Head of Asset Management & Compliance

We have a fantastic opportunity for an exceptional individual to join us as our Head of Asset Management & Compliance!

This newly created role is within Building Services of the Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services Directorate. The service is responsible for the ongoing repair, maintenance and statutory compliance of our stock of over 15,000 Council homes, 2,000 leasehold properties as well as nearly 900 corporate assets located in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.

The role sits in a new service area within the Directorate and whilst some of the roles are in place, you will play an important role in recruiting to and shaping the new service area, providing strategic leadership, developing and implementing new strategies and polices, and managing a period of significant change.

The majority of our housing stock was constructed in the 1950's and 1960's but we have a diverse portfolio with properties ranging from the Victorian era to new build properties alongside an ongoing development programme consisting of over 500 homes in the pipeline.

Nearly a third of the stock is of non-traditional construction and we have 22 blocks classified as taller buildings under the Building Safety Act. We have recently completed a stock transfer, acquiring over 800 properties expanding our stock holding within Havant, Gosport, Fareham and Winchester.

Due to the stock profile and age, alongside increasing regulation and new legalisation, we are at a pivotal point in the strategic management of our stock. With limited opportunities to increase the funding envelope alongside increasing demand it will be vital that you are able to drive efficiency in how our stock is maintained and managed.

You will play a vital role in the development of a new Asset Management Strategy, shaping its future direction to ensure that we are able to maintain both an economically and environmentally sustainable Housing Revenue Account (HRA) that can provide homes to allow our residents to live well in, whilst ensuring that we continue to meet our statutory compliance obligations across our entire property portfolio including both HRA and General fund assets.

You will report to the Assistant Director of Building Services and play a key role in the senior management team working closely with other Heads of Service within Building Services and more widely across the Directorate. You will provide strategic leadership in the development of Building Services along with high-level support and advice to members.

We pride ourselves on our cross working with other Directorates within the Council and you will need to develop effective relationships with a of key Corporate stakeholders within our Economy, Transport & Planning; Culture, Leisure & Regulatory Services; and Education.

Whilst the service area is being developed, below is a high-level summary of the core functions that sit under the Head of Asset Management and Compliance:

Asset Management - responsible for the collection of data and management of relevant stock databases undertaking stock condition surveys and producing EPCs. The team use data analysts to interrogate data and produce compliance and service measures across the Directorate to inform decisions around our buildings.

Building Safety - responsible for ensuring that duties required under the Building Safety Act 2022 are met. This includes the preparation of Building Safety Cases for our taller buildings, undertaking of FRA's for all relevant buildings and the management of actions arising from them.

Compliance - responsible for ensuring all statutory compliance duties are met. Management of our gas servicing & repairs contract as well as our commercial mechanical & electrical servicing and repairs contract. Also within this service area are Water Quality Engineers, Asbestos Surveyors and Lift servicing & repair.

Building Procurement and Framework Management - responsible for leading the procurement of strategic service contracts across Building Services and the establishment and ongoing management of various consultant & construction Frameworks to support the overall operation of the service.

The role will be challenging, however, it represents an exciting opportunity to play a significant part in shaping the future direction of the Councils housing stock and bring change and modernisation to the service to ensure a sustainable portfolio.

We really appreciate our employees and fully realise they are essential to our success and look to offer an inclusive, supportive working environment where employees can reach their potentials with a healthy work life balance, offering the following rewards:

• A generous pension scheme


• Relocation scheme may be available for the right candidate


• Up to 31 days annual leave per year pro rata + bank holidays


• Flexible / hybrid working where appropriate


• A range of retail discounts via our reward portal offering discounts at retailers including IKEA, Currys, Tesco


• Free Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing support


• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities including apprenticeships


• Potential to purchase additional annual leave


• Business travel support and initiatives, including bike loans