JOB DESCRIPTION – HOUSING MANAGER

1. Job Title: Housing Manager

2. Reports To: Chief Executive

3. Responsible for: Housing Team

4. Job purpose:

To be responsible for the day to day operational management of the Housing Management Service, inc Tenancy, Income and Arrears Management and Anti-Social Behaviour.

·  Ensure properties are let efficiently, maximising the income we collect from current and former clients

·  To develop and implement new ideas and practices in order to drive forward service improvement across all areas managed, ensuring that where appropriate good practice is reflected in all that the Services strives to achieve.

·  Understand the Government strategy around health, housing & work and advise the CEO.

·  To work with the CEO to identify and implement ‘best practice’ and innovative solutions to achieve accreditations and to work towards continuous improvement.

·  To develop, embed and promote resident involvement both within the service and with residents.

·  To represent the Housing Service at both internal and external partner and stakeholder meetings.

·  To provide effective cover in the absence of other Team Managers.

·  To be a member of the out-of-hours call rota, responding to calls and attendance on site as necessary.

The Housing Manager is expected to lead the team proactively, acting as a role model to motivate the team to work innovatively and effectively.

To represent Stonepillow positively and professionally at all times.

5. Main Responsibilities:

·  To support the CEO in ensuring effective performance of the Housing Management Department, ensuring the Department operates within statutory and regulatory guidelines and good procedures.

·  To report weekly to the CEO on performance and compliance of the Housing Team on policies, procedures and processes.

·  To manage the Housing Team, ensuring the delivery of high quality services to clients and the wider community.

·  To ensure clients have clear and readily available information which allows them to access our services easily.

·  To manage and monitor the Housing budget, ensuring the service delivers value for money and operates within agreed cost constraints.

·  To ensure optimum performance of the Housing Team to maximize the rental income of Stonepillow and to satisfy internal audit, our legal obligations and regulatory requirements.

·  To operate within approved levels of authority.

·  Explore initiatives in more details and create opportunities for Stonepillow’s income growth.

·  To demonstrate detailed knowledge of the Landlord & Tenants Acts 1985 and 1987, Leasehold Reform Act 2002 and other legislative best practices.

·  Develop increased understanding and knowledge of how to engage with client groups and prospective employers to overcome barriers to accessing work and housing.

6.  Repairs & Maintenance

·  You will be asked to take lead responsibility for recording all maintenance requests and to effectively deliver a ‘hotline’ service to tenants.

·  You will be required to co-ordinate repairs using set procedures and ensuring these are effectively carried out within the service level agreements.

·  Develop a list of approved contractors and regularly monitor the service delivery of contractors.

·  Prior to inception of the lease, ensure that all properties comply with regulatory requirements (eg fire risk, electrical test, gas safety certificates, EPC’s building insurances etc), copies of all documents to be retained on file.

·  When appropriate, obtain an inventory from the Landlord for furnishes properties and retain on file.

7.  Work with Local Authorities, Private Landlords & Clients

·  Working with each Local Authority and private landlords to continue the development of the service.

·  Responding to each Local Authority’s requests for management information, statistics etc.

·  Supporting the clients in learning to become ‘good tenants’.

·  Taking a lead in the selection of tenants with other tenants of the house and other staff as appropriate.

·  Negotiating with Stonepillow staff about the provision of Tenancy agreements, explaining them to clients and assisting in helping them to move in.

8. Staff Management

·  To supervise individual staff members enabling personal and professional development, identifying training needs, monitoring performance, support and dealing with issues relating to performance and conduct.

·  To manage performance if individuals and the team as a whole in line with agreed performance measures and targets.

·  To develop and maintain appropriate performance reports which ensure effective performance management across key service areas and help to drive continuous improvement.

·  To pro-actively work with other teams and departments within Stonepillow to ensure the Association meets its aims and objectives through operational and strategic plans and project based work.

9. General

·  To work constructively with other organisations and agencies to ensure the delivery of excellent services and ensure continuous improvement and value for money e.g. community safety and the Common Housing Register.

·  To liaise with and ensure effective use of solicitors, community mediation, police, local agencies and any other relevant bodies.

·  Monitor and manage relevant leases, tenancies and the performance of contractors, e.g. grounds maintenance, service charge services etc.

·  To report to the CeO, Senior Management Team and Board as necessary.

·  To ensure service charges are reviewed annually in accordance with the Association’s policy and procedure.

·  Work with the Chief Executive and other members of the Senior Management Team to maintain a flexible, effective, value for money structure which allows a range of tenants, respondents and other service users to positively influence the way Stonepillow operates.

10. Creation, Monitoring & Management of Policy and Internal/External Liaison

·  Draft Policies and Procedures etc for the service, also contributing to the formulation of policy as the occasion arises.

·  Develop and maintain a wide range of contacts with relevant statutory and voluntary agencies.

·  Maintain an effective and productive working relationship with care providers, support agencies, contractual partners and advocates to ensure that a co-ordinated housing management service is provided to tenants.

11. Equal Opportunities

·  Ensure compliance with the organisation’s Equal Opportunities policy and relevant legislation.

12. Data Protection

·  Work within our Data Protection Policy and an agreed confidentiality policy with protocols governing information sharing

13. Health and Safety & Data Protection

·  Ensure compliance with and the promotion of the organisation’s Health & Safety policies and legislation.

·  Undertake risk assessments of communal facilities and working practices to comply with Health & Safety legislation/regulations and the Disability Discrimination Act.

Appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Criminal Records Bureau

Signed ……………………………………. Date…………………………………………

Person Specification

Requirement /

Essential/Desirable

Education and Experience:
1.  Educated to A level standard or equivalent / Essential
2.  Demonstrable experience of working at a senior level within a Social Housing environment and proven track record in the delivery of operational housing services. / Essential
3.  Demonstrable experience of managing staff dealing with Anti Social Behaviour and leading on initiatives to present and reduce this. / Essential
4.  Experience of engaging and working with resident Groups and having a full understanding of the requirements of the TSA framework. / Essential
5.  Demonstrable experience of managing rent and arrears recovery processes and leading on appropriate legal actions in terms of income recovery. / Essential
6.  Experience of developing and sustaining successful and productive interagency working for the benefit of all customers. / Essential
7.  Knowledge of current housing issues and legislation / Essential
8.  Proficiency in critical and presentation of financial and management information. / Desirable
9.  Experience of managing leasehold services, including a full understanding of appropriate legislation and consultation requirements. / Essential

Vision and Leadership

10.  Demonstrable ability to instigate change and able to develop service objectives from strategy, ensuring teams are motivated and employee development is linked to service needs. / Essential
11.  Commitment to equality and diversity, identifying service strategies to deliver equitable and fair services for users and employees, challenging discriminatory practices and actively managing and promoting diversity. / Essential
12.  Demonstrable ability to lead on the strategic development of the service, using a range of information on future trends to set measurable performance objectives. / Desirable
Personal Impact
13.  Excellent communication, negotiation, consultation and influencing skills tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of audiences and stakeholders. / Essential
14.  Ability to build sound and productive working relationships with colleagues, partners and staff groups and can engage others in a credible, persuasive way. / Essential
15.  Good attention to detail in all aspects of the role / Essential
Service Delivery
16.  Evidence of commitment to, and ability to provide, a culture of continuous improvement and proven track record in the successful development and implementation of fundamental improvement/change programmes, ensuring business plans are focused and meet service requirements. / Essential
17.  Able to develop objective resource plans to meet the needs of the service, setting realistic budgets and developing ways of using information. / Essential
18.  You will need to demonstrate an understanding of working directly with vulnerable people; this can include tenants with learning disabilities, mental health problems, physical disabilities, ill health, behavioural issues, domestic violence and homeless / Essential
General
18. You will need to be IT literate with good verbal and writing skills / Essential
19. Own car and driving licence / Essential

Signed …………………………………….. Date …………………………………….