Recent research from Funding Circle reveals that HR is now the most oversubscribed job sector in the UK, with an estimated 129 applicants per vacancy. For organisations in social housing, supported living, and property management, this has important implications for leaders looking to attract and retain the talent that keeps operations running smoothly.
HR: The Most Competitive Sector in the UK
4,961 live HR roles vs 118,800 annual job searches → ~129 applicants per role
Less than 1% chance for each applicant to secure a role
HR, retail, and hospitality top the list for oversubscribed jobs
Roles in tech, law, design, and education face talent shortages instead
For sector leaders, this means securing the right HR professionals is increasingly difficult, even though these roles are critical for recruitment, onboarding, and staff retention.
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Why This Matters for Social Housing and Property Leaders
HR is the backbone of any organisation. When these positions are highly competitive:
Small HR teams in housing associations or property management firms face hundreds of applications, many mismatched
Onboarding, compliance, and employee engagement can slow down, creating bottlenecks in service delivery
Attracting top candidates may require rethinking compensation, culture, and flexibility
Talent Shortages in Other Areas
Interestingly, other roles are easier to fill:
Design jobs → 7 applicants per role
Law & education → 10–15% success rate
IT → high demand, low competition (~8% success)
For leaders hiring in technical, operational, or compliance roles, candidates may be more selective, meaning competitive packages, flexible working, and clear growth opportunities are essential.
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4 Strategies for Leaders to Hire Effectively
Focus on Roles That Unlock Growth
Support service delivery and tenant satisfaction
Improve operational efficiency (e.g., finance, admin, operations)
Retain clients and stakeholders
Be Flexible with Roles
Hybrid/remote working where feasible
Freelancers or interim managers for project-based needs
Part-time or fractional senior hires to access expertise cost-effectively
Differentiate with Your Offer
Emphasise purpose and social impact
Offer autonomy and varied responsibilities
Provide training budgets and clear career pathways
Speed Up the Hiring Process
Use templates for job specs and interviews
Set clear timelines to secure top candidates quickly
Key Takeaway for Sector Leaders
In social housing, supported living, and property management, HR and critical operational roles are harder than ever to fill, while other talent pools may give candidates the upper hand. Leaders who act strategically - offering purpose, flexibility, and speed - will have the best chance of attracting and retaining the professionals their organisations rely on.
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