Service Charge Manager

We have a fantastic opportunity to join Sovereign Network Group (SNG) as Service Charge Manager on a permanent basis. Based from our office in Wembley, you'll combine office and home working in line with our hybrid approach, with occasional travel to other sites. SNG is one of the largest housing associations in England. We provide over 85,000 homes and invest in communities across London, the South East, South West and East of England, as well as aiming to create thousands of new affordable homes every year.

The Role

Reporting into the Head of Service Charge Setting and Administration, you'll be responsible for managing and coordinating the Service Charge team in the London and Herts region in the delivery of the service charge calculations (all tenure types) and annual service charge statements to customers in line with legal and regulatory requirements. The portfolio consists of approximately 20,000 units, including c.10,000 service charge payers with a total annual service charge income budget of c.£20 million.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing the Service Charge team with a focus on articulating a clear vision, providing direction, and promoting a culture of accountability, high performance, and continuous improvement.
• Setting the annual service charge expenditure and income budget across all tenures within the London and Hertfordshire region.
• Accountability for the annual service charge estimate and final account process, ensuring the risk associated with rechargeable service charges is effectively managed and regulatory time scales are met.
• Working collaboratively across the business to support continuous service improvement and deliver excellent customer service to customers across different tenure types, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• Reviewing and approving the certification of annual service charges, documenting the calculation and apportionment process, including the reports and supporting documentation to facilitate the certification.
• Producing and analysing regular reports on recoverable repairs and maintenance expenditure, estimated service charge income and ad-hoc reports dependent on business requirements.

What we look for

You should have previous experience in a similar management role within service charges. You'll need to demonstrate strong technical knowledge, being adept in managing fixed and variable charges in a large and complex setting, preferably in a housing context. You'll also need:

• To be an experienced leader, skilled in developing high-performing teams and consistently maintaining high operational standards.
• Thorough understanding of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (as amended) and other guidance and best practice for service charges.
• To be qualified by experience or a qualified accountant with a solid understanding of accounting practices and concepts including account reconciliations.
• Ability to take ownership and work independently whilst meeting tight organisational deadlines.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, demonstrating collaborative, cross-functional working relationships, including experience liaising with external stakeholders, e.g. auditors, regulators and Ombudsman.
• Experience in directly engaging with customers, addressing queries, and delivering clear, concise written communication.
• Strong experience with Microsoft Office applications, including intermediate/advanced Excel.
• Knowledge and experience of using housing management and property management systems (e.g. Workday, SUN, Agresso, NEC, Active H or similar).

Benefits

• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days).
• Chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package.
• 3 additional wellbeing days and 2 paid volunteering days.
• Generous matched pension scheme up to 12% and Life cover at 4x salary.
• Options for private medical insurance, dental insurance and critical illness cover.
• Wellbeing discounts, including Gym Memberships and access to a 24/7 virtual GP service.

At Sovereign Network Group, we are passionate about inclusion for all and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are committed to our Equality Diversity and Inclusion strategy and believe that you can truly be yourself at SNG. If you would like the opportunity to make a real impact within our changing and growing organisation, we would love to hear from you!