Join Our Team as a Legal Services Manager (Compliance)
About Us: Southern Housing, formed from the merger of Southern Housing Group and Optivo, is one of the largest housing providers in the UK. With over 77,000 homes across London, the South East, the Isle of Wight, and the Midlands, we provide affordable housing to over 167,000 people.
The Role: We are seeking an exceptional Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with the ability to conduct litigation to join our growing in-house legal team. As a Legal Services Manager (Litigation), you will work closely with the Head of Legal Services (Litigation) to shape the Leasehold Disputes workstream and ensure consistently excellent service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership: Inspire, lead, and manage lawyers in the Legal Services team, demonstrating Southern Housing's HEART values and commitment to residents.
Focus Area: Serve as the single point of excellence for Compliance case in the team. This deals with the work we do for issues such as injunctions associated with access for gas, electricity etc. It also includes us assisting with tenancy breach possession actions, including those relating to subletting, abandonment and tenancy fraud etc. You'll develop a specialist understanding of the law and liaise with the internal stakeholders to assist with delivering the in-house legal provision in the area to meet the needs of Southern Housing and its Group partners.
Case Management: Manage a personal caseload of mixed housing management litigation and other contentious matters, providing high-quality legal services and advice.
Training & Development: Provide training for the Legal Services team and Southern Housing colleagues, developing tools, precedents, and ensuring high levels of oversight and consistency.
What We're Looking For
Qualified solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive.
Passion for excellence in Compliance matters.
Proven track record in housing management related litigation and other contentious litigation, ideally in the Social Housing sector.
Strong leadership and management skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Flexibility to attend Southern Housing's offices as required to deliver the role.
IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office suite and Outlook.
Desirable
Experience in managing other lawyers.
Experience in drafting documents and providing training.
Understanding of legal processes, Housing and Landlord & Tenant law, and cultural change management.
Location: Based at our main offices in Farringdon or Croydon, with hybrid working options when appropriate and as agreed with your manager. Travel between offices and occasional visits to Isle of Wight, Maidstone, or Sittingbourne may be required.