At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to optimise scheduling and ensure timely repairs for residents.
- Company: Join a leading housing association focused on community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career advancement and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social housing and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 58000 £ per year.
Reports To: Head of Property Maintenance / Regional Director
Location: Typically aligned with regional hubs (e.g., London/South East)
Job Purpose: To lead, motivate, and manage a team of Repairs Planners and Schedulers to ensure the effective, efficient, and commercially viable dispatch of responsive repairs, voids, and planned maintenance works. The role is directly responsible for driving operative productivity, optimizing travel time, maximizing "First Time Fix" ratios, and ensuring that Hyde's residents receive an exceptional, timely repairs service that meets regulatory and internal KPIs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Team Leadership: Direct line management of a team of Repairs Planners / Schedulers and Lead Schedulers. Responsible for performance management, training, setting daily targets, and conducting regular 1-to-1 reviews.
- Workforce Optimisation & Resource Planning: Oversee the dynamic scheduling system (typically Opti-time, DRS, or integrated NEC Housing systems) to maximize the daily productivity of field operatives and multi-trade supervisors.
- KPI Management: Take full accountability for scheduling-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including: Appointments kept vs. missed, average time to complete emergency and routine repairs, reduction in jeopardy alerts and unallocated jobs, and jeopardy management (intervening before a job misses its SLA).
- Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the critical operational link between the Customer Contact Centre (where repairs are logged), Field Supervisors, and Area Managers to resolve scheduling conflicts, trade capacity issues, or emergency surges.
- Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Monitor historical job data and volume trends to forecast future resource demand. Adjust scheduling templates, trade boundaries, and appointment slots accordingly to eliminate service bottlenecks.
- System Integrity: Ensure Planners are maintaining accurate real-time data within the housing management system, minimizing administrative errors, and ensuring jobs are correctly closed or rescheduled with clear audit trails.
Person Specification:
Experience & Skills Required:
- Social Housing Experience: A proven track record of managing a high-volume scheduling, planning, or logistics desk within a Housing Association, Local Authority, or Social Housing Maintenance Contractor.
- People Management: Demonstrated experience leading and developing office-based administrative or planning teams. Ability to manage performance and defuse high-pressure situations.
- Technical Knowledge: Advanced operational experience using specialized dynamic scheduling software (e.g., Kirona DRS, Opti-time, Totalmobile) alongside standard Housing Management Systems (NEC Housing/Northgate, Capita, etc.).
- Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of job costing, trade productivity metrics, schedule of rates (SOR codes), and how planning efficiencies directly impact the wider operational budget.
- Communication: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to manage the competing demands of back-office planners, frustrated tenants, and field-based tradespeople.
Typical Benefits Packages:
Salary Range: Usually ranges between £45,000 – £58,000 per annum (depending on the location/London weighting and experience).
Perks: Hybrid working 3 days in office 2 home working model, generous employer pension contribution (up to 6% double contribution), car allowance scheme, private healthcare package options, and 28+ days of annual leave.
Operations Manager in Slough employer: STR Group
As an Operations Manager at Hyde, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and well-being. With a strong focus on team leadership and performance management, you will benefit from a hybrid working model, generous pension contributions, and a comprehensive healthcare package, all while contributing to the vital mission of delivering exceptional service to our residents in the London/South East region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Slough
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operations Manager at STR Group!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like STR Group or be willing to refer you for that Operations Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from STR Group who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operations Manager role at STR Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at STR Group. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at STR Group
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at STR Group. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
