Job title: Team Leader Salary: SO2 £36,124 to £37,938 Hours: 37 hours Contract: 1 Full Time permanent position Location: Offices within Retirement LIFE schemes citywide and Merrion House (hybrid). Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees. Retirement LIFE – ‘Living in a Friendly Environment’ is at the heart of the services we deliver, using person centred Better Conversations principles to ‘work with’ older people to support their health and well-being. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions. About you As a Team Leader, you will bring to the role: Excellent communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with residents, colleagues, elected members, and other partners. A passion for supporting older people to live independently, with the ability to challenge and drive change. Ability to use own initiative and take ownership of operational issues to deliver an effective and efficient service to our customers. About the role This is an exciting opportunity to join the Retirement LIFE service within Housing Leeds Older People’s Service. The service has a critical role in supporting our residents to live independently in our 4000 Retirement LIFE properties, delivering housing related support, promoting social interaction and well-being, and maintaining a safe environment for customers. As our next Team Leader, you’ll be fundamental in providing effective support, positive direction, motivation, and supervision to a team of Support Officers who provide a supportive and caring environment to tenants living in Retirement LIFE housing helping them to maintain an independent lifestyle. You will be a strong leader with a ‘can do’ attitude and the ability to manage competing priorities and workloads, be adaptable and responsive to changing needs, with a proven track record of working as part of a team with a strong customer focus. You will have the ability to build strong relationships, working with teams across Housing Leeds to ensure effective management of scheme and operational issues, and create links with other internal and external partners to deliver an excellent service to our customers. You will be supporting the citywide Age Friendly Strategy ambition to make Leeds the Best City to Grow Old in. What we offer you We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including: a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further. How to apply Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Claire Bunyan, Housing Manager 07891 277303 or claire.bunyanleeds.gov.uk. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader. All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period. This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply. Job description Job Purpose: To lead and manage an efficient, customer focused housing management service, in order to maximise performance and seek continuous improvement. Responsibilities: Delivering the overall housing management service within a geographical area or the overall sheltered support service within a geographical area within the Neighbourhood Services area of Older Persons Housing. To work in partnership with other teams and departments to ensure joined up services to tenants and other service users. To line manage and supervise a team of staff including completion of appraisals, one to one’s, in accordance with Council policies and procedures. To develop positive working relationships with key stakeholders including: tenants, applicants and other partner organisations. To take a people-orientated solutions-focussed approach to dealing with customers, quickly and professionally. To ensure value for money in service delivery. To contribute to the delivery service improvement plans. To work with team members to ensure the delivery of high quality services and achievement of performance targets. To contribute to the development, review and improvement of policies and strategies in line with current legislation and best practice. To contribute to the improvement of local service delivery in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders and partners. To be personally effective, demonstrating commitment and time management. Contribute to delivering culture change to achieve focussed and continuously improving services. To promote involvement opportunities to customers. To promote equality and diversity in both employment and service delivery Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes. To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures. Leadership Responsibilities: To demonstrate and embed the Councils values and manager habits to lead, support and drive cultural change. To lead, manage, motivate and develop teams, ensuring that Council policies are understood and To ensure that the team work professionally, competently and in a forward thinking and customer focused way whilst embracing collaborative partnership working to achieve excellence. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post. Qualifications: Appropriate qualifications /Professional Membership or equivalent experience in managing in a housing context PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements. Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate Skills Required Able to communicate with and influence customers and other stakeholders. Ability to lead, motivate and empower staff to achieve positive outcomes. Ability to identify a variety of operational problems, and develop innovative solutions across a full range of housing services. Develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders including members, external and internal partners and residents. Ability to analyse and interpret complex information. Ability to write concise reports, deliver presentations and chair meetings. Competent in the use of IT systems including Microsoft applications. Ability to manage and delegate resources effectively. Able to manage conflicting priorities and adapt to changing circumstances. Ability to work with and consult with trade unions. Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate. Knowledge Required Knowledge of the functions of a comprehensive housing management service. Knowledge of Landlord’s statutory responsibilities. Detailed knowledge of social housing and current issues affecting the sector. Comprehensive knowledge of housing legislation and policies. An awareness of key stakeholders, partners and third sector organisations. Experience Required Experience of contributing to projects and initiatives. Experience of managing resources within defined budgets. Experience of working with residents and members to achieve defined outcomes. Developing service objectives and operational delivery plans. Recognising and challenging inappropriate behaviour. Essential behavioural and other characteristics Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities. Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters. DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates. Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate Experience Required Recent experience of managing teams in a housing related context including motivation and staff development. Working with and consulting with trade unions. Working within a political environment. Apply for this job LI-DNI INT