Maintenance & Adoptions Manager in Sunderland

We’re a values-driven, charitable organisation on a mission to make a real difference in Sunderland. Every day, we provide more than 60,000 people with a place they’re proud to call home. Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy-efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland.

If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we’d love for you to join us and help achieve our vision. If you have any accessibility needs or require adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support you.

We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a large number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

Salary: £55,014.00

Job Description:

We are looking for an experienced Maintenance & Adoptions Manager to join our Homes & Development team at Doxford Park, Sunderland. Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, you’ll lead the adoption of completed construction works, and work as a key member of the Customer Care team in dealing with complex defects from inspection to managing contractors to the completion of works.

As part of Gentoo Group, Gentoo Homes is proud to be a profit-for-purpose business. Every home we sell helps fund Gentoo’s Affordable Housing Programme, reinvesting in your local community. We build homes to high-quality specifications in sought-after locations, offering comfort, style and practicality from the day you move in. Since 2007, we have delivered thousands of homes to people across the North East - each one built to last, with care and commitment at its core.

We believe in the power of collaboration and flexibility, so you can expect to be based at our Doxford Park, Sunderland head office and to spend time in the office and elsewhere. The use of our office space is driven in part by your needs and the activities you need to do. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work. We support a great work-life balance with our standard 36-hour working week, Monday to Friday. Plus, enjoy an early finish at 12:30 pm every Friday—giving you more time for the things that matter to you. We are also proud to be certified as a “Great Place To Work”. A full UK driving licence and a basic DBS check (arranged and funded by Gentoo) are required for this position.

What you will be doing:

• Resolve defects and customer complaints efficiently, tracking issues through systems such as Clixifix.
• Lead and support Customer Care Operatives to complete any work required after inspections.
• Coordinate adoption of estate roads, sewers and public infrastructure with engineers, surveyors and regulators.
• Carry out quality assurance checks, oversee post-completion equipment, and support continuous improvement.
• Manage technical handovers and subcontractors, ensuring quality, health and safety compliance.
• Contribute to maintenance cost reviews, budget control and forecasting, identifying trends and efficiencies.
• Ensure compliance with Quality Assurance processes and CDM regulations, supporting clear communication with customers and stakeholders.
• Take a flexible, customer-focused approach to meet service needs.

What you will bring:

• Hold a full UK driving licence and a CSCS card.
• Be degree qualified or hold an HNC/HND in a related discipline.
• Hold demonstrable experience planning and coordinating operational teams and subcontractors to deliver works effectively.
• Bring relevant experience in a similar role within housing, construction, highways or drainage environments.
• Demonstrate experience in the design, construction and inspection of estate roads and sewers, with strong construction knowledge or hands-on site experience.
• Bring strong interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills, with confidence in decision-making.
• Be organised and able to manage your own workload to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Be technically minded, proactive and solution-focused, with a strong customer-focused approach.
• Professional, reliable and a collaborative team player.

It would be great if you had, but not essential:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of Highway and Water Industry regulations.
• Have experience working with technical agreement documentation.
• Bring experience using Fieldview or similar site and quality management systems.

Some of our great benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.
• Early finish on Fridays.
• Flexible and hybrid working.
• Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover.
• Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan.
• Competitive Aviva pension scheme - Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution.
• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave.
• Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary.