Swindon Council - Head of Client Technical Services

Job Purpose

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 postholder 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 postholder 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.

• Specifically, you will:? 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 dcumentation 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 ands professional staff are employed at all times.
• 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

If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance.