Chief Executive

Regulator of Social Housing

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 4 weeks

Housing

Full time

£180,000 per year

Job summary

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) plays a vital role in the lives of millions of people across England. Through effective regulation, it supports safe, well run and financially resilient social housing, helping to protect tenants and sustain confidence in a sector that plays a central role in communities. Independent and accountable to Parliament, RSH operates with a clear statutory remit and a strong sense of public responsibility.

Job description

With this important foundation in place, RSH is now seeking a Chief Executive to lead the organisation at a time of sustained significance. This is a role focused on how regulation is applied with care and judgement, while keeping outcomes for tenants firmly in view. Working closely with the Chair, Board and Executive Team, the Chief Executive will steward the regulatory framework as it continues to evolve, building on existing success while ensuring the organisation remains responsive to change.

As Accounting Officer, the Chief Executive holds responsibility for organisational performance, governance and the stewardship of public funds. Integrity underpins the role, informing evidence-based decisions that are clearly communicated and able to withstand scrutiny. Confidence operating within clear accountability frameworks is essential, alongside the judgement to balance engagement appropriately.

The Chief Executive will provide inspiration and vision to lead the organisation as a whole, working through the executive team to support a cohesive approach to leadership and delivery. A central responsibility is oversight of the regulatory standards for social housing, applied across a diverse range of providers. This work is shaped by an understanding of the wider housing and policy environment, and by constructive engagement across the sector, recognising differences in scale and operating context while keeping expectations clear and proportionate.

Externally, the Chief Executive represents RSH in relationships with ministers, Members of Parliament, select committees, investors and key partner organisations. The role requires credibility and confidence in formal settings, alongside the ability to build strong professional relationships grounded in trust, respect and shared responsibility.

Person specification

The successful candidate will bring senior leadership experience gained in a regulatory, public or comparably governed environment, where scrutiny is part of the landscape and decisions carry real consequence. Experience of social housing is not essential. Of greater importance is the ability to build understanding quickly, to listen carefully, and to navigate complexity with perspective and assurance.

This is an opportunity to lead an organisation of national significance, where decisions shape confidence in the social housing sector and its long-term strength. It is a role with genuine influence, where thoughtful leadership, sound judgement and perspective can make a lasting difference.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £180,000, Regulator of Social Housing contributes £52,146 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Why work at RSH?
At RSH, we offer a fantastic range of benefits including a 35 hour working week, 33 days annual leave and access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Our staff survey results consistently show that our staff think that the best thing about working at the RSH is our flexible and hybrid working, along with our family friendly policies that support work-life balance.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

The recruitment of this role is being managed by Tile Hill. Please visit www.lead-rsh.co.uk to find out more and to apply. Or, for a confidential conversation, call Holly Kennedy (07771 109401) or Ella Milward Hamylton (07398478852) at Tile Hill.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Salary range

£180,000 per year