WM Housing Group Director of Development Operations Recruitment Pack
Contents Introduction from Kevin Willetts Executive Director of Development and Procurement 3 What we do 4 Group structure and boards 4 Director of Development Operations profile and benefits package 6 Role Profile 6 Personal Qualities 7 Benefits 7 Role profile 8 What we need from a Director of Development Operations 8 How to apply 9 2
Introduction from Kevin Willetts, Executive Director of Development and Procurement Development is open for business Sometimes things happen that turn your world upside down. In the last year that s precisely what has happened to the world of affordable housing development. Every assumption and model that we have used for years has been changed. If change creates opportunity then we face a golden age for housing development. So let s get one thing straight. Our business strategy says we will continue to provide much needed new homes and, despite all that s happening in the world, that is precisely what we intend to do.the government has set out a new approach to housing that means we have to re-design how we can keep growing and providing homes for our customers. Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how something looks. But of course, if you dig deeper, it s really how it works. Those are the words of Steve Jobs, founder of Apple and seen by many as the guru on how to create superbly designed products. His ethos summarises perfectly our challenges in two areas. The first is about how we go about our work. We must do things differently. No ifs, buts or maybes we are in a time of fundamental change. Where do we source the funds to continue development? How do we make the best use of government proposals? What can we do to set us apart from the crowd? Above all how do we make the new world work for us, for our customers and for our funders? The second challenge relates to the homes we build. Houses are a collection of materials held together with cement, nails, screws and glue. They can be brilliantly energy efficient, light, spacious and perfectly functional but that only defines how they look. Making them work is the environment in which those amazing materials are placed, the scale and the surroundings. Our design ethos doesn t describe how we build houses it explains our approach to creating homes. Our test is simple; are these homes where people will want to live not just now but in the future? We think outstanding urban design hasn t actually changed that much in centuries. Successful designs, from Georgian squares to garden cities, are defined by the way that they use space and layouts that open onto each other and prevent people from turning their backs on their neighbours and isolating themselves behind high walls and fences. We want people to feel that we have captured this feeling of belonging, of place and above all of the comfort of being home; not just having a house or flat. Places where people want to call home and raise their families or just live at peace with themselves and their surroundings. Just for a moment, try and capture our two challenges in your own mind s eye. If, when you `ve finished, you have a smile on your face and think yes I want to be part of that, then we are on the same page. We want our people to get what we are trying to achieve because if they do then, probably, our customers will to. Rather than just fill in the form though, give me a call and let s chat through the role a bit more. I ll even let you know the package we re offering if you do. 3
What we do WM Housing Group is one of the largest and most successful housing groups in the Midlands providing around 30,000 homes with a turnover of 140 million per year. The Group operates through its subsidiaries of Whitefriars Housing, West Mercia Homes, Optima Community Association and Family Housing Association across the West Midlands in Coventry, Birmingham, Solihull and the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We want everything we do to help achieve our vision which is Creating places where people are proud to live and work. We are a business on the move. We have grown significantly since the formation of West Mercia Homes in 1998 into the WM Housing Group we are today. But one thing that has continued is our position as a strong and reliable partner in a climate of change and opportunity. The group comprises WM Housing Group Limited and the following registered provider subsidiaries: Whitefriars Housing Group Limited West Mercia Homes Limited Optima Community Association Family Housing Association (Birmingham) Limited. Group structure and boards WM Housing Group is a complex business with a number of different parts all working together to provide people with homes in places they are proud to live and work. The Executive management team of five, led by Kevin Rodgers, the Group Chief Executive, is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the Group. Overall responsibility for managing the Group rests with the Group Board. This comprises nine members and includes the Chairs of each of the individual member association boards as well as independent members who sit on the board because of their particular specialist skills that help us to manage our business to the highest standards. WM Housing Group comprises a number of individual organisations which create a federated operational structure. The WM Housing Group Board Members determine the overall strategy and direction of the organisation as a whole, and the subsidiary companies operate their housing and community services within that strategy. The group also consists of a number of non Registered Providers: Cornerstone Commercial Services Limited West Mercia Development Limited (Trading as Signature New Homes ) Attwood Green Estate Services Limited Whitefriars Business Services Limited WM Treasury PLC. 4
