Job title: Responsive Repairs & Voids Senior Service Manager

Salary: PO6 £51,356.00 - £54,495.00

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds Building Services – LS14 1NZ

Leeds Building Services (LBS) is the in-house service provider for construction, repairs and maintenance works across the Council. The service currently delivers Responsive Repairs, Maintenance and Planned Works to homes across various parts of the City and Council Assets across 800 sites including Schools, the Civic Estate, Offices, Sports and Leisure Centers and Children’s Homes across the Authority.

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Responsive Repairs & Voids Senior Service Manager to lead the delivery of a high-performing repairs service. This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing large operational teams, driving service performance and ensuring excellent outcomes for customers through a combination of directly employed trade operatives and specialist subcontractor partners.

As an RR & V Senior Service Manager, you will work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders, champion equality, diversity and inclusion, and help shape the future direction of the service. You will play a vital role in delivering safe, efficient and customer-focused repairs services that make a real difference to residents across Leeds.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As our ideal RR & V Senior Service Manager, you will bring:

Significant experience in leading large-scale responsive repairs, maintenance or housing operations services.
Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop operational teams, creating a positive culture focused on performance, accountability and customer service excellence.
Experience managing both directly employed trade operatives and external contractors/subcontractors to deliver high-quality services safely, efficiently and within budget.
Strong financial management skills, including monitoring, forecasting and performance analysis.
Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across services and with key stakeholders.
A sound understanding of health and safety legislation and compliance requirements within a repairs environment.
Knowledge of asbestos-related responsibilities and wider statutory compliance requirements.
Experience of working constructively with Trade Unions and managing employee relations matters.
A track record of monitoring service performance, identifying opportunities for improvement and delivering positive operational change.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking service at the heart of housing maintenance delivery in Leeds.

As our next Responsive Repairs & Voids Senior Service Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Council's responsive repairs to tenanted homes. You will lead a workforce of directly employed operatives, supervisors and managers, alongside specialist subcontractors, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

You will be responsible for driving performance across repairs operations, ensuring properties are maintained effectively and customers receive an excellent service. You will oversee operational finances, workforce planning, contractor performance, compliance and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring the service meets legal, regulatory and Council requirements.

This role offers the opportunity to influence service delivery at scale, lead transformational improvements and contribute directly to the Council's commitment to providing safe, quality homes and public buildings across Leeds.

The role is integral to our team and to helping make Leeds a better place for everyone.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering an excellent employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
Starting Salary Negotiable dependent on experience
The opportunity to lead a large-scale operational service that has a direct impact on residents, communities and Council assets across Leeds.

How to apply

Complete the online application form.

Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.

For an informal chat about the role please email LBS.Recruitment@Leeds.gov.ukwho will make arrangements with you to have a call with Amanda Douglas-Smith, Commercial Operational Service Manager of Leeds Building Services.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To successfully lead and manage the operational repairs and voids sections in order to meet legal and regulatory requirements as well as Council policies and requirements. To achieve high levels of efficiency, cost effectiveness, compliance and quality, ensuring maximum performance in accordance with the targets, standards and policies of the Council. To ensure overall value for money is achieved through the effective management of internal and external service providers.

Responsibilities

Develop and deliver a strategic business improvement plan for Leeds Building Services focussing on a range of activities which will deliver Value for Money services to customers and contribute to the delivery of Council priorities.
Ensure the organisation is compliant with all required standards to discharge the required services.
Ensure that an appropriate auditing and monitoring regime is in place to provide evidence that the Council is taking proportionate steps to manage risks and ensure employees are kept up to date with appropriate standards and delivering the highest level of standards.
Responsible for ensuring that all works undertaken within the department are recorded accurately and are invoiced in a timely manner and any disputes resolved taking into account commercial impact.
Be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area working within financial regulations and council policies.
Maintain appropriate systems to monitor and control costs and maintain financial and performance benchmarking systems to ensure value for money can be demonstrated in the delivery of the service.
Develop effective relationships with other Council Directorates, external partners and agencies to ensure effective revenue and capital investment is achieved.
Provide clear, visible, motivational management to create a high performance culture which drives continuous improvement and efficiency savings capable of delivering Service priorities.
To undertake daily line management duties of staff within the team in accordance with all council policies and procedures ensuring that staff records are maintained using the appropriate documentation and associated guidance.
Provide suitable interpretation and technical advice to the Leadership Team, Managers, staff and other stakeholders.
Actively drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to cross Council projects and collaborative working with partners.
Develop and implement rigorous and effective performance management processes to drive forward service improvements, including managing, monitoring and reporting on service performance standards.
Provide appropriate strategic advice relating to the work of Leeds Building Services to Elected Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.
Deputise for the Head of Leeds Building Services commensurate to the grade on an ad hoc basis in representing the City on council issues seeking to influence partners, government and other key regional and national stakeholders.
Maintain a high level of personal effectiveness and uphold and promote the name and reputation of Leeds City Council and operate in accordance with the Leeds City Council code of Conduct and Staff Guide.
Ensure that Business Continuity and risk management procedures are in place in Leeds Building Services.
Advise on and ensure compliance with the council’s governance framework, Contract Procedure Rules, Financial Procedure Rules, relevant legislation, internal procedures, and statutory undertakings.
Plan, organise, co-ordinate, deliver and control and monitor work in the area of commercial management.
Contribute to the management and business planning of the unit, including the planning and programming of work, liaison with customers, contribution of new business proposals, overseeing the research and analysis required to formulate service, financial and resource plans and continuous improvement.
Contribute at a senior level to the preparation and maintenance of a schedule of resources to enable the efficient reporting of benefits and risk.
Lead the delivery of key areas of work, ensuring that strategic priorities are delivered successfully to a high standard.
To manage the maintenance, development and effective use of ICT systems.
To manage the maintenance and development of existing and new processes and policies with the service.
To keep up to date and lead on best practice and new technologies in relation to effective business and commercial management.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
To participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events.
Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications:

