Surveyor- Permanent

Location: Leathermarket JMB
Reports to: Head of Asset Management- Planned Programmes & Responsive Repairs

About Leathermarket JMB

Leathermarket JMB is Southwark’s largest resident-managed housing organisation, managing approx.1600 homes in Borough and Bermondsey between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Our vision is to provide excellent housing services for our residents, better than those provided by other organisations with similar resources.

Our values

• We do the right thing and keep our promises.
• We only spend what we can afford.
• We are kind to each other, and we pull together.
• We love new ideas.

Organisational Context

The JMB is a tenant managed organisation (TMO). We manage 1,550 homes, under the terms of a Management Agreement with Southwark Council. Strategic decisions are made by a board of resident directors, elected by their fellow residents.

The partnership between Southwark Council and Leathermarket JMB. represents the most significant sharing of control and responsibility with council residents anywhere in England. Southwark funds the JMB to provide all aspects of the housing service that affect residents’ lives and does this through a Self-Financing arrangement.

The Council provides funding equal to all residents’ rents and service charges, (rents £7m & service charges £1m per annum). From this the JMB has to pay off the historic debt on our homes, deliver major works and provide the full range of housing services for the benefit of our tenants and leaseholders.

As a resident managed organisation, we are required to hold a continuation ballot every 5 years. This requires us to ask our residents whether they still want the JMB to deliver the housing service and provides a mandate for the approach of the organisation. Including the initial ballot to establish the JMB there has been 6 formal ballots over 25 years. Resident support has stayed very consistent at around the 90% mark.

We are a run by a group of ‘ordinary’ people whose commitment, drive and achievements are truly extraordinary.

Our immediate priorities are

• Delivering a high performing housing service which includes rent and service charge collection, repairs, tenancy management etc.
• The reliability of our responsive repairs service and reducing our void turnaround times.
• Building safety, especially regarding fire safety and dampness.
• Enabling more residents to engage in our decision-making, especially those who have not had a Voice so far.
• Staff recruitment and retention.
• Supporting residents with the cost-of-living crisis and maintaining income collection.
• Improve our use of technology to enhance our service delivery.

Purpose of the role

• Specify and order repair works, working with technical colleagues and suppliers as needed to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
• Maintain budget control for repairs contracts, monitoring spends and contributing to annual budget planning alongside the Finance Team.
• Oversee the repairs process for void properties, ensuring fast turnaround and delivering homes that meet a high standard for incoming residents.
• To undertake fire door inspections as required, specify required remedial works and post inspect after completion
• Independently manage a varied caseload, including damp and mould issues, insurance claims, disrepair cases, and other complex or specialist repairs.
• Lead on accurate diagnosis of building defects, using expertise in building pathology, damp and mould, and HHSRS to identify and categorise Category 1 and 2 hazards.
• Develop and maintain KPIs that effectively measure repairs performance. Regularly review, analyse, and report on contractor performance against these indicators.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial standing orders, statutory regulations, leaseholder obligations, and internal policies in the delivery of repair services.
• Order, code, and approve payments for repairs works. Verify completion of services prior to authorising invoices and ensure accurate financial recording for service charge purposes.
• Act as deputy to the Responsive Repairs Manager when required, including short-term organisation of the in-house repairs team.
• Participate in the emergency repairs call rota, providing technical advice and support to the out-of-hours call centre team as needed.
• Identify service trends and work with the Responsive Repairs Manager to design and implement proactive maintenance programmes and planned preventative works.
• Provide technical advice and post-inspection support to colleagues, helping to ensure consistency, safety, and high standards across all property-related works.
• Contribute to the development and review of policies and procedures related to building compliance and property services, supporting continuous improvement across the team.

Job Context

The postholder reports to the Responsive Repairs Manager and supports the delivery of responsive repairs, maintenance, and term contracts. They ensure contractors provide value for money, quality service, and meet all compliance obligations. The postholder takes part in the out-of-hours rota. Most queries from the call centre are resolved over the phone, with evening or weekend site visits rarely needed. In urgent cases, they may be asked to stay beyond normal working hours.

What we are looking for

• Proven technical experience in surveying or property maintenance, ideally in social housing.
• Must have an HNC/HND or similar qualification in Building Surveying or Construction.
• Excellent diagnostic, specification, and problem-solving skills.
• Clear, professional communicator, able to work effectively with residents and colleagues alike.
• Proficient IT skills and experience working with housing or repair systems.
• A strong sense of ownership and pride in delivering excellent repairs.
• Experience in a resident-led, community-based housing setting.
• Understanding of building safety, compliance, and void/property inspections.

What we offer

• Competitive salary package £58,299 p.a
• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays (rising with service).
• 2 Giveback Days per year to volunteer in our local community.
• Supportive and inclusive working culture.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• The opportunity to make a real, visible difference in people’s lives.

Leathermarket JMB is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic. If you need any adjustments or support with your application, please let us know.

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