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Director of Development Operations profile and benefits package Role Profile Responsible to: Executive Director Development, Sales and Procurement Key purpose of the role: To implement the Group s development strategy. Ensure continual pipeline and delivery of a programme of affordable homes. To manage, lead and inspire the development team to ensure customer excellence. Key responsibilities 1. Ensure the Group has a pipeline which is in accordance with its Development Strategy. 2. Take overall responsibility for the pipeline of new schemes, in line with the strategy 3. Provide clear direction and manage support to the Business Development team as they deliver their targets for new opportunities. 4. Ensure the Group delivers its development programme and that of its external clients. Take overall responsibility for the delivery of the programme, including Homes and Communities Agencies (HCA) funded and S106 schemes and external client programmes. 5. Keep abreast of changes in contractual, legal, HCA and building regulations legislation and requirements. 6. Ensure the Group builds homes that are consistently well designed and cost effective, and that continuous improvement is implemented across the programme. Ensure continuity of design and product across the programme through adherence to WM Design Standards and standards are annually reviewed and updated. 7. Development of processes and procedures, including probity and adherence. Ensure that all development processes and procedures comply with Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. 8. Take responsibility for the compliance of development processes and procedures. Take regular advice from the team on changes to building regulations, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), HCA and other regulatory or funder s requirements. 9. Review and update the knowledge map and checklists/workflows bi-annually to ensure compliance and adoption of best practice including the following areas: procurement of contractors and consultants legal contracts including WM standard contract terms, appointment letter and warranties internal gateway processes including scheme approvals internal client requirement processes HCA requirements and compliance health and safety legislation planning policy and practice supported housing non standard products. 10. Manage the business development and project management team, ensure workloads are allocated accordingly and that the teams work closely together in the handover of schemes. 11. Ensure all staff within the team are developed professionally and personally. 12. Provide leadership to the Development team and play a part in the wider management and leadership of the team and support the Executive Director to lead the department. Lead and inspire the team to work to the highest standards of professionalism and customer excellence. 13. Write and present board papers as required. 14. Raise the profile of both the Directorate and the Group, internally and externally. Build positive, productive working relationships across the Group including senior managers and board members. 15. Support the Business Development and Project Management teams to build and maintain relationships and key contacts 6
within other directorates. 16. Take responsibility for the department s PR strategy both publicising the work internally and co-ordinating with the Communications team to contribute to raising the profile of the Group externally. 17. Lead on strategic projects in the department as and when required. Benefits Permanent Competitive executive salary, plus benefits. Learning and Development opportunities Contributory career average pension scheme. Personal Qualities Commitment to WM s Vision and Values Energy and enthusiasm Ability to lead and work as part of a team Hunger for learning and personal development Honesty and integrity Respect for diversity and value difference Track record of achievement 7
What we need from a Director of Development Operations Role profile 1 Strategic Leadership Able to lead, motivate, inspire and provide clear direction to team members, under pressure, in a constantly changing environment. Play an active role in the department s management team providing leadership across the team and Group. 2 Strategic Priorities Able to focus on strategic priorities without losing sight of non-critical issues. To plan ahead, keeping different priorities and varying pressures under control. Able to work within an environment where national, regional, Group and local priorities all have to be considered and balanced. 3 Operational Management Proven experience of managing a team including performance management systems. Setting and monitoring targets and allocating workloads to ensure the utilisation of relevant skills and experience. Empower the team through delegation. 4 Team Working Works effectively with colleagues within the team and across the Group. 5 Communication Demonstrates ability to absorb and distil complex information before effectively communicating it with a range of people and organisations. To present at board meetings and other key stakeholder events. 6 Education Educated to at least HNC/HND in an appropriate field. 6 Housing Development Proven experience of housing development and an understanding of the wider housing market and knowledge of current challenges and opportunities. 8 Regulatory and Legal Context Knowledge of HCA processes, procedures and regulatory requirements. Knowledge of building and legal contracts relating to the procurement of services and property and regulations. 9 Project Management Experience of project management techniques and processes. 10 Key Stakeholders Experience of working with architects, surveyors, contractors, the HCA, local authorities, stakeholders and residents. Ability to be inclusive to all stakeholders, both internal and external and maintain excellent working relationship with the Group s RP partners, the HCA and other stakeholders. 11 Innovation Able to find innovative solutions to difficult challenges. 12 Decision Making Able to make regular decisions which significantly impact both the Group s financial well being and reputation. Able to make sound commercially focussed decisions. On top of these qualities we want our new Director of Development Operations to be: Engaging and facilitative Innovative and able to operate in a changing environment Passionate about the objectives of the Development Team Able to see the big picture and ask insightful questions that add value 8
How to apply You can down load an application form from our website, which will ask you to tell us more about your skills, experience and why you want us to consider you for the role. It is important that your application highlights supporting evidence of how your previous experience and skills relate to the criteria outlined in the recruitment pack, especially the role profile. You will need to state if you are related to a Board Member, an existing employee or resident of WM Housing Group, and if you have any financial interest in the organisation. We also request that you complete the Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form. If you are invited for interview, you will be asked to bring along evidence of your professional qualifications as described on your application form. If you would like an informal and confidential discussion about the role and the competitive remuneration and benefits package available, please contact: Kevin Willetts 07581 119071 Closing date for applications: 29 February Interviews are scheduled for: 7 and 8 March Your application will be treated in the strictest of confidence. 9