadership journey, the transformation projects you've led, and how you’ve managed to deliver high-quality services under pressure. Be ready to show how your decisions have influenced change and shaped the future of housing in your area.

Thinking about your next step?

There’s no single path into housing leadership. But understanding what employers value, building the right experience, and getting tailored advice can put you in the best position.

We work with local authorities, housing associations, and public sector bodies across the UK to recruit senior housing professionals. Whether you’re ready for your next move or exploring new opportunities, our team understands the unique demands of public sector housing recruitment.

Get in touch today to explore current Director of Housing jobs and take the next step in your leadership career.