At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to manage housing refurbishment projects and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Company: Harlow District Council, committed to ambitious housing development and community improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, opportunity to shape housing projects, and work in a vibrant community.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on delivering quality housing solutions for residents.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your leadership skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in housing project management; experience with multi-million-pound contracts is essential.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Harlow District Council is an ambitious authority delivering a significant Housing Capital Programme, with investment of approximately 150m over the next two years. The council is building a high-performing team of professionals to support the delivery of its housing and asset management priorities. Harlow itself offers a strong quality of life, with excellent shopping, leisure facilities, and strong transport links, including access to the M11 and M25, as well as rail connections to London and Stansted Airport.
The role involves supporting the early-stage development of a large-scale programme of refurbishment and component replacement works across occupied council homes, including both low- and high-rise blocks. This post requires the successful individual to be based on site 2-4 days per week.
The role sits within a fast-paced pre-construction environment where you will take responsibility for shaping future investment programmes before delivery begins. This includes ensuring schemes are properly scoped, designed, costed and fully compliant prior to handover to the delivery phase.
Working collaboratively with internal housing, asset management and procurement teams, as well as external consultants and technical advisors, you will help identify priority estates and buildings, coordinate surveys, inspections and feasibility work, and develop well-defined capital projects ready for tender and delivery.
A key part of the role will involve ensuring all works are developed in line with CDM 2015 regulations, the Building Safety Act 2022 and RIBA Plan of Work principles, with a strong emphasis on safety, compliance and quality in occupied residential environments.
You will also work closely with the following colleagues:
- Consultation and engagement teams to ensure Section 20 Leasehold consultation, Tenants communication and RLO function are fully and timely informed of programme matters and ensuring appropriate consultation is supported throughout programme development.
- Procurement colleagues to support the tendering and evaluation of consultancy services and planned works.
- Delivery teams to ensure smooth transition from pre-construction into execution via timely contract execution, handover, mobilisation and supplier P2P set-up.
This is a role for someone who can operate across multiple schemes at different stages, maintaining a strong overview of programme priorities while driving detailed project development at pace.
The experience you will bring:
- A minimum of 5 years' experience in a similar role with either a housing association or local authority.
- Proven experience managing housing refurbishment projects and multi-million-pound contracts (3-5m).
- Experience managing a team, including Project Managers and Resident Liaison Officers.
- Experience in managing consultants and contractor performance.
- Experience of design and build / traditional contracts (desirable).
- Strong experience in KPI reporting, budget monitoring, and monthly valuations.
- Experience of operating successfully in Major Works (Capital).
- Unwavering focus and significant capability in delivering real outputs and value for the organisation and residents.
- Demonstrate ability to lead and motivate.
- Proven capability to work collaboratively with other teams and colleagues, delivering the required outputs for Harlow residents.
- Knowledge of and capability in delivering applicable social housing, asset management legislative and regulatory obligations.
- Experience of using asset data and resident feedback to develop Major Works’ capital investment programmes.
- Significant capability in ensuring data is accurate and utilising it to support effective decision making and add value to SHP's activities.
- Experience of maximising outputs and value for residents via effective engagement and involvement.
- Experience of supporting accurate budget monitoring reporting.
Responsibilities and Outcomes:
- Effective Team leadership and management of the team, delivering the required outputs for HOPS and residents.
- Support delivery and compliance with all applicable asset management legislative and regulatory obligations.
- Lead on the development of intelligent Major Works programmes utilising accurate, reliable data, systems and reporting.
- Supporting the delivery of accurate and effective budget planning, management and forecasting.
- Effective collaborative working with other colleagues and teams delivering the required outputs for SHP and residents.
- Leading and supporting the delivery of service improvement projects delivering the required outputs for HOPS and residents.
- Check suitability of condition data for homes and programming works to ensure all homes meet the Govt’s Decent Homes legislative standard and also accurately reporting on this.
Qualifications: Professional building services qualification, eg. RICS, CIOB. (Desirable)
What to do next: If you are interested in applying to this post, please do so on the Working for Essex site or email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk for further information.
Pre-Construction Housing Delivery Team Manager - Harlow District Council in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. With flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development, staff are encouraged to grow within their roles, all while contributing to a vital service in the heart of Chelmsford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-Construction Housing Delivery Team Manager - Harlow District Council in Chelmsford
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Essex County Council.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Essex County Council appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-Construction Housing Delivery Team Manager - Harlow District Council in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Essex County Council know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Essex County Council is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.