Latent Defects Manager

Sovereign Housing Association Limited; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A housing association in Bristol is seeking a Latent Defects Manager to oversee customer care in defect resolution. The ideal candidate will understand building warranties, have practical experience in building pathology, and excel in communication and report writing. This role offers flexible, hybrid working arrangements with competitive benefits including paid wellbeing days and generous holiday allowances.

Benefits

Hybrid, flexible working

x3 paid wellbeing days per annum

25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

Generous pension scheme matching up to 12%

Life cover from day one

Qualifications

• Understanding of building warranties and contracts.
• Practical experience of building pathology of defects.
• Customer-focused mindset with a passion for delivering exceptional service.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Knowledge of construction technology and building pathology.
• Ability to interpret drawings and specifications.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Excellent time management under pressure.
• Proactive problem solver.
• Strong report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide detailed reports for pursuing developers and warranty claims.
• Assist in the review of new schemes' designs and specifications.
• Provide feedback on defect themes and trends.
• Monitor Contractors and Consultants.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder needs.
• Ensure customer satisfaction and quality targets are met.

Skills

Understanding of building warranties

Practical experience of building pathology

Customer-focused mindset

Strong attention to detail

Construction technology knowledge

Negotiation skills

Excellent time management

Proactive problem solving

Strong report writing skills

Proficient 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.

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.

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 customers 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
• Practical experience of building pathology of defects
• 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
• x3 paid wellbeing days per annum
• 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