Reading (On-Site)
Permanent, Full time
No DBS check required
£42,708 - £45,718
37.00
The Voids and Lettings Team is responsible for the management and letting of void social housing properties. A key function of the team is the effective turnaround of empty properties and the letting process, ensuring homes are quickly made available and allocated in line with the principles of the Allocations Policy.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.
About the role
The Housing Needs Service is looking for an experienced, highly professional, and enthusiastic individual to lead our Voids and Lettings Team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong leadership abilities to manage a team of experienced officers in a busy local authority setting.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage a team of Voids and Lettings Officers, ensuring the smooth running of the void management process from when a property becomes vacant to its successful re-let.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal requirements surrounding property allocations and void management, ensuring compliance with all relevant guidance.
- Employ exceptional negotiation skills to manage stakeholder relationships and resolve issues effectively.
- Deliver services in adherence to published guidance and ensure best practices are followed at all times.
- Build strong, positive relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders to drive collaboration and service delivery.
- Champion a holistic approach to customer service, ensuring our residents receive the best possible support during the lettings process.
- Lead by example, supporting and developing your team, fostering a collaborative and motivated environment.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
About you
We are looking for an individual with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. The ideal candidate will be someone who can constructively challenge and re-engineer existing business practices while managing change, demonstrating strong team working abilities and a high degree of self-motivation and initiative. They will be a visible leader, with strong negotiation skills.
The ability to analyse complex issues, evaluate options, and propose effective solutions is essential, along with a strategic mindset and a vision for addressing corporate issues. A commitment to continuous improvement, delivering high-quality services, and maintaining high standards of Equal Opportunities and Customer Care is required. Additionally, the candidate will have strong IT and keyboard skills.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Kasana Shallow, Operations Manager – Housing Needs at Kasana.Shallow@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 9th February 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.