Head of Neighbourhoods

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About The Role

LiveWest is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Neighbourhoods to lead our Neighbourhoods, Lettings, Community Investment and Tenancy Sustainment, Estate Safety, and Estate Services teams.

Reporting to the Director of Neighbourhoods, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering best-in-class housing management services for approximately 30,000 homes. You will be integral to achieving LiveWest's vision and business objectives, ensuring excellence in customer-facing services, and fostering strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management: Lead and manage the delivery of high-quality Neighbourhood and Housing Management services. Develop and implement strategies, policies, and procedures to continuously improve services and meet performance objectives.
• Customer Focus: Ensure customer insight and feedback are used to drive service improvements and maximise customer satisfaction. Hold service providers accountable for performance, ensuring value for money and adherence to agreed service standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Monitor and manage service contract performance, particularly in cleaning and grounds maintenance. Use benchmarking and market intelligence to identify opportunities for service improvement and innovation.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with colleagues across the directorate to achieve a joined-up approach to service delivery. Build and maintain effective relationships with customers, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Financial Management: Manage delegated budgets, monitor variances, and contribute to future budget development. Ensure effective systems of internal controls are in place and regularly monitored.
• Team Development: Create a high-performance culture within the team, developing skills and competencies to enhance team capability. Ensure effective communication within the team, keeping colleagues informed and engaged.

Why Join LiveWest:

• Impactful Work: Be part of an organisation that makes a real difference in the lives of our customers and communities.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a supportive and dedicated team committed to excellence.
• Innovative Culture: Join a forward-thinking organisation that values creativity and innovation.

This role is being offered on a full basis working 37 hours per week. Hybrid working is available for this role, working 2 - 3 days per week in the office, depending on business need. You can be based in any of our 3 offices - Exeter, Weston-Super-Mare or Tolvaddon with regular travel between offices.

Interviews for this role will be held on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 March, with 2nd interviews (if required) being held on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 March.

For further information about this role, and LiveWest, please view our candidate information pack.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups. Appointment to this role is subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

About The Candidate

To be successful in your application for the role of Head of Neighbourhoods, you will have the essential skills and experience for a level 4 role (please see candidate information pack) and the following role specific skills and experience:

• Experience: Demonstrable experience in leading and delivering housing management services in a comparable organisation, managing a geographically dispersed portfolio, and working collaboratively to achieve objectives.
• Knowledge: A strong understanding of social housing policy, best practices, and current trends, as well as business planning and financial modelling.
• Skills: Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to use customer insight to drive service improvements.
• Values: A commitment to LiveWest's values of customer focus, safety, continuous improvement, and collaboration.

Qualifications:

• CIH Level 5/HNC relevant qualification or willingness to work towards.
• CIH accredited membership - At LiveWest, our expectation for a Head of Service is to have achieved level 5 CIH before the outcome of the Competence & Conduct consultation and timelines has been published.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Please note, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role; therefore, applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

About The Company

Our Reward and Benefits:

• Working Style: Hybrid working with 2 - 3 days in the office to support your work/life balance.
• Generous Annual Leave: Start with 26 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with length of service - and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days (pro rated for part time roles).
• Pension Contributions: Enjoy up to 9% employer contributions with our Defined Contribution scheme.
• Health Benefits and Perks: Access to a health care cash plan (worth up to £1,100 annually), virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, and retail discounts including access to a Blue Light Card.
• Learning and Development: Invest in your future with ongoing personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Family Support: Policies designed to help you balance work and family life, including a new child payment.
• Wellbeing Matters: Priorities your health with mental health support, enhanced sick pay, wellness campaigns, and free flu jabs.
• Smarter Travel: Save with our Cycle to Work and Car Benefit schemes.
• Giving Back: Up to four paid volunteering days a year to support our communities.

About Us:

At LiveWest, we are united by a shared mission: to create a home for everyone. Each of us takes pride in playing our part in achieving this goal.

Our values guide everything we do - from how we work together to how we deliver exceptional services to our customers. Collaboration is at the heart of LiveWest, and we believe that we achieve more when we deliver together.

As one of the largest employers in the South West, our team of 1,800 talented colleagues provides a wide range of services to our 80,000 customers. We are passionate about nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for people within the communities we serve.

We are committed to supporting our colleagues, giving them the autonomy and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we are building brighter futures for everyone.

Inclusion at LiveWest:

At LiveWest, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that our differences drive innovation, creativity, and excellent, and we strive to create an environment where all colleagues can thrive. As a proud member of Inclusive Employers, a Disability Confident Employer, and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are dedicated to supporting all our colleagues and ensuring that our workplace is welcoming and accessible to all.

We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. LiveWest is dedicated to equal opportunity and actively works to eliminate discrimination and promote diversity at all levels.

Join us in our mission to create vibrant and inclusive communities. Make a difference with LiveWest, where every voice is heard, and every contribution is valued.

You can read more about Inclusion at LiveWest by visiting our website.