. WESTWARD HOUSING GROUP JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title : Location : Responsible To : Commercial Manager Templar House, Newton Abbot Group Director Development and Procurement Main Purpose of Job Deliver the Group s open market homes programme within budget and according to agreed timescales. Principal Tasks and Duties To identify opportunities and project manage the development and sale of homes on the open market. Deliver a profit on investment made by the Group. Procure and dispose the Company s commercial premises including offices. Secure appropriate sites Develop and maintain effective partnerships and alliances to provide the framework for identifying and delivering new opportunities. Identify appropriate sites for open market or mixed tenure schemes. The assessment will include development potential in terms of planning, technical and financial return. Secure appropriate legal interests in sites. Oversee the preparation, submission and securing of acceptable planning permissions. Project Management To project manage the delivery of new homes from identifying appropriate sites/opportunities to handover and sale of completed properties. To identify and mitigate risk in the development process
To be the Group s lead on matters related to Health and Safety issues for the open market programme. Appoint consultants and legal advisers as appropriate to assist in surveys, valuations, site investigations and design Ensure professional appointments and contractor selection are carried out in accordance with the Group s policies and European legislation Prepare tender and contract documents including the production of appropriate specifications for new homes for sale. Analyse and report on tender returns Recommend to board and oversee the procurement of suitable contracts to deliver new homes and act as client throughout the contracts. Value completed work and arrange payments Ensure that all statutory legal agreements are in place in a timely fashion Ensure post scheme reviews are undertaken to feed into reviews of standards and procedures. Identify emerging issues and opportunities with regard to commercial ventures that require analysis and possible action, assess, consider appropriate responses and present reports to the Group Director Development and Procurement for discussion. To keep up to date with new development and technical initiatives to improve construction and deliver value for money to the Group Ensure audits are completed satisfactorily. Ensure Procedures are appropriate and up to date. Financial Carry out risk and financial appraisals for all potential opportunities in accordance with the Groups policies and procedures. Monitor and manage costs throughout project in line with agreed budgets. Liaise with the Group s Finance Director, providing appropriate cashflow information and control Work in Progress expenditure in line with agreed cashflow profile Ensure regular progress, cost and profit reports on projects are available for the Group Director Development and Procurement Prepare and present reports to Boards where appropriate. Ensure post scheme reviews are undertaken to compare projected against out turn costs.
Sales and Marketing Working with the Sales and Marketing Officer, ensure market research is sufficient to inform mix, design, specification and price at appraisal stage. Agree sales strategy and monitor sales performance Commercial Premises Procure and dispose of the company s commercial premises both freehold and leasehold. Other duties as agreed with the Group Director Development and Procurement Group Competence Framework The Westward Housing Group has a Competence Framework that applies to all roles. This sets out behaviours that are expected of staff. Individual levels will be agreed as part of the appraisal process. The following competence applies to all staff: Behaving Professionally Demonstrates consistent commitment to Westward Values as stated below: Values Getting it right first time Fair and consistent Smart and lean Can-do approach Good to work with Equality and Diversity Demonstrates commitment to Equality and Diversity in line with Westwards Equality and Access policy Westward Policies and Procedures Maintain knowledge of Westward policies and procedures and follow relevant policies in day to day work. General Responsibilities: 1. Confidentiality The post holder must maintain confidentiality of information about staff and residents and the Group s business and be aware of the Data Protection Act 1998. 2. Standards of Business Conduct
The Group expects all employees to maintain the highest standards of personal and business conduct at all times. The Group staff handbook sets out the Group s expectations under sections: Code of Conduct and Declaration of Interests, copies are available from the Human Resources Department at Templar House, Newton Abbot. 3. Health & Safety All employees should be aware of the responsibility placed on them under the Health & Safety legislation, to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment. 4. Equality & Diversity The Westward Group is committed to treating all people with fairness and respect. We aim to actively help remove barriers and open doors for our customers and staff and foster good relations within the communities we serve. All employees are required to demonstrate their commitment to the Group s Equality and Access Policy and its values in the course of their day to day work. All employees must abide by the Group s Equal Diversity Policy and Strategy a copy is available upon request from the Human Resources Department at Templar House, Newton Abbot 5. No Smoking The Group operates a non-smoking policy in offices. 6. Training and Development To attend appropriate training courses and supervision meetings as required. 7. Communication To attend staff and team meetings. Purpose of a Job Description This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted. Job descriptions are reviewed and updated when considered necessary to reflect any changes to the job being done and to incorporate changes. Employees will be consulted on any changes in their job description in a meeting with their line manager. If agreement is not possible the Group reserves the right to insist on changes by adding to, taking away or substituting duties; provided that in doing so we do not change the fundamental nature of the post. August 2013
Qualifications and ability WESTWARD PERSON SPECIFICATION Post of Commercial/Project Manager ESSENTIAL Educated to degree standard or substantial experience in property development field IT Ability to proficiently use Microsoft Word and Excel Ability to use project management and financial modeling and monitoring software DESIRABLE Chartered membership of relevant professional body Experience/ Knowledge Experience of working in commercial residential sector Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of commercial residential property development and the market in which it operates Track record of effective risk management Proven track record in delivering outcomes directly Housing Association new build development Sales and marketing of homes for open market Site management experience Experience of Joint Ventures Proven ability to negotiate successfully in challenging circumstances Analytical and budgetary experience of assessing viability of property based transactions Responsibility for overseeing property transactions and liaison with solicitors concerning property matters Delivering implementable planning permissions Knowledge of different procurement routes and building contracts Effective building contract management including contractual issues, claims and disputes Experience of producing monitoring and managing effectively, detailed budgets and cashflows Implications of Health and Safety regulations on building sites
Relevant Skills Able to demonstrate negotiating skills and the ability to influence Strong project management skills with emphasis on delivery Ability to understand, produce and present complex information, including numerical and financial data Judgement and decision making ability Good listening and communication skills Effective networking which leads to positives outcomes Ability to write clear and concise reports Ability to represent the organisation externally Other Requirements Commitment to Equality and Diversity Confidence in public Drive, ambition and enthusiasm Work well in a changing environment Flexibility in working arrangements (willing to work outside normal working hours when needed) Ability to work with confidential information. Access to a vehicle to travel throughout the WHG area of operation Date: Aug 13
GENERAL INFORMATION POST OF COMMERCIAL MANAGER TEMPLAR HOUSE, NEWTON ABBOT The Westward Housing Group was formed in 2007 as the parent to the subsidiaries Westcountry Housing, which has been in existence since 1965, and Tarka Housing, Bideford, which was formed in December 2007 as a result of the transfer of properties and Housing Services employees from Torridge District Council. We also have responsibility for the delivery of the Homebuy agency services via South West Homes for the south west region. The Group is a not for profit registered social landlord, with charitable status. We are one of the largest developing housing groups in the south west with over 6,500 properties and an annual turnover in excess of 25 million. We provide a wide range of services for families, couples, single people, the elderly and those with additional support needs. 1. Closing Date for Receipt of Completed Application Forms This job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received 2. Interview Date To be advised 3. Salary Scale 49,000 rising to 50,000 per annum 4. Hours of Work 36.25 hours per week. 5. Annual Leave 30 days plus statutory (pro rata) Bank Holidays and Public Holidays (pro rata) 6. Pension Scheme A contributory staff pension scheme is available 7. Probationary Period Minimum six months 8. Location This post will be based at Templar House, Newton Abbot 9. Car Mileage The Group sets its own car mileage rates. Currently the amount payable is aligned with the Inland Revenue rate of 45p per business mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter 10. Smoking A no smoking policy is operated throughout all the Group s offices August 2013