At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing repairs service, ensuring homes are safe and well-maintained.
- Company: One of the UK's leading housing associations with a proud 100-year history.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a team of 240 colleagues and manage a £30m repairs budget.
- Why this job: Shape tenant experiences and drive service excellence in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in social housing and strong financial management skills.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are one of the UK's leading housing associations, providing safe, affordable and well-maintained homes to over 70,000 customers across the Midlands. With a proud history spanning almost 100 years, we are focused on delivering excellent services and creating homes that enable modern living. Following the achievement of G1, V1 and C1 regulatory ratings, alongside a Moody's A1 stable rating, we are now seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join us as Director of Repairs & Maintenance.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Executive Director of Property Services, the Director of Repairs & Maintenance will lead a high-performing, tenant-focused repairs service, ensuring homes remain safe, secure and well maintained while delivering an outstanding customer experience. This is a significant leadership role with responsibility for both in-house teams and contractor partnerships across responsive and specialist repairs. The successful candidate will drive service excellence, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and value for money, while helping shape our wider tenant experience and asset strategy. The role carries responsibility for a repairs and maintenance budget of approximately £30m and leadership of a team of around 240 colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of our repairs and maintenance strategy, ensuring high-quality, safe and customer-focused services aligned to organisational objectives and tenant expectations.
- Drive operational performance across responsive and specialist repairs, including KPIs, complaints, disrepair, continuous improvement, workforce planning and financial management.
- Oversee procurement, contract management and supplier partnerships to deliver compliant, resilient and value-for-money repairs services.
About You
We are seeking an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and substantial experience leading high-performing repairs and maintenance services. You will bring:
- Significant leadership experience within social housing, property services or a related sector.
- Expertise in responsive repairs, contractor management and commercial oversight.
- Strong financial and operational management capability.
- A detailed understanding of building safety, compliance and relevant legislation.
- Experience delivering service transformation and performance improvement.
- The ability to influence at Executive and Board level.
- A tenant-focused and collaborative leadership style.
A relevant degree-level qualification or equivalent experience is required, alongside membership (or willingness to work towards membership) of a relevant professional body such as CIOB or RICS.
Director of Repairs and Maintenance employer: Midland Heart Ltd
As one of the UK's leading housing associations, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. Our commitment to delivering safe and affordable homes is matched by our dedication to providing our staff with opportunities for growth, competitive benefits, and a collaborative environment where every voice is valued. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while advancing your career in a stable and reputable organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Repairs and Maintenance
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Midland Heart Ltd, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Director of Repairs and Maintenance at Midland Heart Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Repairs and Maintenance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Midland Heart Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
