Head of Property & Estates Maintenance

We’re settle, a resident-focused housing association. Working in communities across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and South Cambridgeshire, we provide more than 23,000 residents in over 10,000 households with a place to call home. There is something special about working here. It’s in the values that shape us and the people that make us – us! And it’s in caring not only about the work we do, but also how we do it. We put residents first.We know that everyone is different, so we ensure that we provide a service that is as individual as each resident.

It is an exciting time to be stepping aboard as Head of Property & Estates Maintenance and moving our property services division to the next stage of excellence. We are looking for strong operational leadership to oversee our in-house repairs team, estates maintenance and empty homes teams all supported by a range of sub-contractor delivery. Ensuring optimal performance delivery and high service standards to ensure we support residents to live comfortably in their homes and surrounding areas.

About you...

You will be someone who is passionate about repairs and maintenance services. You will have a background in leading operational teams and providing brilliant services directly to residents.  You will be able to share your experience with your teams. Making it happen!

Outline of Key Responsibilities...

• Lead on the successful delivery of operations and the delivery against directorate plans and be able to present and communicate these to the wider business
• Ensure the team are getting it right for residents, putting things right if they go wrong and ensuring we implement best practice complaint management in line with the ombudsman complaint handling code.
• Strong cost management skills and working within budgetary constraints. Being able to work closely with finance business partners to ensure financial efficiency and value for money
• Skilled in the use of systems and data for decision making, driving productivity and professionalism in the services we provide and the performance outcomes we need to achieve.
• Ensure a joined-up approach to resolving challenges across the business, enabling operational teams to be basically brilliant. Run effective cross-departmental task and finish groups and be accountable for outcomes that involve teams outside of your direct control.
• Deliver appropriately targeted savings tied to productivity, CSAT and VFM improvement
• Ensure good customer service by taking ownership of continuous improvements and efficiencies.

We are looking for someone who has...

• Demonstrate a successful results-driven approach (customer and commercial excellence) leading direct labour teams as well as supporting subcontractors.
• Budget and forecast excellence and experience in the delivery of expenditure on budget
• Experience in policy and procedure ownership and development
• Understanding and experience of strong operational management and leadership
• Critical thinker with a business intelligence and data approach in decision making
• Be self-motivated and manage a busy and varied workload
• proven track record in delivering transformational change within a repairs services setting

In return, we are offering...

• A competitive salary per annum
• Hybrid working role-dependant
• Flexible working
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Annual Leave - 27 days per year increasing by length of service (up to 32 days)
• Stakeholder pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Healthcare cash plan
• Local discounts
• Mental health support and counselling sessions

"At settle we operate a no closing date policy and evaluate candidates upon application. Therefore please apply without delay."

Our Commitment 

Our culture at settle is inclusive and celebrates the differences in everyone. We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of today’s society. We would like to encourage applicants from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; disabled people, people who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from global majority communities.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required so you can fully participate in the recruitment process.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a Basic Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.