Degree, HNC or HND Level qualification in relevant service area or equivalent relevant demonstrable experience.

Essential requirements: It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Ability to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Ability to communicate effectively using a variety of formats with a wide range of people including colleagues within the service and across the council, Trade Unions, internal/external partners, agencies, customers and the general public dealing with all contact in a professional manner.
Ability to manage and support staff contributing to their development through appraisal, supervision and training, enabling them to feel motivated and engaged in the values, vision and direction of the service, promoting the values of the Council through appropriate behaviour and professionalism.
Able to demonstrate organisational and time management skills prioritising own and team’s work whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
To be able to establish and maintain professional business relationships with contractors and suppliers.
To be able to drive a culture through the team that is focussed both on customers and quality.
Ability to manage staff to ensure work is diligently carried out and that deadlines are met.
Ability to communicate with managers confidently, persuasively and authoritatively.
Ability to analyse and interpret varied and complex information or situations and produce solutions or strategies to difficult problems.
The ability to communicate orally or in writing complex and contentious information and issues with a wide range of audiences.
Ability to work flexibly and demonstrate a commitment to developing a consistent approach.
Challenges negative behaviour and systems in a proactive manor in order to bring about corrective action.
Promotes high standards at all times and ensures fairness and equality within the workplace.
Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
Ability to effectively construct manage and control budgets and use and apply statistical techniques to interpret and manage contract control.
Project management skills and the ability to manage a number of projects simultaneously
Excellent IT, literacy, numeracy and analytical skills.
A detailed knowledge of building regulations, landlord’s responsibilities and legal duties in order to meet statutory requirements.
Excellent understanding of the practical application of legislative requirements within an operational setting.
Detailed knowledge of contract management and how it relates to the service area.
Extensive knowledge of building services maintenance.
A management qualification or equivalent experience.
Evidence of continual professional development.
A thorough knowledge of Health and Safety legislation, and practice (including Asbestos) and the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015.
A sound understanding of social housing and government policy including current issues affecting the sector.
A good commercial knowledge and an understanding of modern methods of procurement and procurement legislation as well as effective contract management procedures.
Knowledge of project management methodology.
Understanding of financial regulations and contract procedure rules.
Experience of successful management/leadership of a repair and/or void operational service.
Experience of business and commercial development and of leading successful change management programmes which reflect service needs.
Experience of working with and negotiating with trade unions.
Experience of working within a political environment.
Experience of developing and managing budgets and financial forecasts in accordance with Financial Regulations.
Experience of managing and contributing to delivery within complex environments involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
Experience in promoting, leading and implementing improvement activity that improves service quality and supports a culture that drives up standards and performance.
Experience in managing and monitoring performance, setting clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance.
Effective working within a partnership environment.
Budget preparation and management in accordance with Financial Regulations.
Report writing and presentation to Director level.
Experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships with senior managers and other key stakeholders across a range of service areas.
Experience of managing competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of
Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable Requirements: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

To manage procurement exercises to achieve excellent results.
A driving license would be advantageous for this role.
Relevant trade qualifications.
Membership of a professional body i.e. RICS building surveying.
A relevant project management qualification.
Experience of procurement of both large and small contracts within the public sector.
Experience of operational management within the public and/or private sector.