Technical Moves Blog

Experienced Contracts Manager (Maintenance) – Cambridge – Salary circa £40,000

CHS Group is one of Cambridgeshire’s leading providers of high quality, affordable housing, and care and support services. Established in 1927 they are now in their 83rd year and continue to commit to providing a wide range of services to approximately 7,000 local people and families. They are an ambitious organisation and constantly examine possible new initiatives and opportunities that enhance the lives of the individuals and communities they serve. In 2010 they restructured the organisation and rebranded from Cambridge Housing Society to form CHS Group. The group provides a more dedicated and focussed approach to customers and incorporates CHS Homes which manages the properties, CHS People which provides care and support services, and Cambridge and County Developments which builds new affordable homes.

CHS Group is one of Cambridgeshire’s leading providers of high quality, affordable housing, and care and support services. Established in 1927 they are now in their 83rd year and continue to commit to providing a wide range of services to approximately 7,000 local people and families. They are an ambitious organisation and constantly examine possible new initiatives and opportunities that enhance the lives of the individuals and communities they serve. In 2010 they restructured the organisation and rebranded from Cambridge Housing Society to form CHS Group. The group provides a more dedicated and focussed approach to customers and incorporates CHS Homes which manages the properties, CHS People which provides care and support services, and Cambridge and County Developments which builds new affordable homes.

CHS provides and manages approximately 2500 homes, including general needs,, shared ownership, Extra Care Schemes, Sheltered Schemes, Older People’s Care Homes and a range of Supported Housing accommodation. They cover 6 Local authority areas across Cambridgeshire and northEssex. The majority of the stock has been built in the last 20 years. CHS takes pride in providing good quality homes which are well maintained and offer good value for money.

We are very pleased to be working alongside CHS Homes for the recruitment of new and key post within their Property Services Team. With an annual budget of approximately £2.5m, the team is responsible for providing an effective and high performing repairs and maintenance service through the management of Servicing, Repairs and Maintenance contracts. All works are provided through external contractors. Due to a recent restructure they are looking to recruit an experienced Contracts Manager to ensure the successful delivery of an effective and prompt customer-focused repairs and maintenance service through performance management of these contractors. In addition to contract management, the successful candidate will also develop and manage a designated group of staff within the Property Services Team

Principal Duties include:

• Overall management of the delivery of  repairs and maintenance services within agreed budgets, standards, and timescales
• Oversee management of the Servicing, Repairs and Maintenance Contracts on behalf of CHS, ensuring compliance with agreed Service Standards, and Health and Safety
• Assisting in design and review of the services provided
• Provide regular reports to the Managers, Directors, Board and Committee on the services performance
• Manage appointed consultants in delivering the agreed services and within the agreed framework
• Obtain contractor performance reports, recommending any necessary changes with the contractors to improve service delivery, including re-tendering where necessary.
• Attend regular meetings with contractors, external consultants, and internal and external customers
• Ensure repairs and maintenance services are delivered in line with the Asset Management Strategy
• Ensure stock condition data is regularly updated in line with the targets agreed in the Asset Management Strategy.
• Responsibility for the day-to-day line management of the Property Services Surveyors. This includes career development & identifying training needs/develop plans.

This is a key position and candidates must be able to demonstrate the following to be considered

• Previous experience in successfully leading and managing a maintenance or project team who deliver against objectives
• Experience of working in partnership with external contractors and internal teams to deliver service
• Proven track record of managing a comprehensive and complex building maintenance service within a customer-focused environment
• Experience of involving customers in the design and delivery of the services provided within set targets, ensuring value for customers
• Knowledge and experience of contract management and budgetary control with the ability to supervise and effectively manage maintenance contracts
• A thorough understanding of Health and Safety legislation relating to CDM Regulations
• Sound understanding of repairs and maintenance services
• Proven ability to deliver against agreed objectives and targets
• Ability to manage multiple projects, demonstrating sound contract and project management skills
• Sound knowledge of contract management and budgetary control
• Excellent communication skills in person, in writing and on the telephone with customers, employees and external agencies, contractors and consultants
• Ability to organise own workload whilst managing work schedules of others.

In return they are offering a generous salary circa £40,000, together with benefits package which includes a car user allowance, free parking, pension, and 30 days paid leave (including bank holidays).

TO APPLY

If you feel you can demonstrate the required skills and experience, please Click here to apply to be considered for the next stage of the recruitment process. You should relate your skills, knowledge and experience to the job description and person specification, detailing why you should be considered for this opportunity. Please note that Technical Moves have been instructed as the partnering recruitment consultancy on this appointment. We will be coordinating the full recruitment process on behalf of CHS Group and any applications that are sent directly to CHS will be forwarded to Technical Moves