Job Description
3-4 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• As a Head of Service, you will take a lead for a professional team of asset management and client surveyors, providing professional leadership technical support and client direction in relation to the Councils housing stock with strategic client oversight in respect of the delivery of the Housing repairs, capital investment, and asset management services including the Asset Management Plan for housing, stock condition data updates through the necessary timely delivery of stock condition surveys.
• The post holder will work in collaboration with the senior management team within the Councils housing Operations service (the primary housing works contractor) to ensure effective strategic direction and delivery of the objectives of the overall housing Technical service offer to tenants and Leaseholders.
• The primary objectives will involve the post holder in ensuring the housing property assets are well maintained and that planned works and capital investment are delivered in accordance with the client priorities as defined by the Asset Management Plan, which meet housing improvement targets, and full compliance requirements including the meeting of the specified KPI targets as set out in the Client Housing Technical Service Annual Plan as agreed with Operations. The post holder will be familiar with the HRA financial regime and will be able to effectively work with the Finance officers and Director of Finance to create a viable medium, and long term 30 year HRA BP.
• This is a key role that will enable the Council, as a Registered Provider of social housing to be in a state of readiness for any planned inspections by the Housing Regulator and is ensuring that the Operations contractor is operating in accordance within the appropriate Housing Consumer Standards. Finally, the post holder will work collaborative and effective manner the Director of Housing and Homelessness providing necessary and timely housing technical advice and positively contribute to the overall strategic management of the Housing service and its links to the service and strategic objectives of the Stronger Safer Communities Directorate.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead the Client team in ensuring that the necessary housing asset management plan, stock condition, annual client housing service delivery plan, and HRA BP are kept up to date and appropriate to meet the Councils strategic, operational, and compliance objectives.
• Ensure the Operations Team are meeting all necessary compliance needs including Health and safety at work requirements Building regulations where appropriate, gas safety, asbestos inspections and management, water safety management, fire safety, and electrical and lift inspections.
• In conjunction with the Housing Operations team agree and regularly review all necessary key performance indicators to ensure robust effective performance in the delivery of housing day to day capital works programmes and compliance objectives.
• In conjunction with housing operations set the annual day to day and capital works budget and endure the effective and timely budget monitoring processes are in place and complied with to deliver schemes on time and within the budget envelope as approved by Cabinet.
• Agree and set out the necessary compliance data capture and reporting profiles for all compliance matters being delivered by housing Operations, ensuring timely reporting details to CMT and Cabinet as required or directed by the Director of Housing and Homelessness.
• Ensure the necessary strategic documentation including the Asset Management plan and revised HRA BP are kept up to date and appropriate.
• Provide a consultancy service support as an expert leader on all aspects of housing technical client services as required and necessary and ensure the necessary timely and effective procurement of consultancy services where necessary and in conjunction with Housing Operations where appropriate.
• Ensure that Housing Operations are directed and monitored effectively to complete all necessary inspections, and surveys in accordance with Client requirements and objectives.
• Ensure Housing Operations provide necessary actions in accordance with necessary statutory, and regulatory needs and in accordance with client housing policies and the operational needs of the service.
• In Conjunction with the Housing Operations team ensure that the necessary customer and stakeholder feedback is achieved through timely and effective independent consultation and that the necessary reporting and feedback is completed and presented to CMT and Cabinet.
• Ensure all necessary policy and procedures relating to the effective operation of the Housing Technical Client Services are reviewed and kept up to date as necessary.
• Ensure the necessary technical service training plan and personal development needs are reviewed annually to ensure competent and professional staff are employed always.
• The post holder is a member of the Housing Senior Leadership Team and wider Stronger Safer Communities Directorate in so far as client Housing technical Services are concerned a senior appropriately qualified professional who may deputise for the Director of Housing and Homelessness as required.
• To identify, Technical Housing Client Service priorities and develop innovative ideas and opportunities to improve service delivery
• Lead on the linking of the Client Service to the Council Vision and Swindon Plan objectives with the Housing and Stronger Safer Communities
• Ensuring the priorities of the Housing Technical Client Team are delivered by the Operations team by effectively supporting, specifying and commissioning of services including capital and compliance programmes work
• Develop and lead on a performance and quality assurance framework for the housing client function service.
• Research and where appropriate guide and direct external funding opportunities that support improved service the overall housing technical service objectives.
• Ensure that the Operations contract objectives and delivery of maintenance and capital investment is achieved in accordance with Client objectives and in a safe ad compliant manner.
• To lead specific Housing Client project work in relation to the Council's investment priorities specifically in relation to major investment priorities and decisions.
• Lead, develop and promote a culture of professionalism of all Technical Client Housing staff, contributing to the development of a strategic approach to staff learning and development within the service area.
• Lead on developing the co-regulatory framework between the Housing Service and customers to comply with any new legislation and the Housing consumer standards.
• To be the principal point of contact for the Housing Regulator in all aspects of housing client technical services and with the Director of Housing and Homelessness hold accountability for Council compliance with the Regulator in respect to the Consumer standards and other appropriate regulations.
• To review performance in relation the Operations Housing delivery plan including the timely and appropriate review and performance regarding customer complaints.
• To work closely with the Housing Ombudsman, regularly reviewing themes arising from complaints escalated to and lessons learned from the Ombudsman Service.
• Provide direction and insight to enable the cross-directorate communication plan and resident communication strategy.
• To ensure work with statutory and voluntary agencies as relevant and to represent Housing Technical Client Service at any case conferences, panels, Policy Committees, Cabinet and CMT meetings to give advice on housing technical client services and draft and present reports as required
• Negotiate client priorities across appropriate delivery teams
• To ensure the delivery of a timely and professional Information and Systems service that provides bespoke reporting for the operational requirements of all the Housing Technical Client side delivery needs working in conjunction with appropriate officer supporting the implementation of the NEC Housing system.
