ONE Housing Applications Manager
About this role
Lead the systems that support our housing services – and the residents behind them.
You’ll play a key role in shaping the systems that help our housing teams support thousands of residents. We’re all in on making our services smarter, faster and more connected – and your leadership will help us get there.
Working Style:
You’ll be based in the Borough for three days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you’re working on the frontline or behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents’ lives.
What you’ll be doing:
This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you’ll manage and enhance MRI Housing One system – leading a team of analysts, and support staff to keep the system running smoothly, resolve issues quickly and deliver improvements that genuinely meet users' needs.
Your focus will be on making sure the system delivers – whether that’s through troubleshooting, responding to support tickets, rolling out improvements, or planning longer-term changes. You’ll work closely with housing teams and system users to understand what’s working, what’s not and where we can do better. You’ll also manage contracts and relationships with suppliers, lead on system integration and oversee the licensing model to ensure value and compliance.
Your leadership won’t stop at technical delivery – you’ll help your team grow, manage recruitment, performance and development and create a space where collaborative problem-solving is the norm. From sprint planning to budget tracking, you’ll play a vital role in shaping how our systems support the borough’s future.
For further details, please review the Job Description and Person Specification
What you’ll bring
You’re an experienced housing systems professional with expert, hands-on knowledge of MRI Housing One – or directly comparable experience with a system like Capita Open Housing – and a passion for leading people and improving services. You’ve worked in Agile environments and know how to juggle multiple projects without losing sight of the end user.
You understand the power of good systems and know that your work makes a difference – not just to your team, but to the residents who rely on our housing services every day. You bring strong problem-solving skills, confidence in working with stakeholders and the ability to keep things moving, even when challenges arise.
You’ll also have experience managing budgets, risks and suppliers and be confident overseeing product roadmaps, user roles and licensing. Experience in the housing or public sector is a bonus – but just as important is your ability to think strategically, lead compassionately and build relationships that help everyone do their best work.
Why join us
At RBKC, we’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future.
As our Housing IT Application Manager, you’ll lead a motivated team, work in a flexible hybrid model and help shape how our systems evolve to meet the changing needs of residents.
You’ll be trusted to lead, supported to grow and part of a wider culture that values collaboration, learning and impact. Your work won’t be hidden behind the scenes – you’ll see the real-world difference every time your system helps someone get the support they need. We offer a competitive salary, meaningful career development and the chance to be part of something genuinely important.
Interview Details
Interviews for this position will be held in person at Kensington Town Hall week commencing 14th September.
About us
Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough.
As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.
In this role, you’ll live our ‘We’re all in’ ethos – leading the systems that enable faster, fairer housing support. Whether you're solving technical issues, leading your team, or driving forward digital transformation, every part of your role contributes to a more responsive, resident-first service. When you’re all in, your impact is real – and valued.
Ready to join us?
We’re all in – are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description.
We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.
We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
Company at a glance
Kensington and Chelsea is one of London’s most vibrant and recognisable boroughs. It has many unique buildings, famous museums and beautiful parks. Although the borough is geographically one of the smallest in London, at just over 4.7 square miles, it is one of the most densely populated and diverse areas in Europe. It is home to the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival.
Kensington and Chelsea Council (also known as RBKC) aims to provide high quality services to improve the lives of its residents and to make the borough greener, safer and fairer.
The Council has five directorates, sharing Children’s Services and Adult Social Care and Public Health with Westminster Council. Other directorates include Chief Executive, Environment and Neighbourhoods, Housing and Social Investment (including Grenfell recovery), and Resources.
Children's Services and Adult Social Care: This directorate covers children's services, education, family services, safeguarding, adult social care and public health. These services are consistently rated as being of a very high standard.
Environment and Neighbourhoods: Transport, leisure, planning, resident services, libraries and environmental health, all of which are supported by a safer, cleaner and greener streets agenda. This team also work to preserve the unique character of the borough.
Housing and Social Investment: In response to London’s affordable homes crisis, the Council is committed to building more social housing to help people on lower incomes to live, work, and raise their families in the borough. Housing also covers landlord services and estate management, planning, refurbishment, advice and support to help maintain healthy and safe homes, and build stronger communities.
Resources: This directorate includes Customer Services, Human Resources, IT, Finance. These services help the Council to run effectively and in turn benefit the wider community.
CEO manages strategy, Grenfell inquiry, governance and communications.
Top Benefits
- Hybrid working model
- Career development
- Competitive salary
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