Location
City of Westminster

Hours
Full Time - 37 hours per week (Flexible working patterns considered, including part-time and job share. Regular in-person attendance required, approximately 60% of working week)

Salary
£72,840 per annum

About the Role
Do you want to work on one of the most exciting transformation projects in the public sector? The Defence Housing Service (DHS) is being created through the Armed Forces Bill to deliver a step-change in housing for the UK’s Armed Forces and their families following the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy on 3 November 2025, marking the most significant change to Armed Forces housing in over 50 years. DHS will bring a dedicated focus to improving the homes, communities and lived experience of Service personnel, placing families firmly at the heart of everything it does.

This is one of the most ambitious housing transformation programmes in the UK today. Backed by a £9.2 billion investment, DHS will modernise tens of thousands of homes, introduce a more proactive and customer-focused approach to maintenance, and unlock new opportunities to develop housing on Defence land. DHS will have the focus and agility to deliver change at pace, combining public service values with greater flexibility to build the skills, systems and partnerships needed for the future.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of shaping its culture, influencing how it works, and helping deliver lasting improvements for Service families across the UK.

The Defence Housing team is currently part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which responds to the evolving needs of military personnel and the ways in which they live, work, train and deploy. DIO delivers unique infrastructure projects, from runways for F35 fighter jets to net carbon-zero accommodation for Service families, with a relentless focus on customers.

The future delivery model for this team is under review and may change as part of potential organisational developments, which could include transfer to a different employer or structure. Existing employees transferring with activities will maintain the same or substantially the same terms and conditions of employment.

The Head of Partnerships and Public Policy is a leadership role within DHS, responsible for brokering relationships with the sponsoring department and across all levels of government, as well as developing external partnerships that support the delivery of the DHS mission.

Working within an evolving organisation, you will be comfortable operating in ambiguity, establishing new ways of working, and identifying opportunities, risks and strategic priorities arising from complex stakeholder environments.

As a trusted adviser to senior leaders, you will help ensure that sponsorship, partner and stakeholder relationships contribute to effective governance, organisational maturity and long-term success.

The role is part of the wider Strategy, Policy and Partnerships directorate and is expected to assume management responsibility for a small team as DHS continues to develop.

Key responsibilities include:
- Building trusted relationships with senior officials and key stakeholders across central, regional and local government, and beyond
- Identifying and securing opportunities for collaboration with private sector partners that support organisational objectives
- Acting as the relationship lead between DHS and the Ministry of Defence sponsorship team
- Developing effective governance arrangements and sponsorship mechanisms
- Coordinating briefing, reporting and engagement activity for senior leaders
- Developing and maintaining strategic partnerships across housing, defence, public and third sectors
- Representing DHS in external forums, partnership meetings and stakeholder engagements
- Influencing policy development and strategic decision-making where appropriate
- Identifying emerging risks, dependencies and opportunities from stakeholder relationships and the external environment
- Providing strategic advice and insight to the Executive Team and senior leaders
- Translating complex external developments into practical actions that support organisational priorities and performance

Experience
- Building and sustaining effective relationships with senior stakeholders across complex organisational environments
- Influencing, negotiating and building consensus across competing interests
- Understanding complex strategic environments, assessing risks and opportunities, and translating insights into practical recommendations and actions
- Considering wider organisational, political and policy contexts when making decisions and providing advice
- Operating effectively in ambiguous, evolving or uncertain environments, establishing priorities and delivering outcomes without established processes
- Producing high-quality briefings, advice and recommendations for senior leaders and communicating effectively with diverse audiences

About you
Comfortable working in ambiguity and change, with strong leadership skills and the ability to establish new ways of working. You are a trusted adviser who can influence senior leaders and navigate complex stakeholder environments with professionalism and strategic insight.

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are stated as essential, but experience and skills aligned with the role’s responsibilities and behaviours are critical.

Behaviours
You will be assessed against the following behaviours:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Leadership