Head Of Finance Jobs
Head of Property
Canterbury, Kent
£50,242 - £57,778 pa plus excellent benefits
35 hours per week
The Head of Property is a crucial and pivotal role at the Diocese, as you will lead the strategic management of the Diocese’s assets, taking responsibility for maximising income and capital returns from assets, including property development on investment land and buildings.
Reporting to the Diocesan Secretary, you will oversee the management of the Diocese’s housing and the Glebe estate. You will ensure good quality clergy accommodation through strategic maintenance and planned enhancements, along with the sale, purchase and development of housing stock and glebe land as required.
Managing the Property Services Team, which oversees the management of all clergy and other housing within the Diocese, you will ensure maintenance and improvements are performed within agreed timeframes and budgets and provide an excellent and friendly service to clergy and their household. In addition, you will ensure maximised rental income from vacant housing and glebe land which is a key income stream for the Diocese.
As Head of Property, you will offer support to parishes and protect their interests by advising on decision making regarding their buildings, with a particular focus on enhancing utilisation and value, especially for church halls. You will also represent, protect and advance the interests of PCCs, Incumbents and Churchwardens, by partnering with them to provide high-level advice to parishes on the effective management of property matters, particularly in cases where the Diocese acts as custodian trustee on their behalf.
As a key member of the Diocesan Office and Senior Management Team (SMT), Diocesan Finance & Assets Committee, Diocesan Advisory Committee and Property Advisory Group, you will manage the property budget, taking part in budget reviews and budget setting in partnership with the Director of Finance and Finance & Assets Committee.
Professionally qualified with a relevant qualification and with significant demonstrable post qualification experience in a similar role, perhaps as a surveyor, you should have proven leadership experience with a focus on strategic property development and resource planning.
With experience of working in the property sector, ideally in asset management, residential property management and landlord and tenant relations, you should have a track record of driving maximum return from property and/or land assets, including experience of property disposals and purchases. Able to maximise income, you should also be adept at planning, managing and reviewing substantial budgets and exercising strict financial controls in a property environment.
Sympathetic to the overall Christian mission of the Church of England, including the Diocese’s schools, church communities and buildings, you should be prepared and able to travel regularly throughout the Diocese.
Previous experience with Charities or Not-for-Profit organisations is desirable but not essential.
The Housing and Land assets of the Diocese of Canterbury comprises operational and investment properties, almost all of which consist of ministry housing stock and a small amount of Glebe Land. Assets include circa 170 parsonage houses, the majority of which are occupied by clergy, establishing a unique relationship between the Diocese and church leaders. A minority of the stock (around 50 properties) which are intended for ministry but not currently used, generate substantial rental income. Notably, recent years have seen the move to ensure that we have the right properties in the right places for ministry as well as exploring development opportunities on existing properties that are due to be reviewed, sold or replaced.
Canterbury Diocese is the oldest diocese in England, stretching from Maidstone to Thanet, the Isle of Sheppey to the Romney Marsh. We have 350 miles of coastline with historic ports and seaside resorts, alongside rural communities, market towns and commuter-belt urban developments. Affluent areas often sit alongside pockets of major deprivation, offering an exciting and challenging mission context.
At the heart of all we do is a vision of transformation for ourselves and our communities: no one can encounter God and remain unchanged. In the Diocese of Canterbury, we want to increasingly become a Christian community transformed through encounter with Christ, growing and overflowing to transform and bless the families, homes and communities we serve: Changed Lives, Changing Lives.
Closing date: 6 May 2024, 11:59pm
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri, 7.5 hours per day). May be required to work occasional evenings and public holidays.
Contract: Permanent
Salary: In range of £58,000 per annum
Location: London, E8 4DG
Our client, Peter Bedford Housing Association (PBHA), is a housing association with charitable aims that create positive change in people’s lives. As well as homes and support, they empower people to learn, access work and discover their creative talents. Based mainly in Hackney, Islington, and Newham, they work with people who are homeless, have mental ill health, learning difficulties and multiple needs. PBHA work enables people to move on and lead independent lives.
PBHA are committed to an asset based and psychologically informed approach to their work. Mutual support, participation and personal development for both staff and service users are key to this.
The role:
Reporting to the CEO, the Head of Property and Development will oversee the provision of high-quality asset management and repair services in-line with PBHA values and strategic objectives. Working closely with the Director of Services, the successful candidate will aid in the identification, management and acquisition of opportunities that will enable PBHA’s strategic growth. The role will help to ensure that PBHA’s work, and homes, meet building standards, health and safety obligations, regulatory framework, and will always provide a high-quality service to PBHA tenants.
