Senior Property Procurement Officer

Role purpose
To have responsibility for managing officers to delivery of the procurement service in a legal, ethical, and accountable manner in line with all current legislation and health and safety laws and regulations, including hand back process ensuring transparency and maximising renewal.
To contribute to effective acquisition of accommodation, monitoring contracts and validating payments of fees and other contractual charges new and existing accommodation suppliers
To work with the Property & Place Manager & Procurement Manager to ensure that schemes and projects deliver sufficient accommodation, in line with the prevention of homelessness, the provision of temporary accommodation and move on from temporary accommodation into the private rented sector; with the aim of reducing households in costly temporary accommodation.
Responsibilities
To work with management and contribute to the development, review and implementation of the Property Procurement Strategy and TA Reduction Programme for the procurement of properties required for homelessness prevention, temporary accommodation and move on into the private rented sector.
To carry out and arrange site inspections to assess the suitability of properties which may be included in accommodation schemes, and produce detailed site notes on the physical condition and suitability of properties.
To work with the Property & Place Manger & Procurement Manager on project management of all accommodation schemes in development, including Housing Association Leasing, Rent Guarantee Schemes, Empty Dwellings initiatives, private rented sector schemes and such schemes as shall be devised, supervising officers to operationalise schemes as required.
To be responsible for the monitoring and validation of invoices for the payment of fees and other contractual charges and all other payments made by the Property Procurement Team and producing reports for Property & Place Manager and Procurement Manager as required.
To undertake appropriate liaison with owners, landlords, managing agents, surveyors, Valuers, estate agents, Registered Social Landlords and other professional bodies on matters relating to the development of accommodation to work with the Property & Place Manager and Social Lettings Agency Manager to increase supply
To implement measures for effective move-on from costly temporary accommodation into affordable private rented accommodation and social lets via Home finder, as a point of contact. Ensuring void properties are let efficiently, minimising the use of B&B/TA and deal with Move on 'blockages' within the system
To deputise, where delegated, and at an appropriate level commensurate with the role, representing the best interests of the council in a professional manner.
Knowledge & Experience:
The ability to supervise a team of staff developing and maintaining projects to supply accommodation for homeless households.
A working knowledge of housing law relating to security of tenure and homelessness, and the ability to monitor contractual liabilities in relation to the supply and management of accommodation.
The ability to communicate effectively, in writing or verbally, and negotiate with land lords and other agents to procure and manage suitable accommodation.
Previous experience in local authority
Property experience and staff management experience is essential