Head of Service - Housing Operations

Offering flexible new ways of agile working with the Council Offices based at Princes Road, Maldon available as required.DescriptionThis is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate, dynamic and forward-thinking leader to join Maldon District Council’s well-established housing team in this Head of Service role.Working at the Council enables you to be part of an organisation which is proud to deliver high-quality, customer focused services. Our success comes from us being commercially astute and business-like. Continuous improvement is also vital, and we challenge ourselves to develop new and innovative ways to improve the services that make a real difference to people’s lives.This position is offered with excellent terms and conditions of employment including access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, generous annual leave entitlement and flexible working opportunities.We are looking for an experienced housing professional who has a keen understanding of the statutory duties delivered across our highly skilled teams: Housing Allocations, Homeless Prevention and Disabled Facilities Grants. The post holder will need to be self-motivated, a highly personable individual with excellent communication skills and eye for detail. We expect you to have a clear understanding of current issues along with the longer-term opportunities and challenges for housing, as well as a strong commitment to deliver projects and drive forward service improvements. A passion for housing needs to be matched with pragmatism and political acumen to secure the best outcomes amidst a complex and fast changing landscape. As persuasion and partnership are a key part of this role, you will need to be an effective and personable communicator, capable of bringing others on board and effecting behavioural change.About this roleAs Head of Housing Operations:You must have…A degree or equivalent qualification in Housing.Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.Evidence of significant post-qualification experience in a similar or related role.An ability to demonstrate effective leadership experience.Knowledge and understanding of the full range of housing functions.Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation.Experience of successfully leading, developing, and motivating a team.Experience of working with teams across an organisation providing technical mentoring and support.Experience of contract management, partnership working and managing service level agreements.Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience of delivering communications to a wide range of audiences.You will be expected to:Oversee day-to-day operations of the housing teams: Housing Allocations, Homeless Prevention and Disabled Facilities Grants.Develop strategies for achieving Affordable Housing targets and meet short-term needs for Temporary Accommodation.Devise and lead on successful bids for grant funding.Support negotiations of S106 agreements and other opportunities that can secure affordable or specialist housing through the planning process.Be responsible for ensuring quality of decision making and compliance with national and local policies and legislation.Deliver commercial projects that bring forward affordable housing in the district.Develop effective and robust partnerships with agencies, other authorities and housing providers to achieve positive outcomes that meet the needs of current and future residents and maximise the use of existing housing stock.Work with the Planning & Implementation service and housing partners to identify and evidence the district’s housing need, for inclusion in the Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) and other related policies and guidance.Support the Council’s Emergency Planning functions, acting as the subject matter expert in relation to Housing.Exercise delegated functions in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of delegations, and in so doing ensure compliance with the Council’s Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Health and Safety requirements, including homelessness decisions, homelessness prevention, operation of the Councils Housing Register and Disabled Facilities Grants.This is an exceptional opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking local authority based in Maldon, an area which boasts an enviable quality of life and stunning countryside, yet within easy reach of London. We promote a professionalwork environment with a focus on self-development, innovation, and collaborative working.If this interests you, we look forward to receiving your application.In return we offer you an attractive salary package with local government benefits along with the opportunity to workin a beautiful rural district steeped in history and heritage.Please note this role will be subject to a Basic DBS CheckFor an informal discussion about this positionFor further information about the role, please contact Hannah Wheatley 01621 732646 or email ##### or download and read the job description .Please note: All interview notifications will be sent via e-mail. Please ensure you provide an e-mail address so that we can make contact with you.It is Council policy not to respond to applicants who have not been shortlisted for interview. Therefore should you not hear from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful.Guidance notes for applicants and further documents are available here .In addition to a competitive salary you will be entitled to participate in the Local Government Pension Scheme, cycle to work scheme, salary sacrifice car lease scheme and will benefit from free parking in the Council Office car park. You will also be entitled to discounted local gym membership and payment of one annual professional fee (if applicable). You will also have access to a range of work/life balance policies.As part of any recruitment process, the Council collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. The Council is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. For more information please see the Council’s Privacy Notice to understand your rights.Maldon District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Disclosure and Barring checks will be undertaken according to the responsibilities of the role.We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, culture and experience. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, sex, disability, marital status and other protected characteristics.
#J-18808-Ljbffr