Head of Asset Management

Salary: Band 15 - £73,968 - £82,671 p.a.

Hours: 37 hours per week

Type: Permanent

We have a fantastic opportunity for an exceptional individual to join us as our Head of Asset Management!

The newly created Head of Asset Management role is within Building Services of the Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services Directorate. The service is responsible for the ongoing repair, maintenance and statutory compliance of our stock of over 15,000 Council homes, 2,000 leasehold properties as well as nearly 900 corporate assets located in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.

The role sits in a new service area within the Directorate and whilst some of the roles are in place, you will play an important role in recruiting to and shaping the new service area, providing strategic leadership, developing and implementing new strategies and policies, and managing a period of significant change.

The majority of our housing stock was constructed in the 1950s and 1960s but we have a diverse portfolio with properties ranging from the Victorian era to new build properties alongside an ongoing development programme consisting of over 500 homes in the pipeline.

Nearly a third of the stock is of non-traditional construction and we have 22 blocks classified as taller buildings under the Building Safety Act. We have recently completed a stock transfer, acquiring over 800 properties expanding our stock holding within Havant, Gosport, Fareham and Winchester.

Due to the stock profile and age, alongside increasing regulation and new legislation, we are at a pivotal point in the strategic management of our stock. With limited opportunities to increase the funding envelope alongside increasing demand it will be vital that you are able to drive efficiency in how our stock is maintained and managed.

You will play a vital role in the development of a new Asset Management Strategy, shaping its future direction to ensure that we are able to maintain both an economic and environmentally sustainable Housing Revenue Account (HRA) that can provide homes to allow our residents to live well in.

The strategy will convey our approach to how we report on and meet obligations around adherence to the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, specifically with reference to the Safety and Quality Consumer Standard and Decent Homes standards.

You will report to the Assistant Director of Building Services and play a key role in the senior management team working closely with other Heads of Service within Building Services and more widely across the Directorate. You will provide strategic leadership in the development of the Asset Management Strategy ensuring that meaningful consultation is undertaken with residents, key stakeholders and Members to ensure a thorough understanding of the principles of the strategy and agreement of it.

Core Functions:

1. Asset Management: Responsible for the collection of data and management of relevant stock databases undertaking stock condition surveys, HHSRS assessments and producing EPCs. The team uses data analysts to interrogate data and produce compliance and service measures across the Directorate to inform decisions around our buildings.
2. Analysis: Analysis of stock, condition and data to inform the development of the Asset Management that sets out our strategic approach to managing our HRA stock, informing budget setting alongside strategic decisions concerning repair, refurbishment, acquisition, disposal and estate renewal.
3. Building Procurement and Framework Management: Responsible for leading the procurement of strategic service contracts across Building Services and the establishment and ongoing management of various consultant & construction Frameworks to support the overall operation of the service and delivery of the Asset Management Strategy.

The role will be challenging; however, it represents an exciting opportunity to play a significant part in shaping the future direction of the Council's housing stock and bring change and modernisation to the service to ensure a sustainable portfolio.

Application Process:

Please tailor your application to the 'Who is the Person' points of the job profile within the job pack, with examples from your experience, and attach this as a cover letter in the Supporting Documents section. This is really important or you are likely not to be shortlisted.

Include:

• Employment history including:
  • Employer
  • Employment dates
  • Reason for leaving
  • A brief explanation of any gaps in your employment history
• References: Including current or most recent employer. Let us know when we can contact your references.

Application Closing Date: 13th January 2025.

Assessment Centre: Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an Assessment Centre in Portsmouth on 27th January 2025.

We are a disability confident employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible and welcome applications from all areas of society.

We really appreciate our employees and fully realise they are essential to our success and look to offer an inclusive, supportive working environment where employees can reach their potentials with a healthy work-life balance, offering the following rewards:

• A generous pension scheme
• Relocation scheme may be available for the right candidate
• Up to 31 days annual leave per year pro rata + bank holidays
• A range of retail discounts via our reward portal
• Free Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing support
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities including apprenticeships
• Potential to purchase additional annual leave
• Business travel support and initiatives, including bike loans