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Role Overview
This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in shaping accommodation policy across one of the UK's largest and most high-profile housing portfolios. As Defence Housing undergoes significant transformation, you will have the opportunity to influence national housing policy, drive reform and ensure thousands of Service personnel and their families have access to safe, high-quality homes.
Key Responsibilities
As Head of Housing Policy, you will lead a substantial programme of policy development across Defence housing, with responsibility for accommodation standards, allocations, landlord policy and tenancy frameworks. You will ensure that policy is coherent, deliverable, legally robust and financially sustainable, supporting the ambitions of the Defence Housing Strategy and the establishment of the future Defence Housing Service.
- Lead a substantial programme of policy development across Defence housing
- Ensure policy is coherent, deliverable, legally robust, and financially sustainable
- Support the ambitions of the Defence Housing Strategy and the establishment of the future Defence Housing Service
Reporting at a senior level, you will provide authoritative advice to Ministers and senior leaders on complex and high-profile policy matters. You will lead policy reform and modernisation, overseeing the development of evidence-based approaches that balance operational, legal, and financial considerations while ensuring a family-centred approach remains at the heart of decision-making.
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- Provide authoritative advice to Ministers and senior leaders on complex and high-profile policy matters
- Lead policy reform and modernisation
- Oversee the development of evidence-based approaches
You will work closely with stakeholders across Defence, wider government, families' federations, and external partners to shape the future direction of accommodation policy. Leading a high-performing team, you will foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and delivery excellence, while ensuring policy compliance with statutory, regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.
- Work closely with stakeholders across Defence, wider government, families' federations, and external partners
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and delivery excellence
- Ensure policy compliance with statutory, regulatory, safety, and quality requirements
Essential Criteria
To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced policy leader with a strong track record of operating in complex, high-profile environments. You will bring exceptional analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex evidence into clear, strategic advice for senior decision-makers. A credible and influential leader, you will have experience of managing teams, building effective partnerships, and driving change across organisational boundaries.
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- Strong experience in policy development within complex or high-profile environments, ideally within housing, landlord functions, or public service delivery
- Ability to analyse complex evidence and provide clear, balanced advice across operational, legal, and financial considerations
- Proven experience supporting senior leaders and preparing high-quality written outputs, such as Ministerial briefings or policy instructions
- Demonstrable leadership experience, including managing teams and driving cross-organisational collaboration
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels across government and external partners
- Ability to operate in complex, ambiguous environments and deliver at pace while maintaining high standards
Working for DIO
Working for DIO offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of Service personnel and their families while contributing to one of the most significant housing transformation programmes in the public sector. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where talented people can thrive and develop their careers.
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