At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead housing property safety compliance across Somerset's diverse portfolio of over 6,000 properties.
- Company: Somerset Council, committed to ensuring safe and compliant housing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on continuous improvement and accountability.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in community safety and compliance leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in property compliance and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Somerset / Hybrid
Contract: Interim
Directorate: Housing / HRA Property Services
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Interim Senior Lead – Housing Property Compliance to lead and manage all aspects of property safety compliance across Somerset Council’s housing portfolio. This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the Council’s retained housing stock remains compliant with statutory, regulatory, and best practice requirements across a diverse portfolio of over 6,000 residential properties. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership across all property compliance disciplines including fire safety, asbestos, legionella/water safety, gas safety, electrical safety, lifts, radon and wider building safety compliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Compliance & Operational Leadership
- Lead the delivery of all housing property safety compliance activities across the housing portfolio.
- Ensure compliance with current legislation, regulatory requirements, approved codes of practice and government guidance.
- Act as the Council’s technical lead on property compliance and statutory safety matters.
- Identify, manage and resolve areas of non-compliance and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure accurate compliance records, monitoring systems and reporting frameworks are maintained.
- Property Safety & Technical Compliance
- Lead and oversee compliance programmes relating to:
- Fire Safety
- Asbestos Management
- Water Hygiene / Legionella
- Gas Safety
- Electrical Safety
- Lifts & Mechanical Systems
- Radon & Property Safety Risks
- Building Safety and emerging regulatory requirements
- Specifically support delivery of fire safety compliance initiatives, including implementation of learning and recommendations arising from national reviews and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
- Leadership & Team Management
- Provide leadership and management to specialist compliance teams.
- Support performance management, development, mentoring and coaching.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and high performance.
- Deliver compliance awareness and technical guidance to wider operational teams.
- Contract, Audit & Governance
- Lead procurement and management of property compliance contracts.
- Manage contractors delivering inspections, surveys, removals, remedial works and compliance programmes.
- Lead internal and external audits and ensure recommendations are implemented effectively.
- Produce and maintain policies, procedures and compliance frameworks across all service areas.
- Strategic Delivery
- Contribute to strategic risk management, service planning and continuous improvement programmes.
- Support transformation initiatives, service modernisation and performance improvement.
- Prepare reports, performance updates and technical advice for senior leadership, elected members and stakeholders.
- Deputise for the Head of HRA Property on compliance matters where required.
- Financial Management
- Manage compliance budgets and delivery programmes.
- Monitor expenditure and ensure works are delivered safely, effectively and within budget constraints.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Significant experience managing property compliance within a social housing, local authority or housing association environment.
- Strong experience leading statutory compliance programmes across housing assets.
- Proven expertise in fire safety, including management of fire risk assessment processes and residential fire safety improvements.
- Experience managing high-risk compliance disciplines including asbestos, water safety, gas, electrical and building safety.
- Experience leading teams, contractors and complex compliance programmes.
- Strong understanding of housing legislation, health & safety requirements and regulatory compliance.
Essential Qualifications / Knowledge
- Relevant professional qualifications or equivalent experience.
- P405 Asbestos Management
- P901 Water Hygiene / Legionella
- NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent practical experience.
- Working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation.
- Knowledge of Building Regulations and property safety compliance frameworks.
Desirable
- Membership of professional bodies (IOSH / BOHS).
- PRINCE2 or equivalent project management qualification.
- CIH qualification.
- Degree qualification in construction, property or related discipline.
- Local government or wider public sector housing experience.
Key Skills
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management capability.
- Excellent communication and report writing skills.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders, members, regulators and contractors.
- Strong analytical, performance management and problem-solving capability.
- Experience managing budgets, programmes and operational risk.
Role Dimensions
- Responsibility for housing compliance across 6,000+ council-owned properties.
- Direct leadership of specialist compliance teams covering multiple statutory disciplines.
- Budget responsibility of approximately £2.5m.
- Regular travel and property inspections across Somerset.
- Participation in emergency response arrangements and occasional out-of-hours requirements.
Interim Senior Lead – Housing Property Compliance – AR in Taunton employer: Carrington Blake Recruitment
Somerset Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises compliance and safety across a diverse housing portfolio. With a strong commitment to employee development, the Council fosters a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, providing opportunities for professional growth in a supportive team atmosphere. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and impactful employment in the public sector.
Contact Details:
Carrington Blake Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Senior Lead – Housing Property Compliance – AR in Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the housing and property compliance sector. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your experience in managing property compliance, especially in fire safety and other key areas mentioned in the job description. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on demonstrating your leadership skills and how you've tackled compliance challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that dream job. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to the role. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Senior Lead – Housing Property Compliance – AR in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in property compliance, especially in areas like fire safety and asbestos management. We want to see how your skills match the specific requirements of the role!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a senior lead position, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've managed teams and led compliance programmes in the past. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and drive performance!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate clarity and want to quickly understand your qualifications!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington Blake Recruitment
✨Know Your Compliance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on all the key compliance areas mentioned in the job description, like fire safety, asbestos management, and gas safety. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with them, but that you can lead and manage them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leadership, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to achieve compliance goals. This will demonstrate your capability to manage specialist compliance teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to property compliance. For instance, how would you handle a non-compliance issue? Prepare structured responses that highlight your problem-solving skills and your approach to ensuring safety across a diverse housing portfolio.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the current legislation and best practices in housing property compliance. Be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to strategic risk management and service planning. Showing that you understand the broader context of the role will set you apart from other candidates.
