Head of Assets & Investment in Blackley

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Location: Greater Manchester (Blackley)

Working Pattern: Hybrid - 2-3 days per week on-site

Rate: £450-£500 per day

Contract: Initially until March 2027, with strong potential for extension or longer-term opportunities

Hours: Full Time

About the Role

This is a senior post within a large local authority housing service, providing strategic leadership across the authority's housing service. The successful candidate will lead the asset management strategy and commissioned works for a £1 billion council housing portfolio, working closely with elected Members, senior stakeholders, residents and strategic partners across the city.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Asset Management with a proven background in social housing asset management, ideally gained within a Local Authority or Housing Association environment. This is a high-profile strategic role combining technical asset management expertise, investment planning, regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement and senior leadership.

The Role

• Provide strategic leadership for the management and investment of a £1 billion social housing portfolio.
• Lead the development and implementation of the council's asset and investment strategy.
• Lead accountability for an annual £25 million capital programme.
• Develop long-term investment programmes covering 5-30 year planning horizons.
• Lead the development of the capital programme supporting the HRA 30-year business plan.
• Oversee stock condition surveying and ensure accurate, timely condition data is maintained.
• Analyse stock condition data and use intelligence to inform investment, building safety, energy efficiency and asset performance decisions.
• Lead the development and delivery of programmes relating to Building Safety, Decent Homes, Zero Carbon and environmental improvements.
• Ensure the housing portfolio meets current and emerging legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee commissioned works and strategic capital delivery.
• Support the management of an additional 2,500 properties operating under a unique PFI arrangement.
• Develop investment strategies that improve the quality, safety, sustainability and long-term performance of the housing stock.
• Work closely with residents to ensure their views and expectations inform major investment decisions.
• Build strong relationships with elected Members, senior leaders, contractors, residents and external partners.
• Provide strategic advice, reports, briefings and presentations to senior stakeholders and elected representatives.
• Identify emerging risks, priorities and opportunities through data, intelligence and resident insight.
• Ensure effective performance management, business planning and budget monitoring.
• Lead and influence strategic service improvement across the housing asset function.

About You

We're looking for an experienced senior housing asset management professional with:

• Significant experience in social housing asset management.
• A proven track record within a Local Authority, Housing Association or similar complex housing environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of housing asset management and investment planning.
• Experience managing or overseeing large-scale housing portfolios.
• Experience developing long-term investment programmes, ideally across 5-30 year planning periods.
• Strong understanding of current and emerging housing legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with stock condition data, asset performance and investment modelling.
• Knowledge of building safety, decent homes, energy efficiency and decarbonisation programmes.
• Experience overseeing significant capital investment programmes and budgets.
• Understanding of PFI arrangements would be advantageous.
• Excellent strategic leadership and decision-making skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experience working effectively with elected Members, residents, contractors and senior executives.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• The ability to operate effectively within a complex and highly regulated housing environment.

What Will Make You Successful?

Alongside your technical asset management expertise, you'll need to demonstrate:

• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to translate complex issues into clear investment strategies.
• Excellent partnership and collaborative working skills.
• The ability to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial and commercial awareness.
• A resident-focused approach to asset investment and service delivery.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to drive continuous improvement.
• The ability to manage competing priorities within a complex and changing environment.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and delivering high-quality housing services.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Head of Asset Management to take strategic responsibility for a substantial social housing portfolio and shape long-term investment decisions affecting thousands of homes. You'll play a key role in delivering improvements across:

• £1 billion council housing portfolio
• £25 million annual capital programme
• 5-30 year investment planning
• Building Safety
• Decent Homes
• Zero Carbon and energy efficiency
• Stock condition and asset performance
• Major capital works
• Resident engagement
• Strategic asset management
• PFI housing provision

The role offers hybrid working, with 2-3 days per week on-site in Greater Manchester, and is initially expected to run until March 2027, with a strong possibility of extension or longer-term opportunities.

Rate: £450-£500 per day