Managing Director of Direct Labour Organisation

Managing Director, Direct Labour Organisation (DLO)

Contract: Permanent

Location: London (Westminster Bridge Road)

We’re seeking an experienced and visionary Managing Director for our Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) to lead Peabody’s in-house repairs, maintenance and estate services. This is a critical, high-impact leadership role responsible for driving sustainable growth, modernising service delivery, and ensuring excellent, safe and cost-effective outcomes for our residents.

Reporting directly into senior leadership, you will shape the strategic direction of the DLO — transforming service models, embedding digital optimisation, strengthening operational performance, and building a cohesive, collaborative and customer-focused workforce. You’ll lead a large, multi-disciplinary operational team and deliver services that set new standards for quality, resident experience and value for money.

This is a unique opportunity to redefine what an in-house service can achieve for one of London’s largest and most established housing associations.

• Setting the strategic vision for the DLO, ensuring alignment with wider property, asset and organisational strategies.
• Delivering high-quality, efficient services across responsive repairs, voids, caretaking, estate services, cleaning and grounds maintenance.
• Driving workforce modernisation, digital transformation and service optimisation.
• Ensuring full compliance with gas, electrical, fire, legionella and wider building safety regulations.
• Providing robust assurance and transparent reporting to Boards and Committees.
• Leading financial performance, budget control, commercial improvement and value-for-money outcomes.
• Championing a resident-first culture that strengthens trust, satisfaction, communication and follow-through.
• Leading, motivating and developing a large, diverse and geographically dispersed operational workforce.

• A proven track record of leading large-scale repairs, maintenance or contracting services.
• Experience delivering high-performing, customer-focused operational services at significant scale.
• Strong financial and commercial management skills, with experience overseeing substantial budgets.
• Ability to interpret and act upon operational, financial and performance data to drive improvement.
• Experience leading teams through periods of scrutiny, pressure or organisational change.
• Strong stakeholder and partnership management skills, including regulatory engagement.
• A values-led, inclusive leadership style that motivates teams and builds a positive, high-performance culture.

At Peabody, our values guide everything we do —
Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together.

You’ll be joining a team committed to delivering safe homes, great services and strong communities, with the autonomy to shape one of our most important operational functions.

• Two additional paid volunteering days each year
• Flexible benefits scheme, including family-friendly benefits and access to a discount portal
• 4x salary life assurance
• Up to 10% pension contribution

PLEASE NOTE: Peabody does not provide sponsorship as a licensed UK employer.

Interviews will take place from 12th February 2026 (in person, Westminster Bridge Road) (in person, Westminster Bridge Road)

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Talent Specialist Victoria Wilson at vic

We may close this advert early depending on the number of high-quality applications received.

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you — and you’re ready to lead a modern, high-performing, resident-focused DLO — we’d love to hear from you. Please apply with an anonymised CV and short statement outlining your suitability.