Job Overview
The Regional Operations Manager (ROM) is responsible for overseeing and optimising operational activities across designated regions.
This role ensures alignment with strategic objectives, drives performance improvements, and maintains high standards of service delivery.
The ROM is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of our property portfolio and line managing the field teams that service the portfolio in the designated region.
The role requires efficient management of staff, third party contractors, asset management, void management, and property compliance.
The ROM will ensure that our properties are fully compliant as well as being safe and inspiring.
Responsibilities & Duties
Strategic:
* Lead regional operations to achieve business targets and service excellence.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless operations.
* To proactively look at improvements to our maintenance and cleaning model and discuss ideas and recommendations with Head of Department and Director of Operations.
* Be an integral part of the THN strategy to build our portfolio to 10,000 safe and inspiring bed spaces by 2029.
* Focus on the company's social impact and identify how this can be captured across your area.
* Recommend the most effective way to capture social value and keep records accordingly.
* Proactively promote and deliver the company's net zero commitment, ensuring adaptation and continuous improvement.
Staff Management:
* Line manage field teams (maintenance operatives and cleaners). We are an inclusive employer and actively encourage people who have lived experience to apply for roles within the company.
* As a Regional Operations Manager you will understand the importance of the lived experience voice within a company and how support is essential to the success of someone who has lived experience.
* Recruitment - you will be responsible for recruiting replacement and new members of the regional team; this will include reviewing CVs presented to you from our People Team, conducting interviews and making decisions on candidates who is the best fit for the role. You will also be expected to implement a 4-week induction program for all new starters, embedding the company's values and mission.
* Performance Management - Conduct regular performance evaluations, monthly 1-2-1s/catch ups, yearly staff appraisals. Invest in your team to ensure that you maintain a healthy culture where staff flourish.
* Complaint management - Investigate complaints relating to staff performance and lead disciplinary hearings when necessary.
* Financial efficiency - Scrutinise, approve, or reject expenses relating to field team activities ensuring compliance with company policy.
* Holiday and absence management - Approve or decline field team holiday requests, ensuring business continuity during periods of absence.
Property Maintenance, Standards & Void Management:
* Data Management - Have full overview of your Region and advise the Head of Department on all key data relating to the portfolio, ensuring a consistent approach across all regions.
* Policies and Procedures - In conjunction with the wider management team, Implement and monitor operational policies and procedures
* Void management - Take a proactive approach to managing all voids in the Region, in conjunction with the wider management team. Ensure properties are back in service in a timely manner as dictated by the contract and that the costs associated with damage, neglect and void loss are minimised. Conduct cost analysis exercises in areas with high void numbers to identify if it is more cost effective to instruct 3rd party contractors to carry out remediation works.
* Understand the nature of voids in the region at all times and be prepared to advise on mitigation solutions for voids.
* Operational efficiency - Optimise and oversee operations to ensure financial and operational efficiency.
* Specifications - Understand the property specification for each contract that the company manages and ensure that property standards are maintained.
* Quality control - Conduct regular quality assurance checks to ensure standards are met by field teams and 3rd party contractors.
* Contract management - Source and vet new contractors, ensuring they meet the required standards before adding them to the approved contractor database using the approved process.
* Conduct contractor reviews and regular contract meetings.
* Ensuring we support local businesses while demonstrating full compliance and value for money (VfM).
* End of Tenancy management- Conduct property 'go back' reports post tenancy ensuring that all works are identified, costed and completed within the agreed timescales.
* Compliance management - Conduct urgent Damp and Mould (D&M) investigations and reports as required, monitor progress ensuring a swift resolution in line with the requirements of Awaab's Law and company policy. Conduct Fire Risk Assessments (FRA's) across the portfolio if required by the Head of Department and manage the completion of any remedial works that are identified. Ensure that the Region has FRA qualified operatives available to carry out FRA's as required. Understand and put into practice the companies fire safety policy.
Health & Safety Compliance:
* Ensure all staff comply with safety regulations and are adequately equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their roles.
* Conduct regular vehicle inspections to ensure staff maintain company vehicles according to the vehicle policy. Ensure driving times are recorded and excess hours discussed with Head of Department.
* Ensure compliance with legal and safety requirements, particularly fire safety, legionella and asbestos testing and carry out risk assessments as directed.
* Ensure staff fully understand COSHH and that they have the relevant COSHH sheets relating to their role.
* Ensure staff wear their operational lone worker alarms at all time while on duty.
Customer Satisfaction & Quality Control:
* Review customer feedback and implement improvements as necessary.
* Manage resident complaints swiftly, ensuring high levels of customer service.
Inventory & Asset Management:
* Ensure effective use of storage units within your area and conduct regular inventories to maintain oversight of company assets. Minimise storage requirements.
Reporting & Recording:
* Maintain accurate records of inspections, risk assessments and staff performance.
* Present reports to the Senior Leadership Team on key metrics such as property standards, voids, staff performance and customer satisfaction.
* Analyse performance metrics (KPI's, SLA's) and initiate corrective actions where necessary
Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge:
* Strong leadership and team management skills.
* Be commercial; recognising the financial and operational limitations we operate within.
* Strong, confident communicator.
* Experience of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
* Experience of completing fire risk assessments and a sound knowledge of legislation.
Key Stakeholders
Internal:
* Business teams and Service / Divisional leads
* Regional teams and operational staff
* Senior management and executive leadership
* Internal departments including HR, Finance, and IT
External:
* Residents
* Contract commissioners and other clients
* Compliance related stakeholders
Personal Characteristics
Skills
Essential:
* Proven track record as a Regional Operations Manager or Estate Manager covering a large portfolio preferably in a social housing or charitable setting.
* At least 3 years' experience of leading and organising a dispersed field team.
* Strong leadership, decision-making capabilities and team management skills.
* Be commercial; recognising the financial and operational limitations we operate within.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - strong, confident communicator.
* Experience of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
* Experience of completing fire risk assessments and a sound knowledge of relevant legislation.
* Demonstrate composure under pressure and consistently make sound decisions aligned with the company's best interests, even in challenging circumstances.
* Analytical mindset with attention to detail
* Excellent problem-solving abilities.
* Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic environment
Desirable:
* Fire Risk Assessor Qualification
* Health and Safety Qualification
* Experience of carbon reduction plans
* Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development
Knowledge
Essential:
* Knowledge of property management (including compliance) and managing a field based dispersed team.
Behaviour
* Highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
* A team player with a positive attitude and a commitment to delivering high-quality results
* Results driven
* Resilient
* Keen to support colleagues and ensure the business is working cohesively and to the same objectives
* Able to lead by example
* We would expect you at all times to:
o act with integrity
o act with due skill, care and diligence
o act with professionalism
o be open and co-operative with colleagues