Operations and Development Manager

Job content

Our Citywide Housing Services are rising to the challenge of meeting housing needs in Sheffield, and we are transforming how we work with our residents who need advice or support with their housing options. We want to focus more on preventing homelessness and make sure people have all the information and help they need when looking for a new home.

We are now looking to recruit 3 new Operational and Development Managers to take lead roles in this work. For all 3 posts we are looking for motivated individuals who are customer focussed, have excellent communicators and are passionate about preventing homelessness and improving services. You will have experience of working in partnership, managing change and have knowledge of the challenges facing the housing sector. These are all new permanent posts, and you will have the chance to put your stamp on how we deliver our rehousing and homelessness services, and build on our strategic and partnership work in the city

You will be based in either our Housing Options and Advice Service or our Rehousing Service.

The Housing Options and Advice Service supports and advises people who have a housing need or are homeless. The service works with people to prevent homelessness in the first instance and will work with people to find alternative accommodation. The service will also assess households to see if the council has a duty to provide some temporary accommodation and then works alongside individuals to find a suitable home. In addition to this the service also has a rough sleeper team and a Housing First service offering the most complex and vulnerable individuals in the city help and support.

Rehousing Services ensures that the council meets its obligations and lets properties in line with the councils Allocations Policy. The service maintains the Housing Register, including validating new application ensuring ID and references are provided and reviews each applications on an annual basis. The Service provides a front line in person service at the Property Shop supporting customers with a range on rehousing enquiries. The services manages priority rehousing requests, mutual exchanges and ensures properties are let in accordance with the Allocations Policy.

Rehousing Services

The Roles Are

Housing Options Operations and Development Manager - Partnerships and Strategy lead

We have a well-established partnership in place with statutory, voluntary and providers services to oversee and implement our Homeless Prevention Strategy. You will be taking a lead role in developing this further including being responsible for our Homelessness Prevention Forum and Housing Strategy Steering Group with the Service Manager. You will be responsible for developing and improving services and working with commissioners, services and partners to develop proposals, secure funding and improve collaborative working to achieve our strategic objectives. A key responsibility will be reviewing and developing an updated Homelessness Prevention Strategy. Experience of successful partnership working and good written and communication skills are essential.

Operations and Development Manager – Access and Casework lead

The second post in Housing Options and Advice will manage our frontline teams responsible for options and advice, managing the housing support pathway to supported housing, access to Temporary Accommodation, Rough Sleeper Service and Housing First. You will be responsible for ensuring customers receive a high quality of service and that the prevention of homelessness is at the for-front of all activity and that the service fulfils its statutory duties. You will need to be experienced in staff management and in managing a busy front-line service working collaboratively to get the best outcomes for vulnerable people.

Operations and Development Manager Rehousing Services.

As an Operations and Development Manager in Rehousing Services you will manage and assist in leading the service to ensure an innovative, high quality, continually improving and customer-focused service delivery across all of our teams. You will be responsible for ensuring our customers receive a high-quality service, including in person at the Property Shop, or through the priority rehousing process and that the service ensures the council is able to fulfil its statutory obligations and that properties are let in a timely manner.

The post holder will take a lead in the development of our pre-tenancy offer to new applicants joining the register. This will include developing policy and procedures which will support new tenants to sustain their tenancies. The successful candidate will also play a key leading role in our rehousing panel, working collaboratively with key partners both internal and external to improve the rehousing outcomes and support for some of the most vulnerable citizens of Sheffield. You will need to be experienced in managing a busy front-line service, have excellent staff management skills and be able to work with stakeholders to improve services.

We are committed to fairness and social justice and welcome applications from everyone. We value our diverse workforce and aim to work together to make the most of our differences. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities, which benefit you and the Council.