Key duties and responsibilities:
- Spearhead line-management of PBHA’s Property and Development Team through performance management and handling employee relations issues if necessary.
- Organise and coordinate work programmes.
- Lead Housing Development programmes ensuring compliance with building standards, health and safety and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in the recruitment, selection, induction and onboarding of team members.
- Participate in on-call rota and respond appropriately to out of hours incidents.
- Provide strategic and operational direction to enhance the long-term management and investment objectives of the property portfolio.
- Ensure PBHA’s assets are surveyed and data records are established and upheld to monitor property condition.
- Oversee and manage stock improvement and maintenance programmes, ensuring that they meet service standards and agreed budgets.
- As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, present to Board and Services Committee, offering recommendations in accordance with the Asset Management Strategy.
- Develop high quality policies, procedures and systems relating to Property and Development Service.
- Advise tenants and other PBHA teams on strategy and future policy implementation.
- Propose appropriate partnership development opportunities to the Senior Leadership Team.
- Monitor and evaluate service delivery, collating information for monthly, quarterly and annual performance metrics.
- Respond proactively to complaints regarding services, staff and contractors.
- Develop and implement new procedures in response to legislation changes and emerging best practice.
- Aid team in creating and maintaining good working relations with landlords, contractors and professional consultants.
Person specification:
- Experience delivering and improving Repairs and Maintenance Service, preferably for a Registered Provider or Charity.
- Substantial project or change management experience.
- Experience developing specifications for property related tenders and managing contracts.
- Revenue and Capital Budgets experience.
- Staff management experience.
- Building related qualification and professional body membership, e.g. RCIS/MCIOB, degree or HND in building management.
- Knowledge of project management, e.g. PRINCE 2/APM Techniques.
- Experience of housing development issues, funding, approaches and financing.
- Sound knowledge of health and safety legislation.
- Prioritisation and ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Strong IT and data management skills.
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
- Communication skills, specifically with stakeholders.
- Committed to innovation and creating customer value.
Peter Bedford Housing Association offers in return:
- Excellent support
- Enhanced company sick pay
- Access to an extensive range of training
- A psychologically informed environment
- 26 days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, rising up to 30 days with service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- Agile working.
To apply, please register your interest and we will send you an application form to complete. Using an application form supports equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices.
Peter Bedford Housing Association is an Equal Opportunities employer who support an inclusive culture and diversity for their staff and those they represent. They are committed to encouraging further growth from diverse groups, and welcome applications from people of all abilities and under-represented groups. Currently, PBHA have an underrepresentation from men and disabled communities. As such, they particularly welcome applicants from these groups.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Margins Project, Union Chapel’s Frontline charity, work with people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and helps address pertinent social justice issues these communities face.
The charity runs three integrated programmes:
• a community drop-in programme providing access to nutritious hot meals, and limited access to showers & laundry services.
• advice and engagement programme providing one-to-one as well as group advice service on benefits and housing, and onward referrals to pertinent services.
• support employment programme offers a paid catering training to 10 people who have had experience of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, and or imprisonment.
Our range of services are designed to help guests (service users) at varying stages, from having no roof over their head to getting back into employment.
This role offers an opportunity for an experienced adviser to help shape and evolve Margins services. Experiences on the ground at the drop-in programme inform the charity’s strategic direction. The role will involve expanding our partner network to link into pertinent statutory and other charitable organisations that provide services that will help our guests with their housing, substance misuse, recidivism, and mental health challenges.
We work closely with people on an individual case work basis to get guests off the streets, into hostels or temporary accommodation where possible, and work with private and social landlords on a range of issues. We support and represent the people we work with on the phone and in person, including at the council, the doctors, the job centre, and benefits tribunals.
Our drop-ins run on Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00am to 1:00pm where attendance is currently from 65 to 75 guests. The advice and engagement worker works more intensively with smaller numbers of up to 20. The demand for more follow up work and advocacy support has been increasing over the last two years and this in-house advice worker is critical for this demand.
Working collaboratively with the Drop-in Community worker (currently vacant), the head chef, and a small group of dedicated volunteers, you will be responsible for the support of a caseload of guests, some with complex needs, and will undertake key work responsibilities including registering the guests, identifying their housing, benefit and personal needs and conducting all necessary follow ups including occasional advocacy support, where deemed necessary.
