October 2017
Dear Applicant
Post Title / Head of Construction Services / Hours Per Week / 36.25Company / Longhurst Group / Location / Negotiable
Thank you for your interest in the vacancy above, should you wish to apply please complete our online application form.
Please do not submit your CV as this will be removed prior to short listing and not taken into consideration.
Please refer to the Job description and Person specification for details about this particular vacancy. Further information about working for the Longhurst Group of Companies can be found within this pack or on our website: www.longhurst-group.org.uk
If you are successful in being selected for interview, we will email you to confirm the time and location of your interview, please also monitor your junk emails as it has been known for our emails to end up in this folder. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to interview everyone who applies for employment within the Group.
If you feel you have the qualities and attributes we are looking for with this vacancy, please return your application as soon as possible. The closing date for this vacancy 24 November 2017.
If you do not receive a response to your application, you can assume that your application has been unsuccessful. It is the organisation’s policy not to confirm receipt of application forms or non-selection for interview.
Please note that Interviews for this post will be held on 6 December 2017.
If you have any questions about our recruitment process, please contact a member of the HR team on 01205 319623.
Yours sincerely
Human Resources
Longhurst Group
Additional Information
Equal Opportunities
The Longhurst Group is an equal opportunities employer and it is the policy of the Group to provide equality of opportunity to all, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religious belief, marital status/civil partnership, disability or age.
Information you supply to us on these issues will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only.
Data Protection Act 1988
In relation to the Data Protection Act 1988, we ask you to provide certain personal data on the application form. This information is used for statistical purposes only, in relation to equal opportunity monitoring, best practice and the law. Longhurst Group conforms to requirements under the Data Protection Act and all unsuccessful applications are confidentially stored and destroyed after 6 months.
Pre Employment Checks
In accordance with our recruitment policy, the successful applicant will be offered the position, subject to satisfactory employment references and may be subject to Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) clearance, (formerly CRB).
Recruitment and Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders
A request for standard/enhanced disclosure of information from the Disclosure Barring Service may be made. Please note: the disclosure will list both spent and unspent convictions.
Longhurst Group adhere to the Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice and, as such, a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment. A copy of the Code of Practice and our Policy is available upon request. Alternatively further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found here.
Applicants with Disabilities
Longhurst Group is committed to the employment of disabled people. We will offer an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the job.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 defines a person as having a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.
If you are selected for interview, you should inform us if you have any particular requirements for interview or selection test, such as building access.
APPOINTMENT OF: Head of Construction Services
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
1. The annual salary will be up to: £58,725 pa (starting salary subject to qualifications / experience) payable monthly on or immediately prior to the 25th of each month direct into your bank account.
2. The possession of a valid UK driving licence is essential for this post. A mileage allowance is paid for which details will be available on appointment.
3. Salaries are reviewed in April of each year.
4. The post-holder will be required to work 36.25 hours per week.
5. Annual leave 25 days and 3 Concessionary days per annum plus statutory bank holiday, increases to 30 days after 5 years’ and 10 year’s service up to 31 days. Please note this entitlement would be pro-rota if working part-time hours.
6. Where appropriate appointments are subject to an appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service check and the receipt of 2 references which the organisation deems satisfactory, and a 6-months’ probationary period, during which you will be expected to demonstrate your suitability for the post.
7. Membership of a contributory pension scheme is offered to all staff. Details of which will be supplied on appointment.
8. Longhurst Group of Companies operate an ‘occupational sick’ pay scheme, which applies to employees following completion of their 6-month probationary period of service.
9. Two month’s notice of termination of employment by the postholder.
JOB DESCRIPTION – HEAD OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
DEPARTMENT: Portfolio Investment
LOCATION: Office Based (and to be visible at all locations)
LINE MANAGER: Director of Development & Sales
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Construction Services Team
SALARY: £58,725 per annum
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
Working as part of the Directorate to lead and manage the delivery through to completion of all Longhurst Group development projects, cost-effectively, on time and to the required quality standards.
CORE TASKS
A) Contribute to the overall operation and strategic development of Longhurst Group. Communicate ownership of the corporate vision, values and key messages and promote the effective corporate working of the organisation.
B) Develop, implement, deliver and review the service strategy and operational plans for the Construction service ensuring that key performance indicator targets are met and reported on. Inspire confidence in a vision of continuous improvement and corporate and service success.
C) Keep abreast of economic, legislative and social development. Be responsible for the Group’s compliance with all necessary legal requirements commensurate with this role to minimise or alleviate risk.
D) To work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that projects are planned and delivered to departmental quality standards. Represent the Group with internal and external stakeholders, attending meetings and conferences as necessary.
E) Champion the Portfolio Investment department. This entails assessing and managing your team to continually improve processes and outcomes. Monitor service provision and ensure any relevant research and analysis required is undertaken
F) Manage the budget in accordance with Longhurst Group’s financial regulations, seek additional funding and report your income/expenditure as required. Ensure value for money is a key aim.
G) Develop a high performing, highly engaged staff team, promoting a culture of excellent customer service. Provide effective leadership, support and motivation to staff in the teams reporting to you, ensuring all staff are recruited, trained, managed, appraised and developed in accordance with internal and statutory procedures.