• To work with all relevant statutory bodies to represent Council policy and service objectives including compliance activities and performance
• Manage formal responses to Members of Parliament, Members of the Council and the public and ensure the replies are sent within the targets set by the service and Council.
• Lead on the setting and collecting of agreed performance targets, including any Government returns and benchmarking
• Manage all applicable budgets and control expenditure strictly in accordance with delegated authority and the Council's Financial Regulations
• Recruit, motivate and develop staff within the Client team to maintain an effective workforce capable of meeting the service and Council's Swindon Plan objectives.
• To represent the Housing Client Technical Service at a strategic level at formal meetings relating to Client service performance and objectives as directed.
• Participate in equality and diversity training, information briefings and events as and when required as part of continuous professional development
• Promote equality and diversity best practice in all areas of the Client team activities.
• Ensure that any identified personnel training needs are discussed with the Director of Housing and Homelessness including being appraised in accordance with the Council's Performance Appraisal scheme.
• Undertaking any other duties that you are directed to complete.
Skills/Experience:
• Candidates must have substantial knowledge and experience in the following areas of business and will be required to provide evidence of this:
• Senior Head of Service role within a housing organisation preferably within a Local Authority environment.
• Significant experience of managing complex budgets and knowledge of the HRA Business Plan Process.
• Deep expertise in their area, in addition to deep knowledge of policy issues in social housing and particularly housing Technical services emerging trends in regulation and compliance.
• Ability to scan the long-term horizon and understand implications of broader national, regional and local government trends for the service area.
• Ability to conduct systematic reviews of the application of risk management policies, procedures, and systems across the service area and of making evidence-based recommendations on appropriate improvements or amendments to achieve service objectives.
• A proven commitment and established knowledge and experience in respect of the provision of excellent housing Technical client services working and engaging service users in the service development journey.
• Significant experience of managing professional staff in a senior role.
• Strong organisational and political awareness, drawing on experience of working with elected members and interest groups to build consensus and shape services.
• Report writing and presenting reports.
• Significant experience of working with tenant and resident groups and understanding their needs.
• Ability to influence and change behaviour, inspiring others to work toward a vision, through effective relationships building across the Directorate and wider organisation.
• Strong influencing skills at all levels.
• Innovative and ability to recognise and develop potential for doing things differently.
• Experience of equal opportunity issues.
• Experience of Microsoft packages and operational knowledge of a landlord information system application and the NEC Housing system environment.
• Management Qualification.
• Decision Making.
• Managing and making decisions on processes and procedures and implementation of policies.
• Management of staff and allocation of complex workload.
• Recommendations of policy changes to Cabinet Member and Director of Housing and Homelessness.
• Staff recruitment.
• Changes to working practices.
• Contract management.
• Creativity and Innovation.
• Improving practices and performance.
• Communications to customers.
• Staff development.
• Delivering and commissioning affordable housing development.
• Managing a Transformation Plan.
• Drafting key housing technical service strategies.
• Delivery methods for communications.
• Operational and strategic management of the Housing Client service Function.
• Day to day management of Housing Client Technical Services Team.
• Delivery of service improvement projects across housing Client services and into the Operational service contract environment.
• Monitoring and delivery and review of the Asset Management Plan.
Additional Information:
• Professionally qualified Chartered Surveyor.
• Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
• Current Driving Licence.
Requirements
• Candidates must have substantial knowledge and experience in the following areas of business and will be required to provide evidence of this: • Senior Head of Service role within a housing organisation preferably within a Local Authority environment. • Significant experience of managing complex budgets and knowledge of the HRA Business Plan Process. • Deep expertise in their area, in addition to deep knowledge of policy issues in social housing and particularly housing Technical services emerging trends in regulation and compliance. • Ability to scan the long-term horizon and understand implications of broader national, regional and local government trends for the service area. • Ability to conduct systematic reviews of the application of risk management policies, procedures, and systems across the service area and of making evidence-based recommendations on appropriate improvements or amendments to achieve service objectives. • A proven commitment and established knowledge and experience in respect of the provision of excellent housing Technical client services working and engaging service users in the service development journey. • Significant experience of managing professional staff in a senior role. • Strong organisational and political awareness, drawing on experience of working with elected members and interest groups to build consensus and shape services. • Report writing and presenting reports. • Significant experience of working with tenant and resident groups and understanding their needs. • Ability to influence and change behaviour, inspiring others to work toward a vision, through effective relationships building across the Directorate and wider organisation. • Strong influencing skills at all levels. • Innovative and ability to recognise and develop potential for doing things differently. • Experience of equal opportunity issues. • Experience of Microsoft packages and operational knowledge of a landlord information system application and the NEC Housing system environment. • Management Qualification. • Decision Making. • Managing and making decisions on processes and procedures and implementation of policies. • Management of staff and allocation of complex workload. • Recommendations of policy changes to Cabinet Member and Director of Housing and Homelessness. • Staff recruitment. • Changes to working practices. • Contract management. • Creativity and Innovation. • Improving practices and performance. • Communications to customers. • Staff development. • Delivering and commissioning affordable housing development. • Managing a Transformation Plan. • Drafting key housing technical service strategies. • Delivery methods for communications. • Operational and strategic management of the Housing Client service Function. • Day to day management of Housing Client Technical Services Team. • Delivery of service improvement projects across housing Client services and into the Operational service contract environment. • Monitoring and delivery and review of the Asset Management Plan.