Job Title: ADVICE AND ENGAGEMENT WORKER
Responsible to: Head of Margins
Location: Margins Offices at Union Chapel, Islington, London
Salary: £32,500 - £35,000
Terms: Full time 37.5 hours per week with 1 hour unpaid for lunch.
Three-month probation, two months’ notice.
23 days annual leave + bank holidays. Workplace pension scheme (NEST)
Start date: May 2024
Purpose of Job:
• To advise and assist guests (service users) with benefit claims and related issues, e.g., Housing Benefit, DLA, PIP, Income Support, ESA, Universal Credit, and other benefits. In particular, assisting them to claim Housing Benefit and UC to reduce risk of rent arrears.
• To develop significant contact and liaison with comparable housing and benefits advice organisations.
• To encourage guests engage with Margins activities, and where practicable, with the wider Union Chapel activities.
• To develop, facilitate and deliver group advice workshops/training programmes and open discussions forums to engage guests who historically do not engage with Union Chapel.
• To Refer Margins guests to relevant internal and external services.
• In liaison with the head of Margins and the chef to refer potential candidates to Margins’ Supported Employment Programme.
The Advice and Engagement Worker will have an active role in identifying and engaging guests as well as referring potential candidates to the Supported Employment Programme, a programme anticipated to expand beyond its current services in Margins catering.
Responsible For:
• Working with caseload of guests
• With the support of drop-in services community worker (currently vacant) to ensure the smooth running of the drop-in services
• Identifying opportunities to improve services both at a project and organisational level.
• Assist the Head of Margins in ensuring that the Margins Project remains GDPR compliant.
• Represent the organisation effectively internally and externally.
• Working in partnership with statutory and other charities to deliver co-ordinated support to guests.
• Identify relevant training opportunities in capacity building.
• Initial liaison with and acting as the first referral contact for the Supported Employment Programme
Key Duties:
• To encourage and assist guests achieve the maximum income from benefits to which they are entitled to, and to refer to relevant support services such as mental health, social services, community support.
• To advise guests on basic budgeting and where applicable to refer to Tenancy Support Officers or outside agencies for more complex help.
• To liaise closely with local authorities, social, and private landlords to try to achieve the best outcome for our guests.
• To identify if the guest is accessioning the right benefit that will support their long-term wellbeing.
• To support newly arrived refugees with their housing and benefit advice needs.
• To actively assist guests with formal appeals against Local Authority, DWP and HMRC decisions regarding benefit entitlement. Representing at Appeal Tribunals.
• To signpost guests to resources that can assist them in finding work.
• When needed, signposting guests to specialist providers in mental health or drug and alcohol support services.
• To Support guests on paying their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management.
• To Address breaches of occupancy agreements and develop strategies that would prevent and avoid eviction.
• To assist guests with backdated claims for Benefit by supporting their applications through to completion.
• To ensure all guests’ files are up-to-date and that data is captured on our management system.
• To provide written reports and statistics as and when requested.
• To attend supervision, training, and meetings as and when required.
• To provide advocacy support to guests as and when required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
• Good knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit.
• Experience of working with homeless and marginalised people and understanding of the issues that face them.
• Experience of working or collaborating with people with mental health issues.
• Experience of working with refugees and their needs.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours.
• Embrace a strength-based approach.
• A clear understanding of professional boundaries.
• A knowledge of the best practice in Safeguarding Adult procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skill.
• Ability to work proactively as part of a team.
• Ability to plan, manage and action follow-ups on time and manage and contain workload.
• Proficient in IT skills and competence in Microsoft Office applications.
• Committed to personal and professional development through ongoing training.
Desirable:
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of providing advice to vulnerable groups
• Experience of delivering provision for the benefit of vulnerable backgrounds
Equal Opportunities:
• Ensure consistent and effective implementation of Union Chapel Equal Opportunities & Diversity policy and procedures.
• Positively promote an environment which respects and values the diversity of staff, volunteers, and Guests.
This is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Advice and Engagement Worker. It is therefore not comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the postholder and the line manager from time to time. The post holder may undertake any other reasonable duties within the capabilities and scope of the post as specified by their line manager. In such circumstances appropriate training will be provided.
How to apply
Please apply with your CV and a support statement, both no more than two pages, outlining your skills and experiences to meet the criteria of the role, why you want to work for Union Chapel Project and your availability to start with “Advice and Engagement Worker” in the subject line. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Form.
Closing date: Tuesday 30 April 2024, 8am
Interviews will take place w/c 13 May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.