KEY TASKS
1. Lead the Construction Services team, managing the Employers Agents, Building Surveyors, and the Clerks of Works.
2. Manage projects as Employers Agent.
3. Manage (for the Blue Skies consortium) the procurement frameworks for contractors and consultants; including measurement of performance and quality.
4. Undertake Employers Agent duties for Group companies.
5. Procure development projects to high standards, implement sustainability initiatives and to meet specified time, cost and quality targets.
6. Proactively consider the needs and requirements of internal and external stakeholders.
7. Prepare and present reports to Boards and senior managers, and to provide services and advice.
8. Contribute to the review of key development policies and documents such as the consultant’s brief, consultant and contractor selection.
9. Manage and monitor the EU compliant procurement frameworks for the Blue Skies consortium.
10. Achieve the audit requirements of the Homes and Communities Agency, funders, internal auditors and others.
11. Manage the departmental budget, monitoring external fee income against targets.
12. Lead, manage and develop the team responsible for Construction Services.
13. Lead by example to manage and influence colleagues’ performance to ensure that expectations are clear, poor and mediocre performance is tackled, and strong performance is recognised.
14. Work with Director of Development and Sales to improve operations, ensuring that appropriate resources are devoted to streamlining work processes and working cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless services.
15. Represent the Group with internal and external stakeholders, attending meetings and conferences as necessary.
16. To carry out any other duties as appropriate to this post, as necessary or as requested.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
17. To demonstrate and champion the core competencies/behaviours of the Group.
18. To work within all Group policies and procedures, providing a high quality service and to always have a high regard for the Equality and Diversity Policy.
19. To respect confidentiality at all times and abide by the requirements set out in the Data Protection Act 1998.
20. To observe all of the Group’s Health and Safety policies, procedures and processes and take all reasonable care to promote Health and Safety for all.
The above does not constitute an exhaustive list of duties. The post holder may be required to perform any reasonable tasks commensurate with the level of responsibility at the request of their Manager. Duties may vary as and when localised procedures are updated or renewed with varying local authorities that Longhurst Group works with. Longhurst Group reserves the right to alter the content of this job description to reflect changes to the organisation or the services it provides.
Creation Date: February 2016
Review Date……………………………………………
To be reviewed as part of the annual review process
PERSON SPECIFICATION – HEAD OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
The ‘Core Behaviours’ competency framework outlines the key expectations of all Longhurst Group staff. Used together, the Person Specification and Core Behaviours will ensure new Heads of Services will exhibit the strategic competencies required for this role. / Essential/Desirable / Application / Test / Interview
A) Education, qualifications and training: Strategic
i) Degree level education or equivalent through relevant training/experience / Essential / ü
ii) Relevant professional qualification or an equivalent leadership qualification. / Desirable / ü
B) Core Behaviours: Strategic
1) Understanding the organisation
Understands the organisation and the relationship between Longhurst Group, the community and the environment. Contributes effectively within the Group engages positively with stakeholders at local/regional and national level. / Desirable / ü / ü
2) Delivering excellent customer service
Ensures the delivery of service meets customer requirements, internal and external / Essential / ü
3) Communication
Communicates with others using techniques appropriate to the situation and uses skills to build and maintain relationships. / Essential / ü / ü
4) Innovation/change
Looks for new ways to improve working methods and initiatives to carry the organisation forward. / Essential / ü
5) Working together
Forms working relationships with others inside and outside the organisation and openly promotes and values diversity / Essential / ü
6) Leadership
Promotes effective performance through self-development and by motivating and supporting others. / Essential / ü / ü
C) Job Specific Knowledge, Experience & Understanding
Demonstrable experience of working on construction sites / Essential
Demonstrable understanding of CDM Regulations / Essential
Demonstrable understanding of Construction Contract Administration / Essential
Demonstrable experience of defect recognition / Essential
Demonstrable understanding of HCA requirements throughout contracts / Desirable
Demonstrable understanding of Code for Sustainable Homes / Desirable
Demonstrable track record of supporting Boards and Committees to enable fulfilment of construction obligations / Desirable
d) Ability & Skills /
Highly organised and efficient / Essential
Able to provide a clear overview of complex issues and provide sound, professional and reliable advice / Essential
Able to understand and interpret complex information, balancing short and long term issues and pressures / Essential
Ability to manage resources effectively / Essential
Business acumen and commercial awareness, including business risks/ rewards and continuous improvement / Essential
Critically evaluates options and solutions, assessing and balancing risks / Essential
Demonstrates strong, solutions focussed and inspirational leadership skills / Essential
Handles pressures of meeting targets and deadlines, and manages conflict
Demonstrates drive and determination and is self-motivated and outward looking / Essential
Essential
Able to present self in a professional, business like and competent manner / Essential
Seeks feedback to continuously improve and learn / Essential
e) Equality & Diversity
Ability to demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs / Essential
Champions the organisation’s values / Essential
Ensures equality of opportunity for all people as employees or customers / Essential
Creates an environment where all staff can thrive and reach their potential / Essential
Recognises and reflects the diversity of the communities where the organisation works / Essential
Signature: ……………………………………….. Date: …..…………………..