We are seeking an exceptional Executive Director to join Onward's Executive Team and help lead one of the largest housing providers in the North West.

At Onward, we are united by our vision to make The Onward Difference : enabling people to be their best, in homes they love, and places they are proud of. With around 35,000 homes across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire, we are committed to investing in our existing homes, building new affordable housing, and delivering services that make a lasting difference to customers and communities.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Executive Director - Operations will provide strategic leadership for housing management, neighbourhood services, customer contact and customer engagement. As an integral member of the Executive Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping organisational strategy, overseeing the successful delivery of our new Customer Voice and Influence Strategy, and driving service excellence to ensure customers remain at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for a senior leader with a strong track record of delivering outstanding customer services within the social housing sector. You will bring significant experience of leading large-scale operational services, driving transformation to ensure continuous improvement, and embedding technology to enhance the customer experience. Equally important will be your ability to work collaboratively with Boards, customers, colleagues and external partners, building trusted relationships and influencing positive change.

With strong commercial and financial acumen, you will have the vision and credibility to identify new opportunities, navigate change, and ensure services continue to deliver value, impact and excellence. You will be an inclusive and visible leader, motivated by making a genuine difference to customers and communities.

We strive for diverse teams so that we can create an inclusive culture which enables Onward to thrive and be representative of the communities that we serve.

If you can help us continue to make The Onward Difference and shape the future of customer and neighbourhood services across the North West, then the candidate pack and application details are available by clicking the 'Continue' button below.

For a confidential discussion, please contact our advisers at GatenbySanderson: Nick Roberts on 07393 013697 (nick.roberts@gatenbysanderson.com) or Delicia Coutinho on 07741 264892 (delicia.coutinho@gatenbysanderson.com)

Closing date: 5pm on Friday 11 September 2026.

To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.

Contacts
Nick Roberts: 07393 013697 Delicia Coutinho: 07741 264 892
Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date
5pm on Friday 11th September 2026

Longlist Meeting
Thursday 17th September 2026

Preliminary Interviews with GatenbySanderson
w/c 28th September 2026

Shortlist Meeting
Friday 16th October 2026

Psychometric Profiling
w/c 19th October 2026

Final Panel Interviews
w/c 2nd November 2026

How to Apply

• Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.
• Detail any employment or education gaps.
• Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
• Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
• Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email contactus@gatenbysanderson.com