Are you an experienced leader with a strong track record in housing asset management, investment planning and delivering capital programmes?
Do you have a passion for improving housing conditions, managing risk and compliance, and engaging with customers and stakeholders to deliver high-quality outcomes?
Are you keen to lead a friendly, professional team and drive continuous service improvement?
If this sounds like you, we are keen to hear from you!
This role is an exciting opportunity for a highly committed and experienced individual to join the Asset Management and Programme Works Team within the Neighbourhoods and Housing Service at Sheffield City Council.
We are recruiting for a customer-focused and experienced Operations and Development Manager (Asset Management and Programme Works) to help lead the service and shape the delivery of our HRA-funded housing capital investment programme. You will provide operational leadership across a wide range of activities, with a particular focus on contract and project administration, programme governance, performance management, budget oversight and continuous improvement. As an individual you will have a well-developed understanding of housing investment priorities, the challenges facing the housing sector and the drivers behind these, alongside a strong commitment to compliance, value for money and excellent customer outcomes.
As the Operations and Development Manager you will manage and assist in leading the team to provide innovative, high-quality and customer-focused investment solutions, translating priorities into investment programmes and projects. Working closely with the Service Manager and key partners (internal and external), you will help ensure effective consultation, robust contract and procurement practice, strong performance management and delivery of best-value services for tenants and stakeholders. You will also contribute to the preparation of reports and recommendations for senior managers and Elected Members as required.
The Asset Management and Programme Works Team shape and deliver the HRA capital investment programme. The team manages this through stock condition and other surveys and data sources, statutory compliance requirements, acquisition of new council housing stock, financial management and the contract and project administration needed to deliver investment programmes and projects effectively. This includes supporting procurement and mobilisation, monitoring performance and budgets, managing change control/variations, and providing clear customer support and communication throughout delivery.
Key Aspects of the role:
1. Contribute to the strategic investment planning, programming and management of the HRA capital investment programme and 30 Year Business Plan, including financial monitoring, forecasting and clear reporting to support decision making and governance, and helping to develop and maintain a sustainable Asset Management Strategy for Council Housing.
2. Lead and coordinate contract administration across the housing investment programme, including tendering/procurement support, contract mobilisation, performance monitoring, change control (variations/claims), and ensuring compliance with contract conditions and Council Standing Orders.
3. Manage specific capital projects (including elemental works and demolition), providing effective project administration and governance (programme planning, risk/issue management, reporting, record keeping and approvals), ensuring delivery to time, cost, quality and customer expectations.
4. Support robust commercial management, including maintaining auditable programme and project records, validating applications for payment and completion documentation, and working with QS/finance colleagues to ensure accurate cost control and budget management.
5. Maintain a watching brief over the external legislative and policy framework in relation to asset management, technical standards and specifications, ensuring local practice remains compliant and up to date.
6. Ensure effective consultation and communication with customers, Elected Members, staff and stakeholders before and during programme delivery, responding constructively to feedback and complaints to drive improvement.
7. Work with colleagues to ensure programmes are procured and managed in line with the Council’s procurement strategy, standing orders and contract conditions, delivering best value and strong performance.
8. Ensure effective management of asset risks and hazards in the housing stock, exercising sound judgement and escalating cases for legal action where appropriate.
9. Manage building-related standards, policies and product design specifications for capital projects, including value engineering and governance of standards where appropriate.
10. Ensure legal and safety compliance for building design and investment standards, including adherence to the Asbestos Policy, the accuracy and accessibility of the asbestos register, and oversight of the asbestos management plan.
11. Desirable: experience of delivering or supporting investment programmes/projects involving Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) works and/or District Heating / community heating systems.
The job is full time working on a hybrid basis. Our current office location is based at Solpro, Windsor Street, Sheffield, however there will be a requirement to work from other various locations as per service demands.
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.