Head of Accommodation
Leading operational performance, client partnerships and commercial growth across a national accommodation service
Salary: £40,000.00 pa
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday,
9.00am-5.30pm Location: Fully remote and home-based
On-call rota: Two weeks on, two weeks off Reports to: Operations Director
The opportunity
Jigsaw Conferences provides temporary, emergency and planned accommodation services to housing organisations across the UK. We are seeking an experienced senior leader to lead our Accommodation Service and support the continued growth of the business.
This strategic and operational role is responsible for delivering high-quality accommodation services across multiple client contracts, with a strong focus on client relationship management, relocation and decant projects, contract mobilisation, KPI performance management, and commercial growth. You will oversee budgets, ensure contractual compliance, and drive service excellence across the Accommodation and Out of Hours teams.
Working closely with clients, suppliers, local authorities and internal stakeholders, you will identify business development opportunities, strengthen key partnerships, and support the successful implementation of new contracts. You will also lead service improvement and technology initiatives, enhancing systems, reporting, and customer experience to ensure the service remains efficient, compliant, and well-positioned for future growth.
Responsibilities
· Lead and develop the Accommodation and Out of Hours teams, including performance management, one-to-ones, training and development.
· Manage client relationships across the portfolio, ensuring KPI achievement, contractual compliance and high service standards.
· Support the introduction and delivery of new accommodation services and client contracts.
· Lead complex relocation, decant and accommodation projects, ensuring successful delivery and client satisfaction.
· Manage budgets, operational performance and service improvement initiatives across all contracts.
· Drive business development through client retention, supplier growth and new opportunities.
· Maintain overall responsibility for safeguarding, quality assurance and risk management.
· Oversee supplier partnerships, onboarding and performance to ensure compliance and service quality.
· Lead the development of internal systems, portals and technology to improve efficiency, reporting and customer experience.
· Keep abreast of industry trends, legislation and best practice, ensuring services remain compliant, innovative and commercially successful.
What we are looking for
You do not need to have followed one particular career path. Relevant experience may come from temporary or emergency accommodation, social housing, hotels, serviced apartments, relocation, the private rented sector or another comparable service environment.
Essential experience and skills
· Proven leadership of accommodation, housing, relocation, or property-related services.
· Strong experience managing teams, including performance management, one-to-ones, coaching, training and development.
· Demonstrable success in managing client relationships and delivering services against contractual requirements and KPIs.
· Experience supporting new client contracts and ensuring effective service delivery.
· Proven ability to manage budgets, operational performance and commercial objectives.
· Experience overseeing complex relocation, decant or accommodation projects.
· Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management and quality assurance processes.
· Experience managing supplier relationships, onboarding providers and monitoring performance.
· Track record of driving service improvements, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
· Experience leading systems, technology or process improvement initiatives.
· Excellent stakeholder management, communication and relationship-building skills.
· Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
· Good understanding of relevant housing, safeguarding and data protection legislation.
· Knowledge of industry trends, market developments and best practice within housing and accommodation services.
· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and competing demands.
Desirable skills and experience
· Senior leadership experience within accommodation, housing, relocation or property services.
· Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate high-performing teams.
· Experience managing client relationships, contracts, KPIs and service delivery.
· Successful delivery of complex relocation, decant or accommodation projects.
· Experience managing budgets, suppliers and operational performance.
· Strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and quality assurance.
· Track record of driving service improvements, growth and change.
· Excellent communication, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
· Experience implementing systems, technology and process improvements.
· Good knowledge of housing legislation, industry standards and best practice.
· Familiarity with out-of-hours services, procurement and tender processes.
The standard working hours are 37.5 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm, with flexibility to support operational requirements.
As part of our 24/7 service, you will provide escalation support to the Out of Hours team on a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off rota. This may include emergency accommodation enquiries, significant operational issues and large-scale or group decants. The advertised salary is inclusive of remuneration for participation in the on-call rota.
What we offer
· A fully remote, home-based role.
· 28 days' annual leave, inclusive of public holidays.
· A contributory pension scheme.
· Employee assistance and wellbeing support.
· The opportunity to shape and develop a growing national accommodation service.
Recruitment Timeline: ·
· Advert close date: Friday 21st August 2026
· Interview Dates: w/c 24th August – these will be held over Teams
· 2nd Interview Dates: w/c 31st August 2026 – these will be held in person
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you're a collaborative senior leader with experience driving operational performance, client success and business growth, we'd love to hear from you.
If you meet most of the criteria and believe you have the skills, knowledge and experience to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply
please send a covering letter and your CV to Cat Berry on [email protected]