Location: Sunderland 
Salary: £86,226 (plus pending pay award)

We are a values-led, charitable organisation that provides more than 60,000 people in Sunderland with a place they can call home. We have a clear vision and a social purpose. We believe that everyone has the right to live in a good quality home that they can afford. We invest millions of pounds every year to keep our existing homes safe and decent. We also play our part in helping to deal with the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of new, modern homes for rent in Sunderland.

There has never been a better time to be a part of Gentoo. Our property directorate has been brought together into one knowledgeable and experienced team, working together to maintain and invest in our portfolio of 28,500 homes, serving 60,000 customers. We are also focussed on the future and we are currently developing our new Corporate and Property Strategy which will set a clear direction of future travel for the organisation.

This role has overall accountability for the strategic management of Gentoo’s annual planned investment programme to customers’ homes ensuring high levels of customer engagement and satisfaction. The position will hold the strategic management for the delivery of the Group’s “gentogether” approach with partnering contractors, seeking to innovate, deliver best practice and value for money through investment in customers’ homes. This role also holds accountability for the procurement of principal contractors and the overall strategic financial management of the Group’s investment plan and commercial/financial management of external suppliers across the Property directorate.

Skills

• Leadership – the ability to build and develop high performing teams, with a collaborative style which inspires others to deliver great services to customers.
• Engagement – Open and inclusive approach to customer and colleague feedback on how to improve services to customers.
• Commercial – Demonstrable experience of financial and budget management and value for money.
• Customer – A customer focused and commercial mindset ensuring Gentoo delivers great services to customers and spends our money wisely.
• Contract management – Significant senior experience of managing external principal contractors delivering planned investment including suitable contract selection.

Experience

• Leadership – Extensive relevant experience in a similar asset or property role, managing contractors, suppliers, and key stakeholders.
• Contract management – Experienced In leading planned investment projects with key suppliers.
• Financial management – Experienced in large budgets, negotiation, operating commercially, and committed to ensuring value for money.
• Reporting – The ability to manage, challenge and act on contractor underperformance, and providing assurance to Executive and Board.
• Communication – A brilliant communicator with colleagues, stakeholders, Board, Executive and contractors

Knowledge

• Qualifications – A recognised property related qualification or relevant experience in a similar role
• Health and Safety – Significant experience in health and safety, CDM, building safety, fire safety and property compliance
• Knowledge – Significant knowledge of the social housing sector, property related challenges and social housing regulation.
• Analytical – The ability to review complex information and make this relatable to non-technical colleagues.
• Knowledge – Demonstrable knowledge of building construction, building standards, compliance obligations, planning regulations, regulatory standards, and leasehold legislation.
• Programming – Extensive experience of understanding construction programmes and timescales.

Attributes

• Communication – The ability to communicate effectively in a range of settings and to write clear, concise reports, which have clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Customer Focus – Experienced in working with a diverse range of customers, with continuous engagement and delivering best in class services.
• Leadership – A supportive and visible leader who provides clear direction, develops professionalism and high performance in others.
• Challenge – Possesses the interpersonal skills to challenge constructively, build rapport and influence senior leaders.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion. Equality ensuring people from all communities have equal opportunities to access services. Diversity is about respecting and valuing people’s differences and treating them in a suitable way. Inclusion is about making sure that people feel comfortable to be themselves.

How to apply

To make an application, fill out the form below, with the following prepared: Your CV and A supporting statement that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.

Closing date: Monday 5th August 2024