Main Purpose of the job
Responsible for managing and delivering a range of projects, partnerships, workstreams, and day-to-day activities across the housing partnerships, contracts, strategic and policy areas of the teams activities, so as to drive innovation, improved service outcomes and better value for money for the Council.
Responsible for making a positive contribution to the delivery of the Councils objectives in relation to the three principle activities of the team where the three principle activities are:
- to set and maintain the Councils Housing Strategy and associated policy positions, working across the wider Housing division and other linked services such as Adult Social Care and Health ;
- to develop and maintain productive partnerships across all sectors to improve housing delivery and management in Lewisham;
- to maximise the value and outputs from the Councils contracts with its housing management providers;
Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties
To take personal responsibility for a portfolio of projects, partnerships, workstreams and day-to-day activities as directed by the Housing Partnerships and Service Improvement Manager and Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager, in line with the objectives of the Housing Partnerships and Service Improvement Team and wider Housing Division. To structure and format the day-to-day operations of individuals and project teams to deliver those objectives, and to effectively matrix manage those individuals and project teams to ensure the delivery of the required outcomes.
- To take personal responsibility for the day to day management of the Councils contracts with its housing management providers, including our Arms Length Management Organization and Private Finance Initiative.
- To apply rigorous contract management approaches to ensure the delivery of high quality services to residents through our ALMO and PFI contracts. To oversee contract and performance (re)negotiations, strategic business planning processes, target setting and budget setting processes and compliance with the appropriate regulatory / health and safety standards.
- To identify opportunities to improve the value for money and service outcomes that these contracts deliver for the Council and work with service providers to successfully deliver those outcomes.
- To take personal responsibility for managing stakeholder relationships between the Council and its key housing partners, including independent Registered Providers, local authorities, Governmental departments and voluntary sector organisations. To use these relationships to position the Council appropriately to drive improved housing outcomes for our residents in Lewisham, and to identify opportunities to realise better service delivery and value for money for the Council.
- To develop an excellent understanding of the issues facing the Councils key partners, including their commercial models and constraints, their strategic objectives, and their relative strengths. To use this understanding to identify and implement examples of good practice, innovation and to champion new ways of working for the Council and to position the Council effectively within the local housing economy.
- As required as part of a mixed portfolio, to undertake policy analysis and reviews, research and other intelligence gathering activities, identifying trends, issues, opportunities and risks. To use this intelligence to formulate new initiatives and recommendations which can support the development and maintenance of the Councils housing strategy and policy positions, approach to the management and development of its own housing stock and other assets, as well as other change and improvement opportunities for the team, the Strategic Housing division, and relevant other Council functions such as Adult Social Care and Health.
- To work effectively within a matrix managed environment in which workloads will be varied and priorities will change on a regular basis. To manage effectively within that structure, managing staff, external contractors and consultants as required, providing effective motivation, direction, performance management, coaching and personal support to enable them to work effectively within the matrix-managed nature of the team, and to contribute towards creating and maintaining an appropriately supportive but high-performing culture and ethos within the team
- To co-ordinate the preparation of applications and bids for funding to Government and other agencies as opportunities arise to better deliver the Councils housing objectives.
- To carry out the duties of the post with due regard to the Councils Equal Opportunity Policy, to undertake other duties as may reasonably be required, to deputise for the Housing Strategy and Programmes Team Manager and to attend occasional meetings outside of standard working hours as required.
Internal Contacts
These include: Executive Director for Customer Services, Director of Housing Services, Housing Partnerships and Service Improvement Manager, Director of Regeneration and Place,Houisng Needs team, Private Sector Housing Agency Team,, Corporate Asset Services Team, Legal Services, Financial Services
Knowledge
Good understanding of the issues and challenges facing local authorities
Excellent knowledge of the roles of local government in delivering better housing services, including in partnership
Good understanding of the roles and responsibilities of officers and of elected members, and of the relationship between the two in a local government context
Good working knowledge of the principles of project management, contract management and stakeholder management
Good understanding of the processes involved in policy development and implementation, including the roles data and other analysis, consultation, briefing and stakeholder engagement
Good knowledge of the principles and processes involved in the contract management and monitoring of Private Finance Initiatives