JOB SUMMARY

Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people’s lives.
Whether it’s through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you’re thinking of joining us, there’s never been a more exciting time.
We have over 3,500 staff who are based in 20 offices across the UK.
The Private Rented Sector (PRS) Divisions sit in a thriving regeneration policy group within MHCLG. These divisions lead on a systematic programme of reform in the PRS. The reforms aim to ensure private renters not only have access to a secure and decent home but that they can exercise their rights to challenge poor treatment and bad practice.
The Renters’ Rights Bill is in its final stages in parliament. The legislative commitments include the creation of a digital private rented sector database to bring together key information for landlords, tenants, and councils. Tenants will be able to access key information to inform choices when entering new tenancies, promoting greater transparency and accountability. It will also support landlords to understand their obligations and demonstrate compliance. In addition, councils will be able to use the database to target enforcement where it is needed most, against the minority of unscrupulous landlords.
We are seeking a Service Owner to lead the end-to-end delivery of the PRS Database. You will be responsible for ensuring the service meets user needs, aligns with legislative requirements, and delivers high-quality outcomes for landlords, tenants, and councils. You will work closely with policy, legal, digital, and operational teams to shape and iterate the service through its Beta phase and into live operation. You will lead a growing team as we build from early Beta testing to full mandatory implementation.
We particularly welcome candidates from an ethnic minority background and other underrepresented groups to apply, as we work to continually improve our ability to represent the places and communities we support through our work.
Find out more about what it’s like to work in a digital, data and technology role at MHCLG including our culture, ways of working, career progression and staff benefits.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As the Service Owner, you’ll:

• own the vision, strategy, and roadmap for the PRS Database, ensuring it delivers against MHCLG’s objectives and user needs
• champion user-centred design and agile delivery practices, ensuring the service is accessible, intuitive, and responsive to feedback from landlords, tenants, and councils
• build strong relationships with internal teams, local authorities, delivery partners, and external stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery and adoption
• ensure the service complies with Government Service Standards, and information governance requirements. Oversee data-sharing arrangements with councils and other parties
• work closely with policy colleagues to ensure the service reflects the evolving legislative framework and supports enforcement of housing standards
• lead service readiness activities including onboarding, support desk setup, and integration with GOV.UK One Login and other systems
• Building and manage high performing teams in a way that builds expertise and skills in the department, whilst delivery is maintained
• monitor service performance, user engagement, and operational metrics.
• Report progress to senior leaders and represent the service at governance boards and ministerial briefings

AT SIFT, THROUGH YOUR CV AND COVERING LETTER WE WILL BE ASSESSING:

Experience
Your covering letter should be no more than 1 page referencing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

There may be opportunities for candidates to work flexibly depending on the business needs. This will be discussed with the vacancy manager on a case-by-case basis if you are successful for the role.

• Please note: The Darlington Economic Campus is a pioneering new cross-government hub which will bring together people across departments and public organisations to play an active role in the most important economic issues of the day. The work of the Campus will make a real difference to people both across the UK and internationally. There will be substantial career opportunities and exciting prospects - a career at the Campus means you will be working at the heart of Government, with access to the benefits and fantastic opportunities offered by the civil service. This role is based at MHCLG and we will be joined on the campus by:
• HM Treasury
• Department for International Trade
• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
• Office for National Statistics
• Department for Educatio