Jobs in Lavender Fields

Senior Repairs ManagerSalary:
£64,938–£68,460 per annum
Location: London SE1
Contract: Permanent

The opportunityWe are recruiting a Senior Repairs Manager for a well-established, resident-managed housing organisation responsible for around 1,600 homes across Borough and Bermondsey.
This is a genuinely distinctive housing environment. Residents play a direct role in how the organisation is run, with strategic decisions shaped by resident directors and a strong culture built around keeping promises, spending responsibly, celebrating diversity, supporting one another and being open to new ideas.
The organisation has consistently retained very high levels of resident support and has ambitious priorities around responsive repairs, voids, building safety, damp and mould, service improvement and the use of technology.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to take real ownership of a service, work closely with the homes and communities you are responsible for and see the impact of your decisions first-hand.
The roleYou will lead the delivery, performance and continuous improvement of responsive repairs, voids, damp and mould, disrepair, contractor management and Direct Labour Organisation services.

You will manage a small operational team including supervisory, surveying, front-line and operative functions, while working closely with residents, contractors, senior colleagues and Southwark Council.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Leading the responsive repairs service and improving performance against KPIs, customer satisfaction, backlog and work-in-progress targets.
Managing the DLO, including deployment, productivity, utilisation, workforce planning and performance.
Leading the investigation and resolution of damp and mould cases, ensuring a resident-focused and risk-based approach.
Managing disrepair cases, reducing legal exposure and ensuring effective working with residents, surveyors and legal representatives.
Improving void turnaround times and ensuring homes meet the required standard before occupation.
Managing repairs contractors, contracts, KPIs and service levels.
Managing operational budgets and ensuring strong value for money.
Supporting complaints, Ombudsman investigations, audits, inspections and regulatory activity.
Identifying, monitoring and escalating operational and building-safety risks.
Supporting emergency responses relating to fire, structural or other significant safety incidents.
Producing clear performance information, reports and safety-related communications.The role also participates in an out-of-hours liaison rota. Most matters are dealt with by telephone, with evening or weekend site attendance rarely required.
What we are looking forYou will be an experienced social housing repairs professional who can combine strong operational leadership with a clear understanding of residents, performance, risk and value for money.
You will need:

At least five years' significant experience managing responsive repairs within social housing.
Experience managing DLO services, contractors and operational teams.
Strong experience of voids, damp and mould and housing disrepair.
Experience managing budgets, operational performance, KPIs and service improvement.
Experience managing risk, actions and assurance processes.
Experience supporting audits, inspections or regulatory activity.
Strong knowledge of social housing repairs and maintenance.
Good knowledge of damp and mould legislation and guidance.
Good knowledge of disrepair management and Housing Ombudsman expectations.
Strong contractor and performance-management experience.
A working knowledge of social housing building and fire safety requirements, resident safety and engagement principles, the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.
Strong leadership, communication, organisational, analytical and stakeholder-management skills.
The ability to communicate technical issues clearly to residents and other stakeholders.QualificationsYou should hold a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification, or have equivalent professional experience, within housing, construction, property maintenance, building surveying, asset management or a related discipline.
You should also have:

A management qualification such as ILM Level 5, CMI Level 5 or equivalent.
A recognised health and safety qualification such as IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.Qualifications or training in building studies, housing, damp and mould, disrepair, contract management or procurement would be advantageous.
Membership of, or progress towards membership of, CIH, CIOB or another appropriate professional body would also be welcomed.
Why join?This is a senior role with genuine visibility and influence.
You will be joining an organisation where repairs, resident safety and service improvement are major priorities, and where the scale of the housing portfolio means you can stay close to the service rather than becoming removed from it.

You will have the opportunity to improve performance, develop the team, strengthen contractor and DLO delivery and help create a repairs service that residents can genuinely rely on.
For an experienced repairs leader who enjoys being hands-on, solving problems and making visible improvements to people's homes and services, it is an excellent opportunity