About Us
Choosing to work at Stef & Philips is about more than just having a job. All members of our team share the same goal: to help improve the lives of vulnerable people around the UK, by delivering safe, suitable homes and vital services for the homeless, backed by investors who care. This people-centred ethos is reflected in our company culture; we prioritise wellbeing, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
Our Journey so Far
Stef & Philips began life in 2006 as a traditional family-run lettings agent, servicing private tenants and landlords in North London. But the UK’s urgent need for good quality social housing had a profound impact on our Founder and CEO, Chris Philippou. In 2012 he acted on that need, and we now operate UK-wide with over 3800 accommodation units, 5500 tenants and counting.
By bringing together private investors, local authorities, charities and housing associations in a spirit of trust and a shared commitment to improving tenants’ lives, we’ve created a versatile, end-to-end model that delivers fit-for-purpose accommodation and services – a setting where people can begin to thrive again. Our full service approach is unique. All work is carried out by dedicated in-house teams to ensure reliable, high-quality service.
The process begins with private or institutional investors looking for a positive social impact. Once we’ve helped them to source and acquire the right property, our construction arm remodels and refurbishes it to our exacting quality standards. We also sign a lease with the investor to handle lettings, management and maintenance, while protecting their capital and yields.
We believe everyone deserves a safe place to call home and right now though the UK’s housing crisis is getting worse, with homelessness forecast to double over the next 25 years. We’re committed to changing that trend, combining profit with purpose.
Our roots as a family business remain at the core of who we are, as do the values that go with it, and our commitment to helping vulnerable people get the housing help they need.
The Role
The successful candidate will support Stef & Philips with managing the Utilities & Council Tax team, setting up and managing utility accounts, and dealing with enquiries. They will have knowledge of welfare rights and current energy legislations and will have the ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines. Experience working as part of a team is essential, with management experience desirable, alongside excellent communication skills and experience of working with Microsoft Office packages and database systems.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
* Manage the day-to-day running of both the Utility & Council Tax department
* Be the first point of contact for all Utilities and Council Tax queries within the team
* Ensure all processes and procedures are implemented to a high standard and the team are following all guidelines set
* Find the best energy prices in the market and secure favourable contracts
* Keep up to date with the current energy market, having a good understanding of all new legislation and available government assistance
* Build relationships with suppliers and maintain a professional working relationship
* Effectively manage, resolve, and respond to resident and client complaints
* Ensure all bills are thoroughly checked and signed off, keeping in line with current contracts, price bands and company policies
* Work closely with accounts payable to maintain accurate and precise record keeping, being the first point of contact in answering any payment or billing queries
* Ensure the accuracy and consistency of all records, databases and spreadsheets
* Provide timely and high quality written and verbal communications to residents, clients, and the senior leadership team
* Ensure the whole portfolio has a constant supply of gas and electric, liaising with energy companies and our inhouse maintenance team
* Reconcile company credit cards that have been used for utility payments and provide all receipts to accounts
* Manage any gas leaks or disconnected meters and resolve as necessary
* Undertake database analysis and research to produce reports as required
* Prepare and present the quarterly utilities meeting with senior leadership, ensuring all information presented is accurate and reflective of the department
* Liaise with other managers regarding day-to-day operational issues that may arise and working collectively to resolve them
* Monitor all utility accounts that contain pre-payment meters, ensuring a consistent level of credit is maintained
* Manage all landlord submeters (900) and provide support where necessary to ensure all tenants have the means and knowledge to top up
* Comply with S&P policies and to carry out any duties that may reasonably be required considering the main purpose of the post
Skills & Knowledge
* Strong administration, organisational, prioritisation, and numerical skills
* Exceptional attention to detail and enjoy a varied workload
* Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and maintain appropriate professional boundaries
* Ability to work effectively in a high-pressured environment
* Proficient in the use of MS Office including Excel, Outlook and Word
* Strong team ethic, with the proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a team or independently at all levels
* Working on own initiative without close supervision
* Working flexibly in responding to the varying demands of the role to achieve agreed outcomes
Ideal but not Essential
* Managed a team
Benefits
* 23 days leave, plus bank holidays
* Additional holiday days for long service – up to 28 days
* Celebration of tenure:
* 3 years £500
* 5 years £1000
* 10 years £5000
* Birthday off
* One well-being day off per year
* Maternity/Paternity Pay
* Pension schemes increase – after 2 years.
* Mental health & wellbeing training through the charity Mind
* Professional Emergency First Aid at work training
* £500 referral scheme for staff who refer a new employee, paid upon passing probation.
* Company payday lunch
* Daily Fresh fruit
Diversity & Inclusion
Stef & Philips is built on acceptance, respect, and inclusion, where everyone feels that they belong and can make a meaningful contribution. We encourage applicants regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family, or parental status. If you need any assistance or accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know.
We’d be delighted if you tick off all our boxes, but we also believe it’s just as important we tick all of yours. If you think you have most of what we’re looking for but not everything, go ahead and apply. We’d still love to hear from you!
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