Client: Metro Housing | Tier 2 Community Housing Provider
Role: Head of Housing Services (Tenancy & Assets Services)
Location: Sydney, NSW
Sector: Community Housing / Social Housing
The Challenge
Be Recruitment was engaged to support the appointment of a Head of Housing Services for a Tier 2 community housing provider during a period of organisational development and sector change.
This executive-level role was responsible for overseeing the organisation’s tenancy and property management functions, while also contributing to strategic planning, partnerships, compliance and growth initiatives. The role reported directly to the CEO and led a multidisciplinary housing team responsible for tenancy management, asset coordination and service delivery.
One of the key challenges with this search was the specialised experience required.
The organisation required a candidate who could demonstrate:
Strong tenancy expertise
A deep understanding of community housing regulation and compliance
Experience overseeing asset and property management functions
Leadership capability within a complex social housing environment – strategic role working with the board and CEO but capable of working closely with a small team at an operational level
The ability to contribute to organisational strategy and sector partnerships
In the community housing sector, senior leaders often specialise in either tenancy management or asset/property functions. Finding candidates with both operational housing experience and executive leadership capability within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 provider environment significantly narrowed the talent pool.
Additionally, the role required a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks such as the Residential Tenancies Act and the National Regulatory System for Community Housing, alongside experience managing housing portfolios and complex tenancy matters.
Our Approach
Be Recruitment undertook a targeted executive search across the social housing and community housing sector, focusing on leaders with experience in:
Tier 1 and Tier 2 community housing providers
Housing and tenancy service delivery leadership roles
Asset and property management within social housing portfolios
Organisations operating within the National Regulatory System for Community Housing
Our search methodology included:
Market mapping of senior housing leaders across NSW
Direct outreach to candidates with tenancy and operational housing leadership experience
Assessment of candidates’ knowledge of housing regulation, governance and compliance
Evaluation of leadership capability in managing complex tenancy portfolios and multidisciplinary teams
The Outcome
Be Recruitment delivered a high-quality shortlist of candidates with strong housing sector leadership experience.
The successful candidate demonstrated:
Extensive experience leading tenancy and housing services teams
Strong understanding of community housing compliance frameworks
Proven ability to manage housing portfolios, tenancy disputes and asset coordination
A collaborative leadership style suited to a values-driven, community-focused organisation
Impact
The successful placement strengthened the organisation’s ability to:
Deliver high-quality tenancy and housing management services
Maintain compliance with housing regulation and sector standards
Improve oversight of portfolio performance, arrears management and tenancy outcomes
Support the organisation’s strategic growth and partnership development
By securing a senior leader with both tenancy and technical housing expertise, the organisation is well positioned to continue delivering safe, affordable and sustainable housing outcomes for its tenants and community.
This assignment was managed by Jenny Rosser
