Procurement and Lettings Solutions Officer

Our Procurement & Letting Solutions Team is dedicated to sourcing, securing, and sustaining private sector tenancies for individuals facing homelessness. While we operate as a unified team, our functions are divided into two key areas: Procurement and Lettings. In this role, your focus will be to procure private sector accommodation to support the prevention and relief of homelessness, ensuring that applicants have access to quality housing options in the private sector.

You will be responsible for maintaining a robust supply of affordable private lettings and long-term leased temporary accommodation. This will involve cultivating strong relationships with landlords, agents, and developers to promote the uptake of the Council’s Leasing and Lettings Schemes. As a key member of the team, you will contribute directly to our Temporary Accommodation Reduction strategy, playing a vital role in reducing reliance on temporary housing solutions and helping to secure long-term, sustainable housing for those in need.

This dynamic role focuses on procuring private sector properties, providing landlords and agents with the opportunity to let or lease their properties to Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. You will deliver a high-quality, customer-centric experience that rivals a private letting agency, ensuring both landlords and tenants receive exceptional service throughout the leasing process.

We are seeking a highly organised, motivated individual with strong negotiation skills and a deep understanding of the private rented sector. As an ideal candidate, you will have experience in conducting property inspections with the aim of improving conditions and maintaining high standards. While project management experience is beneficial, it is not essential. You will need a proven track record of delivering positive outcomes and managing complex tasks is a key requirement for success in this role. This position is based in Wandsworth, with the expectation of working across both boroughs and occasionally from the Richmond office as needed.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• We are looking for a hard-working experienced housing professional with specific private sector procurement experience, possessing strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Are you a strong communicator with excellent negotiation skills? Able to achieve personal targets that make an impact on team performance and efficiency.
• Experience of delivering proven positive outcomes.
• Can you offer Landlords advice in line with legislation?
• Able to communicate effectively with a range of people, particularly landlords.
• Knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, including Suitability of Accommodation.
• Able to deliver excellent customer service with an ability to mediate and resolve challenges.
• Experience of inspecting properties in line with health & safety requirements.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date: Sunday 30th March 2025
• Shortlisting Date: W/C 31st March 2025
• Interview Date: 08th April 2025

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Useful Information

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such, appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working, and a generous pension plan.