Braintree - Strategy, Governance and Assurance
Eastlight Community Homes, Braintree, CM77 8FG

Senior Customer Experience Specialist

Salary: £41,033 per annum
Working Pattern: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37
Closing Date: Sun 05 Apr 2026 - 10:59 pm UTC
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Senior Customer Experience Specialist

Working Pattern

M
8:30 - 17:00
T
8:30 - 17:00
W
8:30 - 17:00
T
8:30 - 17:00
F
8:30 - 16:30
S
S

Agencies

Eastlight’s current agency PSL is at capacity, so we will not be able to consider candidate applications introduced by agencies outside of our selected suppliers.

Who We Are

Eastlight Community Homes is proud to be the largest community gateway social housing provider in the country. Together with our residents and communities, we create safe, affordable homes and neighbourhoods that people are proud to live in.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Customer Experience Specialist to join Eastlight Community Homes on a permanent basis. You will be responsible for leading high quality complaint resolution and help drive service improvement across the organisation.

In this role, you’ll handle Stage 1 complaints, support Stage 2 colleagues, oversee Ombudsman cases, and ensure full compliance with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code and Tenant Satisfaction Measures. You’ll also step in to support and lead the Customer Experience Team when the Manager is absent.

Lead Complaint Handling

Lead Stage 1 complaint investigations from start to finish, ensuring responses are clear, fair, evidence based, and fully compliant with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code.

Support and guide Stage 2 handlers, offering expertise to ensure investigations and responses remain compliant and robust.

Oversee Housing Ombudsman cases, ensuring evidence submissions are accurate and timely, and applying learning to prevent repeat findings.

Drive Insight & Service Improvement

Identify themes, trends, repeat service failures, and root causes across complaints and feedback.

Work with service areas to embed learning, improve processes, and reduce recurrence of issues.

Support the organisation’s annual self assessment against the Complaint Handling Code and contribute to regulatory compliance, including Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs).

Strengthen Resident Experience & Early Resolution

Contact residents proactively following negative feedback to resolve concerns early.

Provide clear, empathetic communication so residents feel heard and supported.

Identify any vulnerabilities or reasonable adjustments and ensure they are recorded and acted on.

Monitor, Report & Maintain Accurate Records

Maintain accurate, high quality complaint records in all systems, ensuring GDPR compliance.

Contribute to performance dashboards, management reports, and statutory reporting.

Track outcomes, improvement actions, and follow through on commitments made to residents.

Lead & Support Team Operations

Provide day to day leadership, acting as team senior in the absence of the Customer Experience Manager.

Allocate workloads, support team members with complex cases, and ensure consistent service delivery.

Lead the development and rollout of regular complaint/learning clinics to support capability building across the organisation.

Manage High Profile & Sensitive Enquiries

Oversee the CEO/MP/Councillor mailbox, including triage, coordination, and production of high quality responses.

Manage housing related enquiries requiring senior level oversight or escalation.

Support Ombudsman, Compliance & Risk Management

Manage Ombudsman Portal interactions and ensure updates are communicated to the CET Manager.

Monitor and implement Ombudsman orders, ensuring compliance and organisational learning.

Identify emerging risks, service failures, or safeguarding concerns and escalate promptly.

Operational & Administrative Responsibilities

Oversee compensation administration, ensuring timely payments and quarterly reporting of trends.

Support mailbox management, triage incoming enquiries, and coordinate responses.

Work independently with sound judgement in a fast paced environment.

Continuous Improvement & Professional Development

Stay up to date with sector guidance, best practice, and Housing Ombudsman publications.

Attend relevant training and briefings and share learning with colleagues.

Promote early resolution, improved communication, and high quality complaint handling across the organisation.

 

Benefits and Compensation

To demonstrate our commitment to you, we have developed a sector leading total rewards package:

  • £41,033 per annum
  • Permanent 37 hours per week 
  • Group stakeholder pension plan (Eastlight will double, up to 5% of the employee’s contribution - Employee 5% + Eastlight 10% = Total 15%)
  •  30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Annual wellbeing grant of £200 per annum – Subject to eligibility
  • Trailblazing family leave (Maternity, Paternity and Adoption – 12 weeks full pay/6 weeks half pay) – Subject to eligibility
  • A healthcare cash plan, life assurance
  • Formal qualifications and paid professional membership

Next Steps

At Eastlight we support, develop, and invest in our people, together creating a culture where people love to work. There has never been a better time to join us! Click the link below to submit your CV and personal statement.

Eastlight Community Homes is a disability confident leader and equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse culture, which is why we encourage applications from everyone. If you require any support with the application process, please contact recruitment@eastlighthomes.co.uk

Eastlight Community Homes are unable to provide Visa Sponsorship.

Important Dates

Closing Date: 5 April 2025 at 23:59 

Interview Date: Interviews are expected to be held w/c 20 April 2026 in person at Braintree Hub or via Microsoft Teams

We reserve the right to close or withdraw this vacancy earlier than advertised should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

You are applying for...
Senior Customer Experience Specialist
Salary: £41,033 per annum
Working Pattern: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
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Questions
Do you hold valid right to work in the UK?
Have you used AI Software (ChatGPT, Copilot, Grok, Gemini, etc.) to aid with the completion of your application?
Eastlight has signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to encouraging applications from disabled candidates. We guarantee an interview for applicants who declare they have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job. Please note that there may be occasions when it is not feasible to interview every Disability Confident candidate who meets the essential criteria, especially during periods of high application volume, seasonal demand, or peak times. Do you have a disability, and would you like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme?
Do you require any reasonable adjustments due to a disability to support you during the selection process? (For example, the application form in another format - such as audio, large print, braille, or translated, or support with the interview process should your application be shortlisted)
Are you currently employed by Eastlight? If yes, have you informed your line manager about your application? Please ensure they are informed, as this helps to maintain a collaborative and transparent approach to your career development within Eastlight.
Are you currently an Agency Worker or Contractor for Eastlight Community Homes?
Are you a current customer (tenant, leaseholder, shared owner, shareholder) of Eastlight Community Homes? Please be aware, if you are successful for the post this will eliminate your eligibility to be an Eastlight Shareholder.
To your knowledge, do you have any close relationships (e.g., relatives, spouses) who are currently employed by Eastlight?If yes, please provide the name of the employee, their job title and department (if known), and their relationship to you:
Please insert your personal statement. Your personal statement should demonstrate your motivation for applying for this role and choosing Eastlight.
Do you have experience handling complaints, including conducting fair and thorough investigations.
Do you have experience providing guidance, workload support, or acting as a senior/lead or Manager within a team?
Are you familiar with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code, or are you willing to quickly develop this knowledge?
Are you confident producing clear, professional written responses for senior audiences (e.g., MPs, CEOs, Ombudsman)?
Do you have experience working in social housing, local government, or a regulated environment.
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Scenario Questions
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