Deputy Temporary Accommodation and Procurement Manager
About Us
Job Title: Deputy Temporary Accommodation and Procurement Manager
Salary Range: £47,730 – £57,837 per annum
Fixed Term until 31/03/2028
Fulltime – 36hours
Location: 2nd floor Bridas House, 90 Putney Bridge Road, London, SW18 1HR & Civic Centre, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ.
Other essential information: Minimal of 3 days in the office.
Are you an experienced housing professional with a strong understanding of both the private rented sector and homelessness legislation?
This is an opportunity to lead one of London's most ambitious accommodation procurement services, helping Richmond and Wandsworth secure safe, suitable and affordable accommodation for households facing homelessness.
As Deputy Temporary Accommodation & Procurement Manager, you will manage a team of Procurement & Lettings Solutions Officers responsible for securing private rented sector accommodation, sourcing long-term temporary accommodation and building strong relationships with landlords, agents and accommodation providers.
This is a role for someone who can combine commercial awareness with a strong understanding of statutory housing duties. You will be confident negotiating with landlords, assessing property suitability, interpreting complex legislation and leading a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment.
You will play a key role in helping both boroughs reduce temporary accommodation pressures, increase housing options for residents and deliver innovative procurement solutions that achieve better outcomes for households and better value for the public purse.
About the Role
- Lead and develop a team. Managing a team of Procurement & Lettings Solutions Officers, you'll drive performance, build capability and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Secure and increase the supply of accommodation. A key focus of the role is growing the availability of private rented sector and temporary accommodation across Richmond and Wandsworth.
- Build effective relationships. Strong partnerships with landlords, agents, developers and accommodation providers will be essential to expanding housing opportunities.
- Lead negotiations. You'll negotiate accommodation rates, incentives and procurement opportunities, securing the best outcomes for both residents and the service.
- Ensure properties meet required standards. Responsibility for maintaining high standards of suitability, safety and value for money sits at the heart of this role.
- Carry out property inspections. Regular inspections and quality assurance activity will help ensure accommodation meets service expectations and statutory requirements.
- Provide expert advice. Colleagues and partners will look to you for guidance on homelessness legislation, suitability requirements, accommodation procurement, and landlord and tenant law.
- Deliver innovative accommodation solutions. Working creatively to identify and develop new housing options, you'll help reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and improve resident outcomes.
- Analyse performance information. Using data, budgets and market intelligence, you'll support service improvement and informed decision-making.
- Work collaboratively across services. Close working relationships with homelessness, prevention, allocations and temporary accommodation teams will be key to maximising housing outcomes for residents.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience
About you
We're looking for someone who combines strong housing knowledge with proven leadership experience. You will have:
- Significant experience within homelessness, temporary accommodation, private sector housing or accommodation procurement.
- A strong working knowledge of homelessness legislation, including suitability requirements and Private Rented Sector Offers under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
- Good understanding of landlord and tenant legislation, welfare reform and relevant housing case law.
- Experience carrying out property inspections and assessing housing standards.
- Knowledge of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), with an HHSRS qualification or equivalent experience highly desirable.
- A proven track record of managing and motivating a target-driven team.
- Strong commercial awareness, negotiation and relationship management skills, particularly with landlords and accommodation providers.
- Experience developing procurement initiatives and increasing accommodation supply.
Indicative Recruitment Timeline
Closing Date: Sunday 25th October 2026
Shortlisting Date: W/C 28th October 2026
Interview Date: TBC
We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Useful Information
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils