National Contracts Manager

Respond; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 83,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing association is seeking a National Contracts Manager to ensure the management and delivery of property maintenance and procurement services. This role is pivotal in maintaining standards, managing budgets, and leading a team focused on delivering high-quality housing services. Successful candidates will possess a background as a chartered Quantity Surveyor with significant experience in the construction and building management sector, along with strong leadership and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• 10 years post-graduate experience in construction/building maintenance, including tendering/procurement.
• Knowledge of EU procurement procedures and contract administration.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical services officers and oversee maintenance programs.
• Supervise and appraise maintenance staff.
• Prepare and present reports and financial analyses.

Skills

Budgeting and financial administration

Human resource management

Maintenance planning

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MSCSI, MRICS or equivalent)

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Office

Job description

Respond is one of the largest housing associations in Ireland, providing social housing and homeless services. Our vision is that 'every family and individual in Ireland will have high-quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community'. We are growing rapidly in response to the housing crisis and are now looking for the right person who has the passion and skills to help us realise our vision.

Respond is committed to equal employment and growing a diverse workforce. If you do not "tick every box" there are likely other valuable attributes and skills that you have, that would make you a great fit for the organisation. We welcome applications from people of all cultures, nationalities, genders and from anyone who has historically faced social exclusion. If you feel this role is for you, then please apply.

Location: ROI Wide remit - Hybrid working

Reporting to: Head of Strategic Asset Management

Salary Range: €83,375 - €107,897 per annum (Please note that offers are typically made at the beginning to mid-range of the advertised salary, based on skills and experience)

Terms: Permanent Contract - 39 hours per week

Job Purpose:

The National Contracts Manager is responsible for the management of technical services officers, coordination and budgetary control of delivery of all property and maintenance services to ensure that property is sustained in a safe and reasonable manner and that all procurement undertaken is in accordance with best practice and where required complies with EU and Irish State guidelines as outlined by the Department of Environment and Department of Finance.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Head of Strategic Asset Management and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the National Contracts Manager will oversee all property and related maintenance programs including procurement:

• Must ensure that all operations are conducted in a respectful and responsible way, ensuring that all decisions and actions comply with the relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the repair and maintenance of buildings.
• Supervise and manage maintenance staff - Property Surveyors (and any other technical staff as directed by Director of Housing) and contractors is an effective manner.
• Respond to concerns and complaints of tenants in a positive and courteous manner.
• Assist in delivery of Respond! Housing Association's housing development programme, ensuring quality control and compliance with Government Procedures and Regulations.
• The post holder may be required to attend meetings during the evening or at weekends and may also be required to cover emergencies outside of normal working hours.
• Manage maintenance and repairs to the Association's housing stock.
  
  

Main Activities:

• Lead and manage the Maintenance Team, set objectives, priorities and deadlines, allocate and delegate projects as required by the Director of Housing to ensure the effective delivery of maintenance programmes.
• Monitor work for quality, resident satisfaction and satisfactory financial performance and provide the statistical data to evidence performance.
• Implement systems in order to continually drive improvements and value for money within the identified scope of works.
• Supervise, develop and appraise all members of the team. Assess training needs for the development and improvement of the service and arrange appropriate training. Provide leadership, guidance and technical advice to staff and residents, promote staff morale and workplace safety.
• Enable the design, construction, maintenance, repair and refurbishment of all properties and Lead projects from inception to completion and ensure that all team members work together for successful outcomes.
• Conduct inspections of property for needed services and repair, including managing and conducting stock assessment programmes and inspections.
• Coordinate emergency and regular repairs and coordinate repairs to buildings including liaise with all relevant parties, regulatory and statutory authorities, residents, clients and 3rd parties.
• Lead, develop and complete annual and five year programme for Stock Condition Surveys to inform provision of sinking funds for planned works programme and compliance of stock with regulatory standards.
• Ensure that buildings and project works conform to the latest Building Regulations and technical standards.
• Analyse and report on building defects; take particulars on site in relation to building performance and condition, write specifications, obtain estimates and costs advice.
• Supervise procurement and delivery of works, assign tasks and ensure schedules are maintained.
• Recognise and deal with language or any communication issues.
• Supervise work of external consultants and contractors and delegate responsibilities to other technical staff.
• Have the capacity to understand, analyse, document, administer and communicate issues, faults, problems and solutions to technical and non-technical personnel.
• Maintain the general administration, statutory compliance, quality assurance and protocol compliance and financial/budgetary compliance of the maintenance and inspection programme.
• Prepare annual budgets for and financial reports.
• Assist with preparation of Maintenance and Improvement Plans, establish preventative maintenance schedules.
• Prepare plans for projects, manage applicable projects, manage and administer contracts, keep logs and accurately input, track, analyse and interpret data using computerised maintenance management systems.
• Prepare and present reports and provide full accountability for the deployment, management and use of resources.
• Prepare procurement documentation, administer procurement systems, evaluate and award contracts and negotiate and administer contracts under the direction of the Director of Housing.
• Recommend the purchase of goods and equipment and maintain inventories.
• Liaise and negotiate with and provide reports to government agencies, departments and other organisations as required.
• Ensure records are maintained in line with the Associations IT packages - ActiveH, AutoCAD etc. Maintain working knowledge of Respond's IT systems.
• Assist Director of Housing to develop policies and protocols for asset management including implementation.
• Liaise with Finance Department on payments and invoices to Contractors.
  
  

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

• Assist in the procurement, assessment and appointment of project Design Teams.
• Assist in the procurement, assessment and appointment of Main Contractor's for new build and refurbishment projects.
• Undertake preparation of outline cost plans for new build and acquisition projects and assist in preparation of funding applications under CWMF including submission of cost plans.
• Assist in procurement and preparation of tender documents for new build and refurbishment projects, manage cost reporting and variations.
• Liaise with external consultants and internal technical staff to ensure project complies with budgets, specifications and delivery dates.
• Ensure that appropriate Health and Safety procedures are adhered to by consultants and contractors including relevant handover of Safety files and coordination of O&M training.
  
  

Essential Criteria/Education Qualification:

• Quantity Surveyor, preferably chartered - MSCSI, MRICS or equivalent.
• Contract document preparation in accordance with requirements of RIAI, GCCC and CWMF.
• Project Management and Contract administration including dispute management & resolution.
• Work and resource planning, programming and reporting.
• Evidence of continued professional development over the course of this work period including learning/training in relation to current legislation, construction regulations, safety health and welfare, procurement and contract administration.
  
  

Desired Knowledge and Skills:

The candidate must have proficient knowledge and proven experience in the following areas:

Knowledge:

• Budgeting and financial administration
• Human resource management
• Maintenance planning and administration
• Knowledge of and building technology, the construction industry and property
• EU procurement procedures, developing term and bespoke contracts
• Maintenance, construction law, contract law and contract administration
• Knowledge of fault finding, and repair/maintenance requirements in respect of property and its constituent components and elements,
• Knowledge of workplace safety health and welfare
• Inspection procedures and reporting, building maintenance
• Applicable legislation, regulations regulatory and advisory bodies and procedures
  
  

Skills:

• The incumbent must demonstrate the following skills.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Human resource management skills.
• Client service skills.
• Contract management skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent literacy and communications skills including a high level of it literacy and computer skills including the ability to operate the computerized maintenance management system and a capacity to work proficiently with MS office, excel, databases, AutoCAD
• Develop good working knowledge of ActiveH.
• Effective verbal and listening communications skills.
• Effective public relations and public speaking skills.
  
  

Personal Attributes:

• Maintain standards of conduct and work effectively as part of a wider team.
• Be respectful, honest, and trustworthy.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Be flexible and capable of working independently and to deadlines.
• Demonstrate a dedication to the position and the community.
• Demonstrate sound work ethics.
• Be consistent and fair.
• Have you own transport and have and maintain a clean driving licence.
  
  

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years post-graduate experience in construction/ building maintenance including involvement with tendering/procurement.
  
  

Closing date for applicants is Friday, 4th July 2025