Role Overview
You will be a lead for our social housing consultancy division, working closely with our Managing Director. The core focus is to assist and advise organisations in applying to become Registered Providers. This will include advice, guidance and writing the application and supporting Policies and other documents. You will provide consultancy and guidance to organisations, helping them understand the complexities of becoming a registered provider and offering tailored support to improve their applications. Where possible, your support will also extend to broader consultancy for social housing clients including signposting to other support and where appropriate work as an advisor to our bid team when completing grant applications on behalf of clients.
As the core business of Thornton & Lowe is providing an outsourced bid writing service – including within the housing sector, you will also support our existing team with Quality Assurance (QA) on bids. Working within our established procedures to provide feedback and QA. You will receive training in this as part of your role.
This is a new position and a growing, developing division within Thornton & Lowe. We have clients and projects live but are still developing and refining our structure for delivery. As a result, flexibility is required. This may mean a variety month-to-month in the level of QA work required as we further develop our RP projects, for example. But the fast growth of our revenue for this service puts you in a fantastic position to develop and refine processes to deliver the best support, whilst accounting for your preferred ways of working.
Main Responsibilities
- Guide and support organisations looking to become Registered Providers, ensuring they understand the RP registration process and what is required for successful applications.
- Coordinate and manage RP registration projects, ensuring all client needs are met efficiently and effectively.
- Offer consultancy to clients on writing and structuring their RP applications.
- Conduct research on RP registration and related regulations and guidelines to help provide informed advice to clients. For example, this might include drafting or reviewing policies which comply with guidelines from the RSH and other regulatory bodies.
- Support clients who have failed the preliminary RP application process by reviewing their applications, liaising with the regulator, conducting research, and providing actionable feedback to improve their chances of success.
- Collaborate with other experts within the company to ensure clients receive comprehensive support in the RP registration process.
- Work within our bid team structure to provide additional capacity with regards to QA and advice. Your social housing expertise adding further value and insight for these specific bids, including for public contracts and grant applications.
Role Requirements
- 2+ years’ experience in social housing.
- A housing related degree (desirable) or other qualification such as from the CIH.
- A demonstrable knowledge of the regulatory standards for social housing.
- An understanding of Supported/Specialised Supported Housing.
- A drive to develop and grow our service, supporting business development and service improvement.
- Prior experience or knowledge of the RP Registration (desirable).
Skills Profile
- Project management.
- Excellent written and verbal communication (English).
- Document production (MS Word and PowerPoint) competence.
- Leading client liaison and customer service skills.
- Social housing knowledge (essential), particularly regarding rent setting and governance experience or knowledge (desirable).
Details Of Role
- Salary - £30,000-50,000 (dependant on experience).
- Hybrid (Bolton) (preferred) or remote working may also be negotiable.
- Full or part time.
