Head of Asset Management - Planned Programmes & Responsive Repairs

This is a rare opportunity to lead asset management, investment and repairs for one of London’s most distinctive resident-managed housing organisations. Managing around 1,600 homes in Borough and Bermondsey, the organisation operates differently from a traditional housing association or local authority. Residents have a genuine voice in how services are run, strategic decisions are shaped by a resident-led Board, and the focus is firmly on delivering excellent services to the people who live in the homes.

For the right person, that creates an unusual opportunity. You will be close enough to residents, colleagues and decision-makers to see the impact of your work, while leading a broad and important property service covering planned investment, responsive repairs, voids, damp and mould, disrepair and long-term asset management.

The role involves leading the operational delivery and future development of the organisation’s asset and repairs services. You will have responsibility for planned investment programmes of approximately £2m to £5m per year, alongside responsive repairs, direct labour, voids, damp and mould, disrepair, stock condition information and asset planning.

This is both a leadership and delivery role. You will set direction, improve performance and build the systems and information needed for longer-term investment decisions, while remaining close enough to the service to understand what is happening in residents’ homes. You will lead managers, surveyors, repairs and scheduling teams, operatives, contractors and consultants, with responsibility for:

• planned maintenance and capital investment programmes
• responsive repairs and Direct Labour Organisation performance
• voids, damp and mould and disrepair services
• stock condition data, asset intelligence and lifecycle planning
• contractor performance, procurement and contract management
• repairs and investment budgets
• service performance, governance, assurance and risk
• resident communication and satisfaction
• sustainability, energy efficiency and long-term asset investment

You will also work closely with senior leaders, resident Board members, the local authority and external partners, presenting clear information on performance, investment, budgets and risk and helping shape the future of the service.

What makes this opportunity different? This is an organisation where property services are very visible and where decisions have a direct effect on the people living in the homes. It is small enough for you to influence how things are done rather than inheriting layers of process, but substantial enough to give you responsibility for significant budgets, programmes, teams and services. There is a clear appetite to improve repairs performance, strengthen asset information, deliver major investment programmes well and develop a more data-led approach to the long-term management of the homes. You will have the opportunity to make a genuine mark on all of that.

About you: We are looking for an experienced property or asset management leader with a strong background in social housing or a closely related residential property environment. Your experience must include both planned investment / asset management and responsive repairs. You should also be able to demonstrate experience of:

• leading significant planned maintenance or capital works programmes
• managing responsive repairs, voids, damp and mould and disrepair
• leading operational teams, direct labour, contractors and consultants
• using stock condition and asset data to inform investment decisions
• managing substantial budgets and contractor performance
• improving services through meaningful performance information and KPIs
• developing effective governance, assurance and reporting
• presenting operational and financial information to senior leaders or Boards

You will need a strong understanding of social housing repairs, asset management, lifecycle investment, procurement, contractor management and landlord responsibilities, together with the relevant housing, health and safety and building safety requirements. Just as importantly, you will need to be comfortable working in a resident-led environment. You should be able to listen, explain complex property issues clearly, challenge where necessary and build confidence with residents, colleagues, contractors and senior stakeholders.

Qualifications: You will need a degree, Level 5 qualification or equivalent relevant experience within asset management, construction, building surveying, housing, property management, project management or another building/property discipline. You must also hold a relevant management or health and safety qualification, such as IOSH Managing Safely, PRINCE2, NEBOSH General Certificate or an appropriate management qualification. Professional membership or further qualifications within surveying, construction, housing, asset management, contract management or programme management would be an advantage.

The role participates in an out-of-hours escalation rota and may occasionally provide senior operational leadership during major property incidents. If you have the breadth of asset management and repairs experience needed for this role and like the idea of leading a service where you can see the difference your work makes to residents, we would be very interested in hearing from you. Please apply with your latest CV.