Executive Director of Operations, Chime Housing
In the months leading up to the creation of Chime Housing, one executive appointment carried exceptional importance. As Thrive Homes and Watford Community Housing prepared to merge into a new organisation managing more than 13,500 homes, securing an Executive Director of Operations became a business-critical priority. Appointed before the merger was complete, Neemar Search was trusted to identify the leader who would provide operational stability, lead the largest frontline workforce and help shape the future of the newly formed organisation .
The Challenge
Although the assignment began under Watford Community Housing, the successful candidate would ultimately join Chime Housing as part of a newly established executive team. The timing introduced significant complexity. Reporting into the newly appointed Chief Executive, Paul Richmond, the Executive Director of Operations would oversee housing management, customer services, property services and maintenance, leading the organisation's largest operational function.
Failure to secure the right appointment would have left a substantial leadership gap at the point two organisations, teams and cultures were coming together. As a first-time client, Chime selected Neemar because of its recognised expertise in recruiting Executive Directors responsible for customer and operational services within social housing.
The Solution
Neemar worked closely with the executive team to build a search process that reflected the realities of a live merger rather than treating it as a conventional executive appointment. Early conversations focused on understanding not only the technical responsibilities of the role but also the leadership qualities needed to bring confidence, consistency and visible leadership during organisational change.
Throughout the search, regular communication ensured the client remained fully informed as the organisation evolved. Candidate engagement centred on the opportunity to help shape a new housing association from its earliest days, giving prospective leaders a clear understanding of both the responsibilities and the ambition behind the appointment.
Drawing on established relationships across the social housing executive market and deep knowledge of operational leadership roles, Neemar identified and assessed candidates with the credibility to lead large customer-facing teams while contributing as part of a newly formed executive leadership team. The result was a process that balanced pace with careful judgement, ensuring Chime secured the right appointment at a defining point in its development.
The Outcome
Paul Harris was successfully appointed as Executive Director of Operations, joining Chime Housing as the organisation completed its transition following the merger. His appointment provided stability in one of the most significant executive positions, responsible for the largest group of frontline colleagues delivering services to residents across the new organisation.
For Chime, the successful outcome meant the executive team was complete at a time when leadership continuity mattered most. Rather than managing an extended vacancy during organisational change, the organisation entered its next chapter with an experienced operational leader in place to support colleagues, customers and the wider executive team.
The assignment also marked the beginning of Neemar's relationship with Chime Housing. Having selected Neemar for its specialist understanding of Executive Director appointments within customer and operational services, the organisation experienced a collaborative search process built around regular communication, responsiveness and a clear understanding of its priorities. That successful partnership has created the foundations for an ongoing relationship.
Candidate Testimonial
"I have recently secured a new role via Neemar, and then almost instantly worked with the team to recruit an important role in my new team, so I have had the experience of candidate and hiring manager in quick succession. Both processes resulted in great outcomes and both were handled with great care and also speed with the Neemar team. I’ve been impressed with Neemar’s focus on the sector as a whole – the regular events, white papers and projects show their interest is in more than simply filling senior roles, and indeed that broader perspective makes the recruitment process itself more targeted, sophisticated and compelling.”
Client Testimonial
“We have recently completed recruitment to our executive team with Neemar. Tom and team demonstrated a tailored and professional approach to senior level recruitment and were able to ensure that the recruitment process reflected our specific needs as an organisation. Through regular touchpoints, we felt fully engaged with the process and that it was a clear priority for them to achieve a successful appointment. Candidates also spoke positively regarding the service they received from Neemar, which supports our recommendation for them working at this level in the social housing sector.”
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