Principal Compliance Manager? Housing Safety in Suffolk

Finstech is recruiting on behalf of a well-established public-sector housing provider for an experienced Compliance Manager. The Principal Manager (Compliance) is one of six senior management posts within Maintenance & Contracts and acts as deputy to the Operations Manager across the service area. The postholder will lead the safety and compliance team, acting as the lead officer accountable for making sure the authority's homes meet all regulatory standards and that tenants are always safe in their homes, with a zero-tolerance approach to compliance failure. The role contributes to the strategic direction of the wider service, leads significant procurement, owns budgets within its area and acts as a lead officer on health and safety.

The client is looking for an experienced compliance or building safety leader from a comparable housing, local authority or regulated property environment, someone who combines in-depth regulatory knowledge with strong people and budget management, and who brings a continuous-improvement mindset to front-line operations. Innovation and aspiration are actively encouraged, making this an excellent opportunity for a senior professional to make a visible impact and develop their career further. The salary is up to £55,224 and is supported by a strong benefits package including a career average pension scheme, generous holiday and sick pay entitlements. Other benefits include hybrid & flexible working, subsidised parking, public transport discounts, free gym and swimming membership, a cycle purchase scheme, an Employee Assistance Programme and extensive professional development.

Key responsibilities include:

• Act as the principal responsible manager and lead officer for ensuring the authority's housing stock is compliant and always remains safe.
• Lead, manage and develop the safety and compliance team, including resourcing, appraisals and training, so that staff reach their full potential.
• Monitor hazards arising from HHSRS stock condition surveys and their outcomes, ensuring compliance with Awaab's Law and the Decent Homes Standard.
• Deputise for the Operations Manager across all aspects of the Maintenance & Contracts service and contribute as a member of the senior management team to performance management and strategic direction.
• Take responsibility for all financial matters and budgets within the area of control, including monitoring, reporting and preparing estimates.
• Develop effective procurement systems and strategies, act as lead officer on significant contracts, and represent the authority in major contractor disputes, including the preparation and agreement of claims.
• Take overall responsibility for health and safety on contract works, including producing health and safety plans under CDM regulations, and contribute to the division's health and safety policy.
• Help shape local policy with senior housing leadership, and act as lead officer for designated organisation-wide areas such as emergency planning and business continuity.
• Establish and continually review performance management systems and procedures, and contribute to maintaining external quality accreditations.
• Lead business planning, change management and continuous improvement activity to raise housing standards and service efficiency.
• Contribute to the authority's environmental and climate change agenda in relation to improving its housing stock.
• Deliver services to tenants and members of the public to a high standard, and support effective communication and promotion of the service.
• Attend evening meetings and work additional hours outside normal working hours when required, particularly at peak times.

About you

You will be a credible, commercially aware and customer-focused Compliance professional who can lead people, manage complex programmes and communicate confidently with a wide range of stakeholders. You will ideally bring:

• A qualification in a related field (for example construction management, building surveying or quantity surveying), and/or membership of a relevant professional organisation.
• Health and safety experience and/or qualifications.
• Significant experience in a comparable environment, ideally including senior-level delivery of local authority or social housing services.
• In-depth, current knowledge of the regulatory requirements for maintaining safe homes for tenants, together with relevant building and construction regulation, legislation and practice.
• Experience of managing staff, including leading, motivating and developing teams.
• Experience of controlling & managing budgets, including monitoring, reporting and preparing estimates.
• Experience of business planning, change management and continuous improvement in an operational or front-line environment.
• A strong understanding of health and safety requirements, including CDM regulations and relevant environmental requirements.
• Experience at a senior level in managing contracts and construction projects, including tendering, procurement and project management.

Desirable experience

• Membership of a relevant professional body, such as MCIOB, MRICS or an equivalent compliance or building safety body.
• NEBOSH General Certificate.
• A management qualification, such as a DMS or MBA, or Chartered Manager status (MCMI).
• An understanding of management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 (formerly OHSAS 18001).
• Experience of contributing to strategy and an annual operational plan as a senior manager.