Strategic Lead for Safe Accommodation and Assets for WWIN (Wearside Women in Need)

Contract Type: Permanent

Role Type: Employment

Hours: Full time

Application deadline: Tuesday, November 26, 2024 - 23:59

Based: Sunderland

Salary: £43,421 to 45,441 Per Annum

Salary Type: Salary Scale

Location: Tyne and Wear

Role description: Manager

This role of Strategic Lead for Accomodation and Assets is a new role for WWIN and an exciting opportunity to join our newly formed Senior Leadership Team collectively responsible for effectively implementing our key strategic objectives.

You will be responsible for overseeing the safe and strong management of our supported accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic abuse, as well as driving the growth and expansion of WWIN’s properties, assets, and accommodation portfolio.

The role involves both operational and strategic elements: ensuring excellent practice in WWIN’s refuge provision as well as the strategic development and execution of initiatives to support the development of assets and properties portfolio.  Our overall aim is to ensure that WWIN’s accommodation provision is accessible and meets the needs of all women, children and families who wish to be supported in our services across the City and exploring a number of exciting and innovative initiatives which we are keen to develop.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Accommodation and Assets strategy that aligns our long term goals and objectives with the needs of our service users and strategic priorities set out by our board of trustees
• Identify opportunities for growth within the accommodation services and respond to new initiatives in partnership with Commissioners and other new/existing stakeholders at a senior level
• Ensure that WWIN provides trauma-informed, responsive and accessible refuge accommodation, including void management and service enhancements
• To be a core member of the WWIN Senior Leadership team to support the development and delivery of WWIN’s overall strategy

Business Development:

• Identify and pursue new opportunities for WWIN by building new partnerships and revenue streams through accommodation, assets and properties
• To work alongside CEO and Trustees to lead negotiations and secure long term contracts, partnerships and agreements that contribute to the sustainability of our organisation
• Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including potential and existing partners relating to accommodation, properties and assets

Accommodation and Asset Management:

• Lead the delivery of high quality safe and supported accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic abuse
• Develop and drive a trauma-informed culture with a focus on continuous improvement, accountability and personal responsibility for compassionate support alongside robust housing management across our accommodation provision
• Oversee the leadership of WWIN’s accommodation services, ensuring they meet or exceed sector standards and the needs of our clients
• To be the senior individual responsible for WWIN’s full compliance with supported housing regulation and industry standards in the supported housing sector
• To set the standards and ensure high quality data and monitoring to ensure that all of WWIN’s accommodation provision is meeting needs of women and children, is well maintained, safe and trauma-informed

Leadership and Team Management:

• Play a key role as a member of a newly formed Senior Leadership Team responsible for the overall leadership and management of WWIN
• To provide line management to Team Leaders (Refuge) and Asset Manager and ensure they have opportunities for professional and personal development and foster a culture of autonomy and continuous improvement in line with organisational values, beliefs and principles, policies and procedures
• To ensure team members have the training, support and supervision required to effectively deal with housing management issues and provide high quality support to women and children living in our refuges
• Collaborate across the organisation with all departments to achieve broader WWIN service objectives
• To ensure that the Service models, and interventions are delivered safely & appropriately and to oversee data collection, information management and communications systems
• To prepare reports, attend contract management meetings and put in place plans for remedial actions where required;
• To ensure our service users are involved in the ongoing improvement and evaluation of services

Financial Management:

• Effective management of the budget for WWIN’s refuge provision, and support the development of budgets for new and emerging asset and accommodation initiatives
• Analyse financial data and performance metrics to inform strategic decisions
• Ensure profitability and cost efficiency in all business development asset and accommodation activities

General:

• WWIN is committed to continuous organisation and employee development. The post holder is required to participate fully in all initiatives which facilitate continuous improvement in Service Quality Performance including employee performance.
• All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equal rights both in relation to employment issues and service delivery, and adhere to the polices of the organisation in the performance of their duties.
• This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications scales duties or responsibilities associated with the role. 

Person Specification

Essential:

• You will be a strong networker with evidenced experience of building relationships with a wide range of partners at a strategic level
• Experience of managing refuge, supported accommodation or within the housing sector
• You will bring a robust understanding of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls
• You will have a track record of safeguarding adults and children at a senior level and the experience and expertise required provide safeguarding and risk assessment guidance and advice across our accommodation team
• A commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion across all your work which you can demonstrate
• Excellent negotiation communication and interpersonal skills with a range of different stakeholders, internally and externally
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting and financial management
• Excellent project management and organisational skills
• Professional curiosity with the desire to understand the issues and identify solutions
• Strategic vision and the ability to think strategically and execute methodically
• Experience within a business development and strategic planning environment and/or strategic accommodation management
• An understanding of the policy landscape for supported accommodation legislation
• Fully supportive of the values, ethos and beliefs of WWIN
• Full Clean Driving Licence

Desirable:

• Experience of health and safety regulation and ability to oversee repairs, maintenance, procurement and environmental best practice

Special Requirements:

• Enhanced DBS
• Occupational Requirement (Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1) applies to this post.

Rewards and Benefits

We offer great employee benefits including:

• Competitive salary, WWIN adheres to the National Joint Council pay scales.
• Leave entitlement of 32 days (inclusive of statutory/bank holidays) with 1 additional day per year offered after each completed year of service.
• Focus on learning and development.
• Some flexible working in line with the business need.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Opportunity to join Blue Light Reward Scheme and ‘tickets for good’ for access to discounts on products, services and theatre visits
• Electric car charging points.
•  Membership of the NEST Pension Scheme

Most of all, we offer the opportunity to join a team of highly skilled and committed individuals who take great pride in offering excellent services in a supportive environment. Despite the difficult nature of the work, our staff enjoy coming to work, knowing what they do has great value.