Head of Private Housing and Environmental Health Standards

Head of Private Housing and Environmental Health Standards

Location: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

About us

Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we collectively want to see in our borough and Council. We want to become a more strategic, efficient and adaptive organisation, to deliver for our communities. Our workforce is key to making this happen.

Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services. Our vibrant, diverse communities span Greenwich town centre in the west, to Thamesmead in the east, from the Greenwich Peninsula in the north to Eltham in the south. Royal Greenwich has a reputation for combining ambition with delivery. We are on a journey towards a low carbon future and the sustainability agenda will influence all areas of the Council's work

This is an amazing opportunity to lead a dynamic service and ensure the highest standards of living and safety across private housing in Greenwich. We are looking for an experienced leader to become our Head of Private Housing and Environmental Health Standards, where you will play a vital role in raising living standards, enforcing regulations, and driving up environmental health standards.

About the Role

As the Head of Private Housing and Environmental Health Standards, you will provide strategic leadership for key services impacting private housing, environmental health, and building safety across the borough. This role encompasses managing over 37,000 private rented homes and ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and housing quality.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams overseeing:

• Private Sector Housing Licensing (HMO and other licensing schemes)
• Landlord regulation and control
• Environmental Protection (including air quality and pest control)
• Building and Fire Safety
• Food Safety & Hygiene in commercial sectors

Key responsibilities include:

• Driving strategic initiatives that improve housing and environmental standards.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and delivering enforcement activities.
• Managing a budget of up to £6 million and ensuring effective use of resources.
• Developing innovative property licensing schemes and addressing housing issues through enforcement policies.
• Building strong partnerships with key stakeholders such as the London Fire Brigade, HMRC, and the Food Standards Agency.

About You

We are seeking a strategic leader with a deep understanding of private housing and environmental health standards. You should have a strong knowledge of housing legislation, landlord regulations, and public health standards. With extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary teams, you will bring leadership, vision, and a passion for improving service quality.

Key qualifications and skills include:

• Professional qualifications in Environmental Health or Housing.
• Expertise in housing licensing and building safety
• Ability to lead large teams and complex projects with significant budget responsibility.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and experience in collaborating with agencies like the Health & Safety Executive.
• A proactive approach to service improvement and delivering sustainable, safe housing environments.

Why Join Us?

Royal Greenwich is a great place to live and work. Benefiting from excellent transport links ranging from Crossrail to the Elizabeth line to the Uber boat, we're one of the easiest boroughs to get to and navigate your way around.

At Royal Greenwich, we offer:

• A range of flexible working arrangements
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential, including excellent apprenticeship opportunities at all levels
• Vibrant staff support networks
• GreenwichCard which entitles you to discounts at local businesses
• Payroll giving scheme
• Generous leave entitlement, starting at 29 days per year (plus bank holidays)
• Employee Assistance Scheme including external counselling service

Join us to be part of a team that is dedicated to improving the housing conditions and environmental health standards in Greenwich.

Apply today and help shape the future of safe, sustainable living in the Royal Borough.

For more information and to make an application, please visit

Royal Borough of Greenwich values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this. We therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Royal Borough of Greenwich reserves the right to close any vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date should there be a high volume of applications received.