Latent Defects Manager

Sovereign Housing Association Limited; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing association is seeking a Latent Defects Manager in Bristol. This role combines office and home working, requiring a customer-focused individual with strong negotiation and report writing skills. Responsibilities include investigating latent defects, liaising with stakeholders, and managing contractors. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented and have a good understanding of building warranties. Flexible working and generous benefits are offered.

Benefits

25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

Pension scheme matching up to 12%

Life cover upon joining

Recognition scheme with retail vouchers

Qualifications

• Strong negotiation skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing different forms of defects.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer care service for latent defects investigation.
• Prepare detailed reports to pursue warranty claims.
• Monitor contractors to ensure timely job completion.

Skills

Understanding of building warranties and contracts

Customer-focused mindset

Attention to detail

Construction technology knowledge

Negotiation skills

Time management

Proactive problem solving

Strong report writing skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity as a Latent Defects Manager, within our Built Environment Directorate, on a permanent basis.

You'll be based from our office in Bristol . This role will combine office and home working to ensure a positive work/life balance.

About SNG

It's an exciting time to be a part of the team as Sovereign have joined forces with Network Homes to form SNG (Sovereign Network Group). Together we provide over 84,000 homes and invest in communities across London and the South of England. Our purpose is to provide good affordable homes in thriving communities that people love for generations.

The Role

This role will be responsible for providing an exceptional customer care service for the investigation and resolution of latent defects raised outside of the DLP.

The Latent Defects Manager will liaise effectively with all internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the correct diagnosis of issues is determined, and a fair outcome is achieved for all parties, maintaining an excellent customer experience throughout.

Assist in the management and resolution of latent defects in accordance with SNG's procedures, including - liaising with residents and internal teams, conducting surveys and reporting on findings, liaising with consultants and specialist investigators to identify the problem and agree remedies, liaising with contractors and residents and managing the remedial process to completion.

Responsibilities include

• Provide detailed reports providing evidence to pursue developers and/or warranty claims under their contractual obligations, or to support internal teams to devise a programme of remedial works where a claim is not valid
• Assist in the review of new schemes' designs and specifications and prepare reports, identifying potential quality, design and specification issues.

• Provide feedback to internal teams on defect themes and trends, proposing solutions to common concerns to reduce repeat issues, reduce costs and help shape future design and specification

• Monitor Contractors and relevant Consultants to ensure that jobs are completed in line with agreed timescales.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder needs and expectations to deliver an excellent service.
• Assisting residents and colleagues with accurate defect diagnosis, to ensure the appropriate action is taken and the contractual obligations of the development contractors are upheld.
• Ensure customer satisfaction, defect and quality targets are met through effective communication with both internal and external stakeholders.

What we need from you

• Have an understanding of building warranties, contracts and how they differ between projects to understand and communicate the level of service to be provide
• Customer-focused mindset with a passion for delivering exceptional service
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Construction technology and building pathology knowledge with experience of managing different forms of defects/repairs
• Able to interpret drawings, specifications and other building contract documentation
• Good negotiation skills
• Excellent time management and ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure
• Proactive in problem solving
• Strong report writing skills, tailored to the end user
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office package especially Word, Excel, Outlook etc.

What we can offer

• Hybrid, flexible working
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• A chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package
• A generous pension scheme matching up to 12%
• Life cover as soon as you join us
• You will be a part of our Recognition scheme where you can be gifted retail vouchers

At Sovereign Network Group, we are passionate about inclusion for all and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are committed to our Equality Diversity and Inclusion strategy and believe that you can truly be yourself at SNG.

If you would like the opportunity to make a real impact within our changing and growing organisation, we would love to hear from you!