Operational Delivery Manager

Real change begins with inspiring leadership. We are looking for an exceptional, forward-thinking Operational Delivery Manager who will act as a driving force for cultural change, empowering our frontline teams, championing modern practices, and embedding a supportive, customer-first mindset across our entire repairs and voids service., Reporting directly to the Head of Adur Homes, you will provide strategic and operational leadership to the Adur Homes Repairs and Voids Service. You will take the helm of our in-house Direct Labour Organisation (DLO), project officers, supervisors, surveyors, and voids specialists, ensuring our workforce is well-equipped, highly skilled, and motivated to deliver exceptional value and workmanship.
As the lead officer for post-scrutiny and audit improvement plans, you will modernise our operations. You will streamline end-to-end customer journeys, integrate digital and data-led tools into day-to-day delivery, and embed a "right first time" culture that our residents can trust.
Key areas of impact include:
Championing Positive Leadership: Setting a clear vision, priority, and pace while role modelling our core principles of resilience, adaptability, and participation across the service.
Embedding a Culture of Change: Guiding teams through operational evolution with empathy, openness, and coaching, ensuring every colleague feels supported, heard, and valued.
Service Excellence & Compliance: Overseeing rigorous health and safety standards, robust statutory compliance, and proactive budget management across all tenures.
Resident-Centred Operations: Cultivating a proud, respectful customer care standard across all repairs and void turnarounds, directly involving residents and stakeholders along the way.

You are a resilient leader who thrives in an evolving environment and knows how to bring people with you. You understand that cultural change is delivered through people, and you possess the empathy, integrity, and communication skills to inspire confidence across trades operatives, technical specialists, councillors, and residents alike.
To succeed in this role, you will bring:
Proven experience leading property service operations, contract management, or a Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) within the housing sector.
A demonstrable track record of embedding cultural change, continuous improvement, and robust performance management that puts the customer first.
A relevant trade qualification (City & Guilds, BTEC, or NVQ) alongside A-Level standard education or equivalent.
CIH Level 4 qualification (or the willingness to achieve this at pace), alongside IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH General Certificate.
Deep knowledge of social housing regulations, capital repairs programming, and modern health and safety management.
A full, valid UK driving licence and the willingness to travel across the Adur and Worthing districts.
A natural alignment with our organisational values of kindness, compassion, and collaborative working.

At Adur & Worthing Councils, we are transforming our housing operations to support our 3000 residents. Our mission is to build a compliant, highly competent workforce that ensures every tenant lives in a safe, secure, and well-maintained home. With regulatory readiness and service improvement at the forefront of our priorities, we are building a high-performing, forward-looking organisation.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role where your vision, energy, and leadership style will directly impact communities and shape the future of our housing service. We foster a creative, adaptive working environment grounded in kindness and mutual respect.
The successful candidate will be subject to a Basic DBS check clearance.
If this sounds like the role you have been looking for, we look forward to receiving your completed application form!
Equity, inclusion and accessibility
At Adur & Worthing Councils we welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and have the best possible chance of success.
If you have a disability, are a veteran, are a care leaver under 25 at the time of application, or are on The Connect to Work Scheme and you meet the essential criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview. Please confirm how you meet this criteria in the "Showing how you meet the person specification and job description" section of the application form.
Staff are our most important asset and we therefore have a benefit package which reflects our continuing commitment to our employees. This includes:
Generous leave entitlement; a minimum of 26 days + Bank Holiday entitlement
Local Government Pension
Training & development
Occupational Health
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Employee resource groups/networks
Buddy Support Programme
Flexible working options
We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Staff work in a supportive and safe environment, recognising their responsibility to value and respect each other's contributions. Standards of conduct must be of the highest level to ensure that no-one is harassed, bullied or victimised. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, staff engagement forums and are keen to hear from applicants from a variety of different backgrounds.
Fair, Green & Local - Please see link below to our corporate plan with our key priorities for Adur and Worthing (2025-2028)