Repairs Manager

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned technical and compliance leader with expertise across damp and mould, disrepair, fire safety, and contractor governance. They will have a strong understanding of statutory requirements, risk management, and audit processes, with the ability to oversee complex casework and ensure robust compliance with Awaab’s Law and FRA actions. Commercially astute and confident in procurement and contract management, they will combine strategic thinking with hands-on oversight of specialist workstreams. Excellent stakeholder management skills are essential, including the ability to influence contractors, liaise with legal teams, and report to SLT and Boards. The successful candidate will be analytical, detail-oriented, and committed to driving service improvements, innovation, and a high-performance, resident-focused culture.

The post-holder is responsible for providing strategic oversight and hands-on management of:

• Compliance
• Asset integrity and specialist workstreams
• Awaab’s Law (damp produce D drive learning to reduce recurrence)
• Manage the Disrepair service: inspections, legal liaison, disclosure processes, risk and cost management; ensure adherence to statutory/legal requirements and pre-action protocols
• Ensure operatives, surveyors and contractors identify and report HHSRS hazards and building fabric risks during inspections, with accurate recording and escalation
• Fire Risk, Building Safety ensure works are correctly scoped, prioritised, allocated and delivered within risk-rated timeframes; maintain auditable records of completion
• Oversee EICR and LGSR service to ensure full compliance
• Coordinate with SNG’s M assure compliance. Contractor Management drive corrective action
• Chairing monthly meetings and recording performance
• Ensure all post inspections are carried out in a timely manner
• Asset Data lead process redesign
• Strategic identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency and service transformation
• Work collaboratively with SLT, SNG, contractors and partners to improve services; lead change management during restructures
• Drive learning and improvements to reduce recurrence and improve outcomes
• People set clear objectives; run 1:1s, appraisals, supervision and development plans
• Recruit, onboard and train staff; deliver on-the-job coaching and shared knowledge practices
• Manage sickness absence, capability, conduct and performance in line with SW9 HR procedures
• Build a positive, accountable, collaborative team culture
• Complaints, Ombudsman report systemic issues and learning to SLT/Board
• Attend meetings for residents or MP enquiries as and when required

General:

• Proficient understanding of SOR’s to ensure cost effectiveness and value for money
• Ensure operational performance aligns with corporate/regulatory requirements and quality standards
• Track budgets, productivity and unit costs; drive value-for-money across the department
• Contribute operational assurance data for SLT/Board reports (volumes, SLAs, WIP ageing, satisfaction)
• Work in collaboration with the Repairs Operations Manager and provide support in the absence of repairs team
• Education evidence-based reporting
• Contractor procurement and commercial management experience
• Knowledge of HHSRS, fire safety principles, building fabric and asset management
• Practical experience responding to housing condition risks such as damp and mould
• Excellent stakeholder management (SLT, legal, insurers, Ombudsman)
• Strong understanding of the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards, including the Home Standard
• Up-to-date knowledge of Awaab’s Law, statutory timeframes, severity categorisation, and operational compliance requirements
• Sound understanding of current and emerging challenges within the housing sector and the needs of diverse communities
• Proven management experience within housing, property services, or repairs, with responsibility for budgets and service performance
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate a diverse operational team across multiple workstreams
• Experience in transforming services, improving operational processes, and delivering measurable performance improvements
• Track record of mobilising contractors, driving performance through KPIs, commercial management, and collaborative partnership working
• Evidence of building strong, productive relationships with residents, stakeholders, contractors, and partner organisations
• Experience developing and delivering operational strategies, policies, procedures, and service plans within a social housing environment